Office of Youth Ministry, the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois at 2620 Lebanon Ave, Belleville, IL 62221-3299 US - Diocesan Child Protection FAQ
For Child Protection Training Dates, please click here. What requirements does an employee need to complete? What requirements does a volunteer need to complete? Do volunteers need to complete a Criminal Background Check? What if you have a volunteer who has lived in IL for less than 5 years? Who is responsible for the implementation of the Child Protection Policy? How will locations be held accountable for this Policy? How is the Diocese of Belleville held accountable for the Child Protection Policy? How often does a CANTS form need to be completed? How often does the Criminal Background Check need to be completed? Do youth, ages 14-17 need to complete the same requirements as an adult? In keeping with the youth ministry initiative, a minor is encouraged to participate in their local church. For example, a minor could co-teach with an adult in a PSR program. The minor can create the lesson plan and teach the lesson, but an adult must always be present in the room. A minor is not allowed to be in a supervisory role. Do employees of St. Vincent DePaul need to attend training and complete the requirements of the Child Protection Policy? Who needs to attend the Child Protection Policy Training? What is substantial contact with children? What if another group uses our facilities; do they need to meet the requirements of the Child Protection Policy? Does the Diocese of Belleville have an Overnight Policy? If an individual has completed a child and youth program through another organization, does the individual need to complete the Diocese of Belleville’s training? If I am an employee/volunteer at a school, parish or agency, what do I have to do to volunteer at another diocesan location?
Who must complete an application?
All volunteers must complete the Application for Volunteer Services. All employees must complete the Application for Employment. Teachers in schools should complete the Application for Educators. Each application is site specific.
An employee, as well as any coach, PSR teacher, or Youth Ministry Chair needs to complete an Application for Employment or Volunteer Services, the CANTS form, a State Background Check, and the Child Protection Policy Training.
A volunteer must complete an Application for Volunteer Services, a CANTS form, and the Child Protection Policy Training. Some volunteers may also need to complete a criminal background check.
Volunteers do not have to complete a background check unless they are in a position of leadership or if the individual has lived in IL for less than 5 years. Positions of leadership include, but are not limited to coaches, PSR teachers, Youth Ministry Chairs, librarians, and coordinators of TEC, Quest, and Luke 18.
If a volunteer has lived in IL for less than 5 years, the Child Protection Policy, states that the individual must also complete a background check from the current or prior state in which the individual lived. They must do this in addition to the other requirements.
The pastor/pastoral associate, parish life coordinator, principal, or agency director is responsible for the proper implementation and compliance with the policy at his/her location.
Site visits and audits will assist locations in determining compliance and areas of needed growth.
The Diocese of Belleville, as well as all dioceses, is audited by the National Office of Child and Youth Protection. Therefore it is imperative that you complete the Annual Report Form by December 31 of each year. The Report should be mailed to the Chancery, attn: Lynn Muscarello. The Annual Report Form is located in your Child Protection Procedures Manual.
The CANTS check must be completed every other year. A new CANTS form will need to be completed each time and sent directly to DCFS. The CANTS form is site specific.
Criminal background checks need to be completed every 5 years. A new form will need to be completed each time and mailed per directions on the form.
A minor only needs to fill out the application. All records on a minor are sealed unless they were convicted of an offense as an adult. Therefore a minor should not complete the Criminal History Checks. When the minor turns 18 the Criminal Background Check and/or CANTS should be completed.
Yes.
Any individual who is employed or volunteers in the Diocese of Belleville and has substantial contact with children must complete the Child Protection Policy Training, as well as all other requirements of the Policy. For a training schedule, please click here.
Please refer to the Diocese of Belleville’s Child Protection Policy under the Definitions Section.
If the school or parish is sponsoring the event then yes everyone involved would need to complete the requirements of the Child Protection Policy. However, if the group is only using or renting your facilities, then they would not be required to meet the requirements of the Child Protection Policy.
The overnight policy was established by the Office of Education; please become familiar with the Policy. It can be located in the royal blue Principal’s Handbook (pg. 19-6.) or in the green Diocesan Policy Rules and Regulations (Policy 6153.1) binder.
Trainings offered by other organizations may not be substituted for the Diocese of Belleville’s Child Protection Policy Training.
The location coordinator may contact the Office of Child Protection Services to verify that an individual has met the requirements of the Child Protection Policy. A list goes out to every location showing all active individuals at their location and what requirements each person has met. An individual is placed on a list based on the following roles: Employee, Coach/PSR Teacher, and Volunteer. An individual’s name will only show up on one location’s report.
