If you are unable to complete any of these steps online, please ask for other options. For questions, please contact Sister Cindy Burns at srcindy@stbenedictchurch.org or 814-266-9718 Ext. 301. You may also contact the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Director of Children and Youth Protection: Michele Luciano at mluciano@dioceseaj.org.
Step 1: Complete the following paperwork
- Youth Protection Application
- Code of Conduct for Diocesan Personnel (including volunteers)
- Use of Technology, Electronic Communications, etc.
- Ministry Reference Form
- Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers – this form MUST have a witness’ signature
Step 2: Apply for clearances
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check – free for volunteers
- Go to Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History – Home (pa.gov)
- Click New Volunteer Record Check and accept the Terms & Conditions
- Complete the Personal Information screen
- Complete the Request Form screen and click Submit
- Make a note of the Control Number to check the status of your request.
- You will receive an email with a link to print/save your PA State Police Criminal Record Check (PATCH)
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance – free for volunteers
- Go to https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
- Click Create Individual Account
- Complete the information to receive a Keystone ID. This is like a username. It is NOT a password.
- After you submit the requested information, the state will send a temporary password to your email. You will need to use the Keystone ID (username) and the temporary password to sign into the website and create your own password.
- You must log back into the website using your username and your own password to actually apply for the clearance. Record your Keystone ID and password and keep for future reference. You will need it when it’s time to renew your clearances. Reports can be obtained online and through the mail.
- You will receive an email with a link to print or save the PA Child Abuse History Clearance
Step 3: Complete online training
Please note: there are TWO components to this training.
- Youth Protection Awareness Training with VirtusR Online
- Go to VIRTUS® Online (virtusonline.org) to access the registration page.
- Follow the instructions to create a Username and Password
- NOTE: New applicants will be prompted to take a Fastrax (Selection.com) background check at the beginning of registering in Virtus. This is a NATIONAL background check and does NOT replace the PA State Police Criminal Record Check or the PA Child Abuse History Clearance in Step 2 above.
- You will receive an email link to print or save your Fastrax background check. The certificate will have “Selection.com” at the top.
- You will receive a certificate of completion to print or save.
- Mandated Reporting Training- this is a 3-hour online course required by PA State Law.
- Go to Act 31 On-line Training | School of Social Work | University of Pittsburgh
- You will need to register and create an account.
- Once you start the training, you can save your work and restart.
- You will receive a certificate of completion to print or save.
Step 4: Submit final paperwork
- Review the following checklist to make sure you have completed everything.
- Completed and signed paperwork packet (5 forms) from Step 1. **Make sure to have a witness for the Disclosure Statement.**
- Copy of PA State Police Criminal Record Check
- Copy of PA Child Abuse History Clearance
- Copy of Virtus Online Training Certificate of Completion
- Copy of Fastrax Background Check from Selection.com
- Copy of Certificate of Completion for Mandated Reporting Training
- Submit paperwork in its entirety. Submissions of single clearances, etc. cannot be accepted.
- Email PDFs of all paperwork, clearances, and certificates to Sister Cindy at srcindy@stbenedictchurch.org or
- Place all paper copies in an envelope and drop off at Sr. Cindy’s office in the St. John Paul II Building. Save copies of everything for your own records.