In order to be an employee or volunteer within a Diocesan school, Diocesan policy 4110.0 states:  All paid staff must have on file both BCI and FBI background checks and must attend “Protecting God’s Children.”   All volunteers must have on file a BCI background check and must attend “Protecting God’s Children” no matter how much or how little contact they have with children or youth, no matter if volunteering for the school or parish, and no matter what time of the day or night they volunteer.

In an ongoing effort to protect children and to provide safe environments for them, the Catholic Church mandates training, as well background checks, and provides further education and resources for all adults working with children.  All adults involved in any activity with children must meet the Diocesan Safe Environment criteria. This includes all teaching and non-teaching employees and any volunteers who have direct contact with children.  The Diocesan Safe Environment Criteria includes a background check, a signed Code of Conduct, and attendance at the child abuse awareness workshop, Protecting God’s Children (PGC).

You may register for any PGC session in our Diocese, by registering on the Virtus website www.virtus.org.  Choose "First Time Registrant" and then "View a List of Sessions".  From the drop down list, select "Columbus, OH (Diocese)."  You will see various sessions of PGC to choose.  Once you have selected a date that works for you, click on "Start Registration" at the top of the page to register for that class session.  When registering for the class, there will be a $25 charge to set up an account with Fastrax.  Fastrax allows the diocese to receive quarterly updates on background reports for individuals.

If you need the background check completed, a nearby location is Fast Finger Prints at 1486 Bethel Road.  Although they accept walk-ins, you can also access their website at www.fastfingerprints.com to schedule an appointment.  Once you click on the "Schedule Your Appointment", select the Columbus location and choose a date and time that works for you.  Please have the results sent to the Diocese of Columbus to the attention of Regina Quinn.  Typically, you will only need the BCI check completed unless you have lived out of the State of Ohio in the past 5 years.  If this is the case, you will need both the BCI & FBI check completed.  Payment is due at the time your fingerprints are taken.

The St Cecilia Code of Conduct may be downloaded by clicking here.

For more information about The Diocesan Safe Environment Criteria, please click here.