DRAFT AUGUST 14, 2008

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN PROGRAM for VOLUNTEERS AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CLINTON

Children are among God’s most precious gift to us.  The Catholic Church and most particularly our Bishop Paul Bootkowski and our Pastor Monsignor Andy are committed to all necessary steps to protect the children of this church and this community. 

All persons who work with children under the age of 18 under the auspices of Immaculate Conception Parish and/or School on or off parish property and all persons who work with children on the property of Immaculate Conception Parish Clinton are required to complete three requirements:

1.       Attend the three hour class “Protecting God’s Children”

2.       Complete a Diocese of Metuchen Volunteer Application Form

3.       Submit to a Background Check

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CLASS

 All persons offering to volunteer with children at Immaculate Conception must take the three hour class “Protecting God’s Children.”   Per diocesan directive there are no acceptable alternatives to the class.  Classes are taught by trained facilitators throughout the four counties of the Diocese of Metuchen, namely:  Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset and Middlesex County as well as through numerous other American dioceses.  The class provides information on the crime of child sexual abuse in the United States, how volunteers can keep children safe from molesters, the law in New Jersey and the policies of the Diocese of Metuchen.  All attendees are required to register for the class online at www.virtus.org.  The class is taught approximately ten times a year at Immaculate Conception Parish primarily in August, September and October.  Individuals are encouraged to take the class at Immaculate as specific parish policies and situations are reviewed.  There is no charge for the class.

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM (PART I OF III)

This form must be completed by all persons who desire to volunteer with children.  The form is available at the School, CCD Office, Rectory and Parish “Protecting God’s Children” classes.  The form is to be returned to the Rectory where all forms will be kept.  The forms are maintained separate from all other records of the Parish and School and accessed only on a need to know basis.  There is no charge for the form.

VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK

The background check including fingerprinting is part of the regulations of the Diocese of Metuchen.   Per diocesan directive the only acceptable fingerprinting clearances for volunteers are those done by Kidsafe prior to October 1, 2007 for any organization and those done by Sagem Morpho on behalf of the Diocese of Metuchen.  School Sagem Morpho approvals for any entity other than the Diocese of Metuchen are not acceptable for parish volunteers.

VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK FEES

Effective October 1, 2007 Immaculate Conception parish is charging volunteers the cost of fingerprinting with the exception of those involved in catechetical and/or liturgical ministries.  The cost varies by the applicable category of fingerprinting.  All catechists are required to handle their paperwork thru the Parish Catechetical Leader to insure no charge.  Financial hardship issues should be addressed through your ministry leader and/or volunteer organization.  The four categories of volunteer fingerprinting are:                                                                                A.  VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY KIDSAFE PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2006                                                                           B.  VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY KIDSAFE AFTER JULY 1, 2006                                                       C.  VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY SAGEM MORPHO FOR THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN                        D.  VOLUNTEERS NEVER FINGERPRINTED FOR THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN 

 VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY KIDSAFE PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2006

If you were fingerprinted at Immaculate Conception Parish and/or by the vendor Kidsafe;  and/or if your blue Kidsafe ID card lists an expiration date before July 1, 2009 and you are involved in or plan to be involved in volunteer activities with children you need to complete a request for the BLUE FORM.  Blue Forms will only be issued to persons who have completed the class “Protecting God’s Children” and who have a diocesan volunteer application on file.                                                                                                                   Blue Form Requests will only be accepted between August 1 and October 10, 2008.  This is because the Diocese will be terminating the contract with Kidsafe in October, 2008.  All Blue Form Requests (form below) need to be returned with a $21 check made out to Immaculate Conception Parish unless they are processed by the Parish Catechetical Leader.                                                                 

VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY KIDSAFE AFTER JULY 1, 2006

Persons fingerprinted after July 1, 2006 on Immaculate Conception Parish property and/or by the vendor Kidsafe and/or with blue Kidsafe IDs expiring after July 1, 2009 will be subject to new diocesan procedures.  No action is required at this time.

VOLUNTEERS FINGERPRINTED BY SAGEM MORPHO FOR THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Those volunteers fingerprinted by Sagem Morpho will be subject to new diocesan procedures for the renewal of their clearance which are still in development.  Currently there are no ID cards for Sagem Morpho fingerprinted individuals nor is there online verification.  No action is required at this time.

VOLUNTEERS NEVER FINGERPRINTED FOR THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

If you have not previously been fingerprinted under the auspices of the Protecting God’s Children Program of the Diocese of Metuchen you will need to be fingerprinted by Sagem Morpho.  After you have taken the three hour “Protecting God’s Children” class you will need to submit a completed Diocese of Metuchen Volunteer Application with a request for Sagem Morpho fingerprinting.  If you did not take the class at Immaculate Conception please submit proof of attendance at the class.  Please do not share the Sagem Morpho forms with others as there are four categories for Immaculate of Sagem Morpho fingerprinting and you need to receive the appropriate Sagem Morpho form.   When you register online or by phone for Sagem Morpho you will be required to provide a credit card guarantee of $47.25.  Additional fees can be added to this charge for improperly filed paperwork or lateness.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN PROCESS SHEET                                                                         (BLUE FORM REQUEST)

Please legibly PRINT all information and submit to the Rectory mailbox for the Parish Protecting God’s Children Coordinator.  Please do not call or email the Coordinator’s home.

LEGAL NAME                                                                                                      ______________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS                                                                                                ______________________________         

PHONE NUMBER                                                                                              ______________________________                         

ARE YOU A VOLUNTEER                                                                                 YES_____NO_____

DO YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THE PARISH                                                     YES_____NO_____

PARISH MINISTRY                                                                                            ____________________________

DO YOU VOLUNTEER FOR THE SCHOOL                                                   YES_____NO_____

SCHOOL VOLUNTEER ROLE                                                                           ____________________________     See activities listed under ICS SAC &HSA Mandatory Service Hour Program Description

 

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CLASS ATTENDANCE DATE             ____________________________

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CLASS LOCATION                                               ____________________________

 

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN APPLICATION FILED WITH RECTORY        YES_____NO_____

____________________________

 

BLUE FORM REQUEST TO RENEW KIDSAFE APPROVAL                     YES_____NO_____

KIDSAFE EXPIRATION DATE                                                                         ____________________________

 

REQUEST TO BE FINGERPRINTED FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

                                                                                                                                YES_____NO_____

OTHER ISSUES