Back DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN POLICY ON VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECKS Effective October 1, 2004 Criminal background checks are required for all individuals who are reasonably expected to come into contact with children, including but not limited to, the following volunteer positions: CCD Directors, Coordinators and Teachers CYO Coaches Day Care, Pre-school & Extended Care Staff Youth Ministers Boy Scout Leaders and Staff Youth Group Advisor Cafeteria Workers School & Teacher Assistants Those individuals whose background check indicates a conviction for the following crimes will be eliminated from further employment or volunteer consideration. Criminal homicide Indecent assault Aggravated assault Indecent exposure Kidnapping Corruption of minors Unlawful restraint Prostitution Rape Obscenity & pornography Statutory rape Sexual abuse of children Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse Dealing in infant children Concealing the death of a child born out of wedlock Endangering the welfare of children A felony under the "Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act." In the event a DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol arrest) is revealed in the background check within the previous ten (10) years, the pastor/principal/administrator will be notified in order to limit the volunteer's driving his/her vehicle or a diocesan vehicle for parish/school purposes. Any other questionable items will be reviewed by the Diocese of Allentown’s Human Resources Department in conjunction with the pastor, principal or administrator of the location.  The judgment on the suitability of the candidate for a volunteer position will be final.       A private company will be used to do the background checks.      The attached form will be used to gather basic information and provide permission for the background checks to be completed. Pastors/Principals/Administrators will retain this form for their volunteer files. This form can also be found and printed out by going to www.allentowndiocese.org and clicking on “Protection of Youth”, and then on “Background Check Form” under the heading “Background Checks”.       The parish/school/diocesan location will process the background check using a diocesan-approved reference checking company.  All results indicating criminal activity will be funneled through the Diocese’s Human Resources Department for consistent handling. Information provided by the volunteer and revealed through processing will be kept in the strictest confidence.       All volunteers who are reasonably expected to come intocontact with children will be required to have a background check completed periodically at an interval to be set at a later date.             Questions regarding this policy or any procedures should be forwarded to the Human Resources Department at the Temporal Affairs office for the Diocese of Allentown at 610-871-5200, extension 201. Post Office Box F  •  Allentown, PA  •  18105-1538 Copyright 2003 The Catholic Diocese of Allentown Disclaimer and Terms of Use