The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) works with Protect My Ministry to conduct background checks. Background checks completed within the last five years that have been conducted through SecureSearch Faith don’t need to be repeated. All new public records checks should be conducted through Active Screening Faith and need to be updated every five years.
Note: this applies to any new staff or volunteers for summer camp or Vacation Bible School and others specified in Appendix A to ECCT’s Model Policies for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults.
Do I need to have a background check done? –
According to diocesan policy, found in the section titled “Application and Screening” in the Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth (page 6) and the Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (page 6):
ECCT, parishes, worshipping communities, Intentional Episcopal Communities (IECs) and other organizations are required to screen all persons according to the standards in the Screening and Training Protocols. For some positions, screening consists only of a Public Records Check. For other positions there are additional screening requirements of a written application, interview, and reference verification.
How do I conduct a background check with Protect My Ministry? –
- Apply for a free parish account with Protect My Ministry by calling (888) 400-1451, ext. 2223 or (813) 467-8800.
- Once your service agreement application is approved, you will be sent a username and password to log onto the Protect My Ministry website.
- When you receive the username and password, logon to the Protect My Ministry website, https://www.mobilizemyministry.com/login/Account/Login and enter the username and password to process the background check.
- Next, click on AppScreen Management, then click on the blue button to the right “Send Invitation“.
- Enter name and email address and indicate which screenings that you need. Hit “Send Invitation“. The person(s) you’ve invited will receive an email with a link to complete an electronic consent form.
- Print the consent forms that will be attached to the final report for the parish records.
How much does the background check cost? –
Basic Background Check
The cost of the basic background check (“EDCT Package”) is $19.00. This includes a multi-state criminal search; national sex offender search, Social Security Number validation, Social Security Number death index search, name and address history search for the past 30 years, and an alias search. It also includes a county courthouse review of criminal records for the past seven years, and a “red-flag review” by Active Screening Faith personnel.
Motor Vehicle Checks
The cost for a motor vehicle report is $24. The customer service department at Active Screening Faith can walk you through the process for those.
Credit Checks
To run credit checks, you first need to set up a site visit through Active Screening Faith to make sure you have secure procedures in place. Email them at CS@activescreeningfaith.com to set this up; the cost for the one-time site visit is $85. Once the site visit is completed you will be able run credit reports in the Active Screening Faith system; the cost for each credit report is $14.
Note for Clergy
ECCT currently conducts and pays for the public records background checks for all clergy new to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut except those seeking licensing only. Background checks for clergy using Oxford Documents is separate, and not related to the Active Screening Faith service. Clergy seeking a license to do supply work are asked to first pay the initial fee of $155 to cover the basic cost of both background checks.
Does a flag on my background check prevent me from serving as a paid staff member or volunteer in my church, worship community, or intentional Episcopal Community? –
- The Model Policies do not automatically prohibit anyone from serving in a particular ministry regardless of the results of a public record check. That determination is within the discretion of a Rector, Priest in Charge, and in the absence of clergy leadership, parish wardens.
- Given the realities of racism in our church and US culture, some provisions of these Model Policies can have a disparate impact on People of Color, immigrants, and refuges. Parish leaders, both lay and ordained, are urged to take pay particular attention to appropriately handle and interpret information received from public record checks, especially when the person under consideration is a Person of Color, immigrant, or refugee.
How often do we need to do a Safe Church audit? –
- Each parish, worshipping community, Intentional Episcopal Community, and organization is required to conduct an annual Safe Church Self-Audit to confirm compliance with safe church policies, and to report such audit to ECCT.
- Procedures to be confirmed by audit will include (but are not limited to):
- Public records checks, application forms, records of screening and reference verification of paid and unpaid persons;
- Records of compliance with the Screening and Training Protocols (Appendix A);
- Procedures for responding to concerns and incidents; and
- Evidence of compliance with “safe space” requirements.
A document called Safe Church Self-Audit can be found in the “Forms and Templates” section of the ECCT Safe Church Training folder.
Who should I contact if I have questions? –
Protect My Ministry responds quickly to questions and concerns. They can be reached at (888) 400-1451 x 2223 or (813) 467-8800 or CS@activescreeningfaith.com. The contact information is also listed on the first page of the consent form instructions.
You may also contact safechurchtraining@episcopalct.org for more information. Clergy may also contact Barbara Roos, Administrator to the Canon to the Ordinary, at (203) 639-3501, ext. 128.