School Volunteers

VIRTUS Program - Required for all volunteers

Our school community is very appreciative of our volunteers’ dedication. We are truly blessed to have such a vibrant and caring community. The Diocese of Cleveland has recently revised their requirements for those who volunteer in the school or for school related activities. Below is a summary of the Diocesan mandated requirements that anyone who works with our school children must comply with.

VIRTUS TRAINING PROGRAM

Training

EVERYONE who works with our children or volunteers in ANY way needs to complete this diocesan training. This includes those who volunteer in the Library, Computer Lab, Cafeteria, or any other classroom for various activities (field trips, parties, etc.); as well as, those who help with our Accelerated Reader program and PTU members and others who volunteer at events/functions. Information about how to register and where upcoming sessions will be held can be found at: www.clevelandchildprotection.org.

Child Protection In-Service, Policies, and Acknowledgement Forms

Further, employees, coaches, scout leaders, assistants, and those who volunteer on a regular basis (defined as at least 1 hour/week or 4 hours/month) must complete the following requirements in addition to Virtus Training:

1. View the online video series, “Child Protection Policy In-Service” found on the diocesan website, http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/childprotection . There are three videos in the series- “Intro and Updates”, “Social Media Policy”, and “Background Screens”. All three videos are to be viewed.
2. Following the video in-service, there are two written policies that must be read in their entirety:Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse (Revised June 2016) and Standards of Conduct for Ministry (Revised June 2016). These documents can be found at http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/childprotection and are also in the School Office.
3. Following viewing the video in-service and reading both Diocesan policies, you must print off and sign the acknowledgment forms found at the end of each policy. Please turn those completed and signed acknowledgement forms into the School Office to be kept on file.
   

Background Checks Completed by BCI and FBI

In addition, employees, coaches, scout leaders, assistants, and those who volunteer on a regular basis (defined as at least 1 hour/week or 4 hours/month) must submit a current background check done through both BCI and FBI databases. A current background check is one that includes both BCI and FBI clearance and has been done within the last five years. If you are lacking one of the department checks (BCI/FBI) or your prints were done more than five years ago (2011), you must complete a background check through BOTH BCI and FBI to be in compliance with this revised Diocesan safety policy. Here are a few resources for completing background checks: www.attorneygeneral.gov, www.hondros.com, www.fastfingerprints.com, also the Ohio BMV website (www.ohiobmv.com) and look for locations with “webcheck” services. Wherever you go to get them done, you will give the school’s name and address as the recipient of the background checks/reports. This ensures that they will be sent directly to the school where they will be kept on file in the Office.
 
In order to be in compliance, ALL employees and volunteers must adhere to all the guidelines within the revised policy by December 31, 2016. Unfortunately, per the Diocese of Cleveland, if you are not in compliance after this date, you will no longer be able to volunteer.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation in this manner, as well as your timely completion of the requirements. We do appreciate all that our volunteers do to enrich our student’s educational experience. If you have further questions, please contact the school.
 
In Christ’s Peace,

The Administrative Staff
Saint Columbkille School