FROM THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH

While some partisan organizations on both the left and the right use “Catholic” in their name, they are not affiliated with or supported by the Catholic Church. Only non-partisan voter guides that have been approved by the Diocese of Pittsburgh may be distributed on parish property – including the parking lot – or at church-sponsored events.

To help you through this election cycle, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has again published its political action guidelines brochure for parishes and schools below. Please study it carefully and contact Anna Torrance, Secretary for Catholic Education and Evangelization, if you have questions: atorrance@diopitt.org.

• Everyone is a permissive reporter and is encouraged to make a report of suspected child abuse. Reporters of suspected child abuse fall into two categories. 
• Mandated reporters are those adults who come into direct contact with children in the course of their employment or volunteer of a regularly scheduled program or activity, who accepts responsibility for a child.
• The trigger to report is a reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused.  Permissive reporters may report anonymously; mandated reporters may not.

• Reports of suspected child abuse are to be made immediately.
• If the child is in imminent danger, call 911
• Reports may be made orally by phone or electronically
  • Oral reports are made to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 which is available 24/7
  • Electronic reports are made via CWIS Self-Service portal at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
• Inform the supervisor or person in charge of your program that a report was made

To report church-related abuse to the Diocese of Pittsburgh call: 
1-888-808-1235

All parish employees must complete the following steps.

1. Virtus ®Online Safe Environment database: (Unsure whether you have an existing account?  Call the Office for Compliance at 412-456-3093.  If your record exists, we will provide you with login information)
   a. New users only, click here
   b. Existing accounts, click here

2. Child Abuse History Clearance
       a. Complete Paper Application and Release Form
           OR
       b. Complete online Application

3. FBI Clearance
   Parish Employee - Use code 1KG756
   Preschool/Child Care Services Employee - Use code 1KG738

4. Protecting God’s Children: On-line Class, Live Class, or Trauma Sensitive Alternative*

5. Mandated Reporter Training

   1. Are you listed on Appendix D?  If Yes, see the next step.
      If No, you are not required to complete the next step.

   2.  On-line Class or Live Class
      
      * For persons with a history of sexual abuse, watching the videos may cause a resurgence of memories and strong emotions that some find detrimental to their personal healing.  With that in mind, you can request a written trauma sensitive version by calling or emailing:  Laetitia Bridges, Director of Victim Assistance at 412-456-3093 ext. 3712 or  Lbridges@diopitt.org.  (When requesting this training, you will  not  be asked about your personal history.)