Safe Environments at St. Joseph
Background Screening

In an effort to guard the safety of Minors and Vulnerable Adults under the care of the Diocese, all Church Personnel, ages 18 and older, will be required to submit a Level 2 criminal background investigation. Eligibility for employment, volunteer work, or ministry will be contingent and conditioned upon a satisfactory background investigation. This background investigation will be updated every five (5) years. This policy applies even if an individual has been cleared through an FBI or FDLE check conducted by their employer or another non-Diocesan entity.

Education

All Church Personnel, including applicants offered a position, independent contractors, and covered volunteers are required to successfully complete safe environment training through the VIRTUS training program. Children and youth education programs are also to be conducted yearly. Click here for more information 

Code of Conduct

Those persons that must comply with the Code of Pastoral Conduct are priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, deacon aspirants, pastoral ministers, staff, and volunteers in our parishes, schools, religious institutes and societies of apostolic life, and organizations. A signed attestation must be on file confirming agreement with the conduct outlined in our Code of Conduct document.

 IMPORTANT NOTES

Volunteers who minister to children, youth or vulnerable adults must undergo a background check, sign a code of conduct and attend a VIRTUS session as mandated by the Diocese of Palm Beach. For more information please call 772-287-7272 ext. 109. Failure to complete the requirements in its entirety will delay the approval process for volunteer service. 

Read VIRTUS Protecting God's Children for Adults: Safe Adults: What to Say and Do

Click here to access VIRTUS Training

Click here to access Background Screening

Read the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Versión en Español - Estatuto para la protección de niños y jóvenes

Child and Youth Protection - View informational video