Clearances & Safe Enviroment guide
Dear Parish Volunteer,

First, thank you for stepping up to volunteer to serve the children of our parish. We truly appreciate those that give of their time and talent to help in our various ministries here at Saint Alphonsus. Since we are a parish under the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Archdiocesan policy requires that volunteers who may have any possible contact with children obtain the following clearances and provide documentation to the rectory to be kept on file:
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Clearance (must be within 5 years)
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (must be within 5 years)
- Safe Environment Seminar; Part 1; Protecting God’s Children – this is an “in-person” course that is offered at various locations throughout the archdiocese
- Safe Environment; Part 2: Mandatory Reporter Training – this is an online module that takes about 1 hour to complete – can be done in 3 intervals
- Signed Disclosure Statement
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance (only required if you have lived in PA less than 10 years)
In the following section, I am including links to help you get started on these clearances. These are to be obtained prior to beginning your volunteer in your ministry. If you have any concerns about the timing of these or any problems in completing them, please don’t hesitate to contact me by emailing me at [email protected] or at I can be reached by phone at 215-646-4600 as well. I would be happy to help answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Theresa Murray
Safe Environment Coordinator
Saint Alphonsus Parish

Required clearances of all Parish Volunteers working with children:
1. Criminal Background Check - link: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
After completing this form, please mail it to the address provided to you. Responses will come in the mail. Retain the original and send a copy to the rectory. Renewed every 5 years.
1. Child Abuse Clearance – link: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
After completing this form, please mail it to the address provided to you. Responses will come in the mail. Retain the original and send a copy to the rectory. Renewed every 5 years.
1. Safe Environment Part 1; Protecting God’s Children Seminar – link: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theOrgID=18461&theme=0
After you attend the one-time training session, you will get a certificate of completion. Please send a copy to the rectory.
1. Safe Environment Part 2; Mandatory Reporter Training – link: https://learning.childyouthprotection.org/login/index.php
You will need to create an account with a username and password, and proceed through the training session online. When you have finished the training, you will need to print out the certificate of completion. Please send a copy to the rectory.
1. Disclosure Statement – link: https://childyouthprotection.org/docs/disclosure%20statement%20volunteers.pdf
Please print out, read, and send a signed copy to the rectory. You may access your certificate for duplicate printing/viewing at www.virtus.org.

All documents can be emailed to tmurray@stalphonsusparish.org or dropped off at the rectory upon completion. The rectory is open from 9-5 pm, Monday through Friday. If sending by mail, please address as follows:
St. Alphonsus Rectory
Attn: Safe Environment Coordinator
33 Conwell Drive; Maple Glen, PA 19002