Safe Environment Program Requirements
For IHM Staff and Volunteers
The mission of the NY Archdiocese's Safe Environment Program is to ensure the safety of children and young people who have been entrusted to our care in our parishes, schools, religious education classes, CYO, and other programs.
The NY Archdiocese Safe Environment Program requires that all Staff and Volunteers who work with minors complete the following forms and training:
1. Authorization for Background Check
2. Safe Environment Questionnaire
3. VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children" training class for Staff or Safer Spaces Training for Volunteers.
REQUIRED FORMS:
Please print, complete and submit the two forms listed below to your Safe Environment Administrator:
1.) Archdiocesan non-financial Authorization for Background Check Form
The Background Check Authorization Form must be completed by all staff and volunteers before they start working with minors. It authorizes the Archdiocese to conduct a background check to verify an applicant's identity and to determine if he/she has a criminal record. A new background check is required every six years, or sooner, if new information deems it necessary.
2.) Safe Environment Questionnaire
The Safe Environment Questionnaire must be completed by all staff and volunteers before they start working with minors. This questionnaire requires the signer to provide information and acknowledge that he/she received and understands the Archdiocese of NY's Policy on Sexual Misconduct Summary and the Code of Conduct.
The Parish Safe Environment Administrator will send the background check form to the Archdiocese for processing.
REQUIRED VIRTUS TRAINING FOR STAFF:
The "VIRTUS: Protecting God's Children" training class is required for the all staff.
See here for more information: https://www.archny.org/virtus
REQUIRED SAFER SPACES TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS:
1.) Review Annual Child Protection Briefing