Safe Environment Requirements

The Safe Environment Program of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is designed to meet the letter and the spirit of the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Any adult, including Staff, Teachers, Coaches and Volunteers, who have a minimum of one hour of contact with children in our parish on an average of once a week, are required to complete:

† PA Criminal Record Background Check (Printable Version)

Directions:

• Complete Part I only.
• Fill in the Requester as: St. Katharine of Siena Parish 104 South Aberdeen Avenue  Wayne, PA 19087. Contact Phone Number: 610-688-4584.
• Requester Identification: check “Individual.”
• Do not send money. St. Katharine’s will pay this fee for you.
• Name/Subject of record check is you.
• Complete your Name(s) Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Sex and Race .
• Reason for Request: check “Other”.
• No signature necessary.
• Do not send this form to the State; instead, drop it off or mail it to St. Katharine’s School or Rectory, Attention Safe Environment Program.  You will receive back from the Parish a copy of your Criminal Background Clearance for your files.
  
  

† PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Printable Version)

Directions:

• Complete Section I only.
• Check Purpose of Clearance: “Volunteers.”
• Sign as Applicant.
• Drop this form off or mail to St. Katharine’s School or Rectory, Attention: Safe Environment Program. The Child Abuse Clearance form will come directly back to you from the PA State Police, therefore, it is important for you to make a copy and drop a copy off at the Rectory as soon as you receive it.  Keep the original clearance documents with your important papers should you be asked for them.

 

† Signed acknowledgement of commitment to
     Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries

† Certification of attendance at a
     Protecting God's Children Awareness Session

The two PA forms should be sent to :

St Katharine of Siena
104 S. Aberdeen Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
Attn: Sr. Kathleen Callaghan

Training for Staff & Volunteers

All priests and deacons, as well as parish staff, and volunteers who have regular contact with children, must attend Safe Environment training. This training provides those involved in ministry and service to children with a greater understanding of their role as adults in our Church to be: protectors of children, models of appropriate behavior and relationships, and advocates for those who are most vulnerable.

Click here for the locations and dates of the fall training sessions.

For Parents

The U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People also involves instruction for parents and guardians. A mailing to all parents with children in our Religious Education Program included Practical Advice for Parents On Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (a document in pdf format).

Victim Assistance Coordinators
for Sexually Abused Minors
215-587-3880

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides comprehensive assistance to anyone who as a minor was sexually abused by a priest, deacon, teacher, employee or representative of the Archdiocese. Parents, guardians, children and survivors of sexual abuse are invited and encouraged to contact the Archdiocese.

The contact will be a confidential consultation with a Victim Assistance Coordinator who is a licensed social worker. Our Archdiocese is committed to assisting victims in the pursuit of emotional and spiritual well-being.

St. Katharine of Siena Parish Wayne, PA USA