The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is committed to preventing sexual misconduct or sexual abuse by any diocesan personnel and shall establish a Safe Environments Program to ensure the safety of ministry, education, work, worship and fellowship for all persons. For the purposes of this policy, the term “personnel” shall mean clergy and members of religious orders, any diocesan, parish or school employee, volunteer or contractor.
Diocesan personnel are screened to ensure a Safe Environment.
- Screening and selection practices comply with all applicable laws
- Descriptions of roles reinforce each person’s responsibility to protect and report
- Applications provide a detailed personal history of each applicant
- Prior criminal records must be disclosed, in advance, by the applicant
- Candidates undergo background checks, reference checks and interviews
- Defined hiring of employees, contractors and volunteers (non-paid) exclusions guide the selection process
- Clergy undergo additional requirements regarding suitability to work with youth and vulnerable persons
- The dioceses shall maintain a permanent record of all screening documents.
The diocese shall require the following types of clearances per role:
For all clergy, members of religious orders, diocesan and parish employees:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance (Act 114), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Clearance (Act 34), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), renewed every five (5) years
- National Background Check: National Criminal History Record Search (name-based), National Sexual Offender registry search (name-based) and Social Security Number Verification
For all diocesan school educators, staff and employees (adult):
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance (Act 114), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Clearance (Act 34), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), renewed every (5) years
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (Act 24), renewed every five (5) years
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Sexual Misconduct/Abuse disclosure Release (under Act 168 of 2014)
- National Background Check: National Criminal History Record Search (name-based), National Sexual Offender registry search (name-based) and Social Security Number Verification
For all adult unpaid volunteers (diocesan school, parish and youth activity) who have continuously lived in Pennsylvania for the past ten (10) years:
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Clearance (Act 34), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), renewed every five (5) years
- CPSL Disclosure Statement application for volunteers, renewed every five (5) years
- Arrest/Conviction Report (under Act 24 of 2011 and Act 82 of 2012)
- National Background Check: National Criminal History Record Search (name-based), National Sexual Offender registry search (name-based) and Social Security Number Verification
For all adult unpaid volunteers (diocesan school, parish and youth activity) who have not continuously lived in Pennsylvania for the past ten (10) years:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance (Act 114)
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Clearance (Act 34), renewed every five (5) years
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), renewed every five (5) years
- Arrest/Conviction Report (under Act 24 of 2011 and Act 82 of 2012)
- National Background Check: National Criminal History Record Search (name-based), National Sexual Offender registry search (name-based) and Social Security Number Verification