VOLUNTEERING: REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVAL PROCESS

 

  

Have you received a Safe Environment Re-Certification Letter? It's an easy process! See the instructions on the back of your letter and click here to get started!

 

 

In August 2007, the Diocese of St. Petersburg changed school volunteer vetting requirements. The change canceled the volunteer status of all formerly-vetted MHR volunteers and modified the requirements for new volunteers. 

Any volunteers vetted before August 2007 and not re-vetted since must complete a "Level II" background screening. This means that even for those who already had an approved volunteer application on file, had completed Safe Environment Program training, and had completed the previous Level I background check, the school is not permitted to keep the name on the volunteer list without a new "Level II" background check with fingerprints.

New volunteer candidates must also complete this check with fingerprints as well as the previously-required Safe Environment Program training and other administrative items including the written volunteer application vetting process. 

No one may work with MHR children until references are processed, the "Safe Environment Program" training is taken, and a "Level II" background check has been completed.  "Working with children" means being in a position to supervise the children. Traveling as a chaperone on a field trip is "working with children." Manning the ring-toss booth at Fall Fest is not--children are under the supervision of their own parents at such events. 

The Volunteer Process

Formerly-vetted volunteers must contact the school office to get an information authorization form and a harassment policy form. When both forms and a $50 fee are returned to the school office, the volunteer then schedules fingerprints through the Diocesan contractor web site. At the fingerprint appointment, the volunteer also signs a "VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement" which triggers the actual background check. The school office then notifies the volunteer upon re-approval. 

New volunteer-candidates must contact the school office to get an information authorization form, a harassment policy form, and a reference package to complete. After all forms and a $50 fee are returned to the school office, the volunteer-candidate schedules fingerprints through the Diocesan contractor web site. At the fingerprint appointment, the volunteer-candidate also signs a "VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement" which triggers the actual background check. The volunteer-candidate may then take the Safe Environment Program course. After the volunteer-candidate submits a copy of the Safe Environment Program course completion certificate to the school office, the school office will confirm the volunteer's addition to the approved volunteer list.

Safe Environment Program

Safe Environment Program training can generally be obtained through one's home parish, other local parishes, or at certain other venues. As a rule, the training takes from 2 to 4 hours with, in some cases, a nominal fee for materials, facilities, and refreshments. From time to time, MHR will try to consolidate and forward information on upcoming training opportunities, as may the Diocese of St. Petersburg (look in the "SEP Training Locations" box). Once the training is complete, volunteers should keep the original certificate and forward a copy to the MHR School office. If one has already completed the training in fulfillment of some other organization's requirement, it need not be re-accomplished for MHR. However, to work with MHR children the school must have a copy of the certificate even if it was already provided to other organizations.

New Volunteer Checklist:

R     Read the Volunteer Handbook.

R     Submit to the school office:

- A completed Volunteer Application form.

- A signed Authorization form.

- A signed Harassment policy acknowledgement form (be sure to read the harassment policy).

- A check for $50 ( payable to Most Holy Redeemer School).

R     Schedule fingerprinting through the Diocesan contractor web site. At your appointment, you will sign a "VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement" which will initiate your background check.

R     After you have been fingerprinted, you can register to take the Safe Environment Program course. Check with your parish or go to the Diocesan website  (in the "SEP Training Locations" box) for dates and locations.

R     Send a copy of your safe environment course completion certificate to the school office.

The school office will notify you when you have received final approval.

Previously Approved Volunteer Checklist:

R     Submit to the school office:

- A signed Authorization form.

- A signed Harassment policy acknowledgement form (be sure to read the harassment policy).

- A check for $50 (payable to Most Holy Redeemer School).

R     Schedule fingerprinting through the Diocesan contractor web site. At your appointment, you will sign a "VECHS Waiver Agreement and Statement" which will initiate your background check.

The school office will notify you when you are re-approved.

For More Info . . .

For the latest information on Diocese child protection compliance in general, extensive original policy documentation, Diocese contact information, perspective from the national level, the genesis of the Safe Environment Program and highlights from its syllabus, and a number of useful Internet links, see the Diocese Safe Environment Program home page. 

To Summarize . . .

. . . volunteers may not begin work with the children until they have had their volunteer application approved, we have their "Safe Environment" documentation on file, and their "Level II" background check has been completed. MHR appreciates the cooperation of all concerned in complying with these requirements.

2010  - 2011