The Safe Environment Program is a comprehensive child safety and child sexual abuse prevention program, which creates a network of prevention and protection for the children entrusted into the Archdiocese’s care. The various components of the program include:
• Background checks and clearances
• Child sexual abuse prevention training

"Volunteers who have any possible physical or visual contact with children are required to obtain all three clearances; volunteers who have occasional responsibility and direct contact with children must obtain all three clearances and the two mandated reporter requirements; volunteers who have regular, direct responsibility for and contact with children (once a month or more) must obtain all three clearances, the two mandated reporter requirements and the VIRTUS training. as required by Pennsylvania State Law and the Archdiocese Office for Child and Youth Protection."

Based on changes to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Law, all parish volunteers who work directly with children, who are liturgical ministers (ie. Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Musicians, etc) or who are on the parish campus during the hours when Saint Mary School or PREP is in session , must have ALL THREE of the following clearances. PLEASE NOTE: All documentation must be on file at the parish office center before volunteering can begin.