Thank you

for your interest in serving as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Baltimore and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church are committed to providing a safe environment for children and youth.

All adult volunteers serving in any of the ministries at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton must register with VIRTUS, the child protection and compliance management system used by all Archdiocese schools and parishes. All volunteers must be fully compliant with the Archdiocese child protection policies before they can serve as volunteer.

Adult Volunteers:

Please register as a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton volunteer at www.virtusonline.org, following these instructions either a volunteer with substantial contact with children/youth or without substantial contact with children/youth. For volunteers with substantial contact with children/youth only: after you have completed the registration; training process, the Screening Coordinator will contact you to have your references checked; background screening results reviewed.

Policies:

VIRTUS will direct volunteers to review the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel and A Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth.

Training:

VIRTUS will direct volunteers to complete the new online training Protecting God’s Children.

Background Checks:

The Archdiocese of Baltimore will works with Employment Screening Resources (ESR) to conduct online criminal history screening; as part of the registration process, VIRTUS will direct volunteers to the ESR website where they will be asked to submit to an online criminal history screening.

References: 

VIRTUS asks for three references as part of the online process.  Provide one reference from each of the following:

• Family Member/Friend, and
• Civic organization:  Priest, other church official, parishioner, supervisor from past volunteer experience, and
• Professional:  current employer

NOTE:  The Archdiocese of Baltimore requires that volunteers that have served, and/or previously or currently employed with any archdiocesan parish, school, or institution, must supply a reference from said institution.

For Youth Volunteers 14-17 Years of Age:

Youth volunteers do not complete register through the VIRTUS website.  All youth volunteers who are at least 14 years of age must: 

1. Complete the volunteer application.  
2. Contact the screening coordinator provide the volunteer application and set up an appointment to watch the 45 minute video "Worthy of the Call"
3. Provide contact information for 3 adults which can complete a reference form. 
4. Review the "Statement of Policy"
5. Review the "Code of Conduct"

Child and Youth Protection

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE:

We comply with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities. Under Maryland law any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to civil authorities (local law enforcement or the local Department of Social Services Child Protective Services), even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased.

REPORTS MAY BE MADE ANONYMOUSLY:

• 911 - or -
• 410-721-8400 - 24 Hours/Day
  (Anne Arundel Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services Hotline)

If someone associated with the Church, including clergy, employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is suspected of abuse, suspected abuse must also be reported to the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348 or the Victims Assistance Hotline at 1-866-417-7469.

For additional information, please visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore Office of Child and Youth Protection website: https://www.archbalt.org/child-and-youth-protection/

Suspected abuse must be reported to the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5348, Victims Assistance Hotline at 1-866-417-7469, Anne Arundel Department of Social Services 410-721-8400 (24 Hours/Day), or 911.