Youth Protection - General Information

​​The Diocese of Birmingham has long recognized that children, youth and other vulnerable persons can be at risk from certain individuals present in every community. Individuals who for whatever reason, prey on those weaker than themselves. We recognize that whenever children and youth are out of their parent’s direct care they are especially at risk. In 1991 a set of policies and procedures were promulgated to help ensure that Catholic institutions and programs would be as safe as possible from those seeking to harm minors. Training sessions were implemented to prepare staff and volunteers to continue their ministries in safe and healthy ways, and to properly respond and report allegations of suspected child abuse. Policies, procedures and training continue to change and grow as the needs of Catholic institutions have changed.
​Reports of suspected child abuse should be first made to the Alabama Department of Human Resources or Local Police.
A secondary report should be made to the Diocese of Birmingham if the abuse has occurred in the context of a Catholic institution. Report to the Diocese by calling Al Manzella at 205-597-9058.

​​General Information

Anyone who has contact with children or youth through a Catholic institution must:
  1. Have up-to-date youth protection training through Virtus
  2. Have completed a diocesan background check
  3. ​Have read and acknowledged the diocesan Code of Conduct
  4. Been approved by his or her pastor (or principal) for service 
Code of Conduct: Foundational document which specifies current youth protection rules. The Code of Conduct provides a set of minimum requirements. A parish or school may choose to add conditions to the Code of local use. The Code is periodically reviewed by the Diocesan Review Board. 
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Adult Training and Criminal Background Checks (Required for any adult who has contact with children or youth in a Catholic institution)
  • Training - On-line session "Protecting God's Children 4.0"- Available at www.virtus.org any time with no cost to the user. Click here for www.virtusonline.org The on-line course is available in English or Spanish. Also, in English with Korean or Vietnamese subtitles.  Protecting God's Children covers the following basic information:
    • The Diocesan Code of Conduct along with a quiz to make sure each individual understands how it applies
    • Signs an adult may see in a child who has been abused
    • What actions an adult must take when he or she believes child abuse of any kind is occurring
  • An alternative training for Spanish speaking adults who have difficulty using an on-line device or are unable to use the on-line training: Click here for Youth Protection QS, good for one year only.
  •  Criminal Background Screens 
    • Church/School Employees: Conducted through the Diocesan Human Resources Department. This background screen qualifies under the Diocesan Code of Conduct for those who work with minors as employees and/or volunteers
    • Certified School Teachers in Catholic Schools: Conducted through the Alabama State Board of Education and managed through the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. 
    • Volunteers: Volunteer background screens are done through the Virtus website.
    • Seminarians: Must pass the employee background screen through the diocesan Office for Human Resources.
   
Questions may be directed to the diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection. 205-838-8301 or YouthMinistry@BhmDiocese.Org
​Protecting God's Children 4.0.
  1. Protecting God's Children is available to any adult (employee or volunteer) in a Catholic intuition.
  2. Access to the course is available on-line at www.Virtus.org.
  3. It is likely you have a Virtus account if you had an account in any of our previous on-line training. Contact Virtus directly If you have questions regarding an existing on-line account. The help desk at Virtus is:1-888-847-8870
    helpdesk@virtus.org

Staff

Coordinator, Child and Youth Safe Environment: Donald Schwarzhoff - dschwarzhoff@bhmdiocese.org, (205) 838-8301
  • Oversees criminal background screening for volunteers
  • Directs adult live and on-line youth protection training
  • Maintains records of adult training
  • Coordinates the diocesan Code of Conduct
  • Supports the work of the diocesan Review Board
​Coordinator, Victim Assistance & Office for Youth Protection: Albert Manzella - amanzella@bhmdiocese.org