Child and Youth Protection Policy

SCREENING AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

All Adults

All adult volunteers at St. Joseph need to register on our management compliance website www.virtus.org   and read the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct and Statement of Policy.

In addition, adult volunteers who serve in ministries or committees on the St. Joseph campus are considered to have “substantial contact with children and therefore need to complete training, have a background screen performed, and provide 3 references. The training and background check must be repeated every 5 years.  The reference form used can be found outside the parish office and is available here: Volunteer Reference Form.

Contact Martina Rangel, in the parish office if you have questions – martina@sjcmmd.org

 Ministries and committees that do not need the additional training are listed below.

  • Ministries and Committees Without Substantial Contact
  • Altar Linens Ministry
  • Cemetery Committee
  • Sewing Ministry
  • Caring Meals Ministry
  • Communion to the Homebound (Communion to the hospital does require the additional requirements)
  • Martha Ministry – those providing food; volunteers who are assisting with funerals need the full training.
  • Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
  • Young Men’s Group
  • Young Women’s Group

All Youth Ages 14-18

All youth volunteers ages 14-18 must complete a Volunteer Application and read the Statement of Policy and Code of Conduct.  Forms and policies can also be found outside the parish office.

In addition, all youth volunteers need to take “Worthy of the Call”  training and provide 3 references. The training is held here at the parish and is age-appropriate for our youth.

Contact Megan McQuin if you have questions – megan.mcquin@stjohn-frederick.org

All Employees and Clergy

All employees and clergy are required to complete all of the requirements for volunteers with substantial contact as well as have fingerprints checked and complete a yearly refresher training course

Reporting Abuse

We comply with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities. Under Maryland law, any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to civil authorities (local law enforcement or the local Department of Social Services Child Protective Services), even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased.  For more information about reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in Maryland, please visit the Maryland Department of Human Services website by clicking here or using the following link https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-or-neglect/.

If someone associated with the Church, including clergy, employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is suspected of abuse, then the suspected abuse must also be reported to the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348 or the Victims Assistance Line at 1-866-417-7469.

For more information, visit:  https://www.archbalt.org/child-and-youth-protection/