Safe Children

Thank you for volunteering at Archangel Gabriel School!

The Diocese of Pittsburgh and the State of Pennsylvania require each volunteer to meet certain guidelines to assure that we are providing a safe environment for the children. The following records MUST be on file in the office before any volunteer can be eligible to volunteer.

To start the process, you must go to https://www.diopitt.org/school-volunteers.  There are five steps to obtain you clearances.

Click on Number 1, Safe Environment Database / PA State Police Clearance / Code of Pastoral Conduct / Child Protective Services Law.  This will take you to the Diocesan website. If you have done this before, enter your username and password.  If you are a new user, click on New User and create your account. When asked, please enter the access code of protect.  Please fill out the form.  When asked for a location, select Archangel Gabriel School. Also, please read and electronically sign the Code of Pastoral Conduct and the Child Protective Services Law.  Make sure you Submit your form, when done.  This triggers the Diocese to request a State Police Criminal Background Check.  Please note: The State Police Criminal Background Check is valid for five years, after which, I will request a new report.

In Number 2, you have the choice of doing the PA Child Abuse Clearance either online or through the mail.  The online version can take up to seven business days to get a response.  The mailed in version can take up to 30 days.  If you choose online, you will be directed to a state website.  As above, if you have done this in the past, you can click on Individual Login.  If you are new or have forgotten your username or password, click on Create Individual Account and follow the instructions.  When done, you will return to the opening screen and click on Individual Login.  Follow the instructions on the screen.  Make sure you submit the application.  If you choose to do the mailed version, please print out the form, fill it out, and mail to the address on the form.  In both cases, Under Purpose of Certification, select Volunteer having direct contact with children, select Other, and enter School Volunteer. The state will respond with a report.  When you receive your report, send a copy to me at the address listed at the top of the page.  Please note: The PA Child Abuse Clearance is valid for five years, after which, you will need to reapply.  You can reapply three months prior to the expiration date, free of charge.

To complete Number 3, you have two options to complete the FBI Clearance or Waiver.  If you have lived in the state for the past ten years, click on Yes.  Please read the waiver, print out the form, sign it, and send a copy to me at the address listed at the top of the page.  If you have lived out of state during the past ten years, click on No.  This will direct you to a site that does fingerprinting, called IdentoGo.  They have numerous sites located around the area.  Schedule a time with a site that is convenient for you.  When asked, give them the code of 1KG6Y3.  When you receive the written report, forward to me at the address listed at the top of this form.  The FBI Fingerprint Report is valid for five years, after which, you must renew the form.  If in the five years period, you exceed the 10 years waiver requirement, please read the waiver, print out the form, sign it, and send me a copy at the address listed at the top of the page.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, Number 4, all Live Classes for Protecting God’s Children are cancelled.  Your only choice is the Online Class.  When clicked, you will go to a new site.  Click on New Registrant and follow the instructions.  You will go to a self-paced course.  When complete, save a copy of the Certificate of Completion.  Send me a copy of the certificate to me, at the address at the top of this letter.

As with Number 4, Number 5, the Mandated Reporter Training is currently only offered online.  Click on the Online Class.  This will direct you to a state site.  At the top of the page, click on Registration and fill out the information.  When done, you will go back to their home page and login using the information you just entered.  This is a self-paced course.  When complete, save a copy of the Certificate of Completion.  Send a copy of it to me at the address listed at the top of this letter.

As I receive your information, I update the Diocesan database.  When complete, then, and only then, will you be permitted to volunteer. 

WARNING:  Please do this as soon as possible. Do not wait until you are scheduled to volunteer at the school. Many people have missed the opportunity to be involved in school events (chaperoning, coaching, homeroom parent for parties, and more) by delaying this process.  As you saw in the above, we are beholden to the state for feedback on applications.  We are operating of their schedules, not ours.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 412-787-2140 x114 or by email at [email protected]. 

Thank you and may you have a blessed school year.

Yours in Christ.

Jim Schweinberg
Safe Environment Coordinator
Archangel Gabriel Parish / School

A State Police Clearance will be automatically be run as soon as you submit your online Diocesan application. You will not need to do anything for this clearance.

• Click First Time Registrant
• Click Begin the Registration process
• Click on drop down box and choose Pittsburgh PA (Diocese)
• Create a User ID and Password – click Continue
• Complete the page and click Continue
• Click on drop box and choose the school and click Continue
• Click No (only one location is needed)
• Click on the correct role and brief title then click
• Continue
• Answer questions and click Continue
• Be certain to click on NO for the question "Have you already attended a Protecting God's Children Session"
• Scroll to the bottom of page and choose the on-line course and click on "Complete Registration"
• Click on "Go to Virtus Online" to begin the course. You will be taken back to the login page. Enter the username and password that you created.
• Click on Protecting God's Children Online Awareness Session 3.0 to begin.
• Click on "Click Here to Start"
• When you have completed the course – print out the certificate and return it to the school office.

If you have lived in the State of Pennsylvania for 10 consecutive years. Please ask for the form at the school office or call Jim Schweinberg at 412-787-2140 X102 to have one emailed to you.

If you have NOT live in the State of Pennsylvania for 10 consecutive years you will need to have your fingerprints taken. Visit uenroll.identogo.com or register by telephone at 1.844.321.2101 Monday through Friday 8AM to 6PM. Use the service code: 1KG6Y3 (Department of Education). This code is for all Catholic School Volunteers.  Please forward a copy of the receipt that you will receive to Jim Schweinberg either by leaving a copy at the school office or emailing at [email protected].

In accordance with PA law, revised and effective November 1, 2015, the Diocese of Pittsburgh Safe Environment Policy requires any and all school volunteers to complete the online Mandated and Permissive Training Course within 90 days of filing their online Diocesan database application.