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Youth Protection
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NOTE
To report suspected abuse of a minor, call the toll free PA Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-932-0313. To report suspected abuse of a minor by a church official, employee or volunteer, also please call the Diocese of Harrisburg Youth Protection toll free number: 1-800-626-1608 or email [email protected]
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If you are over the age of 18, have graduated from High School, and want to volunteer in the Parish then you need to go through the Diocesan Child Protection Process. Reasons for pursuing getting your clearances include:
- If you want to help with Youth Ministry, VBS, Youth Choir, Religious Education, or Elementary Ministry activities.
- If you want to be able to chaperon trips involving youth, such as Steubenville, Fan the Fire, the Family Ard's trip, etc.
- If you want to keep your options open for volunteering to help with Parish ministries.
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Pursuing your clearances involves just a few simple steps listed below:
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Step 1
Complete, print, and sign the Diocesan Disclosure Statement. This form can be filled out on line, and is automatically returned to Sacred Heart with no need to print the form. Any line on this form that is not applicable to you, fill in with N/A.
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Step 2
Complete the Diocesan On-Line Training Course. There is no test, but it will take 3 hours to complete. You can save and do the training in sessions. For directions on how to access and complete the training, please see this document. You can access the starting point for the course registration at https://safeyouth.hbgdiocese.org.
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Step 3
Apply for PA State Police background check. This takes just a couple minutes and can be completed here. If you need directions, you can find directions here.
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Step 4
Apply for PA Child Welfare Clearance (Child Abuse Background Check).
- Here is the website to complete the check.
- Here are directions for the website.
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Step 5
Complete the FBI fingerprinting process only if you meet the following three criteria:
1. You are an upaid Volunteer.
2. You are not volunteering in a school setting.
3. You have lived in PA continuously for less than 10 years.
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Step 6
Put the following documents in an envelope:
- A State Police Certificate stating "No Record Found."
- A Childline Certificate stating "No Record Found."
- Your Diocese Disclosure Statement.
- The Certificate from your 3 hour training.
- Your fingerprint results (If applicable).Then mail these all to:
Sacred Heart Parish
814 St. Louis St.
Lewisburg PA 17837
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