Parent Volunteers

Parent volunteers have always been an important part of our school community.  As we move out of COVID-19 restrictions and begin welcoming parent volunteers back to Mercy, we want to ensure there is a clear understanding of volunteer certification requirements, per the ADW Office of Child and Youth Protection.   Parents who are attending an in-school event that is open to all (drama production, class party, etc.) do not need to complete the volunteer certification.  Parents who volunteer to assist teachers/staff in a specific way that would involve contact with children (field trip chaperone, recess duty, etc.) are required to complete the full certification as outlined below.

A complete Volunteer Certification packet that includes all of the information for Steps 1 through 5 can be downloaded by clicking here.  Important:  once you have completed each step, you will need to return the full application along with passport or driver's license to the parish office.  Questions?  Contact Mary Kate Kassman at mk@olom.org

To register for a VIRTUS account, go to:  www.VIRTUS.org
During the on-line registration:  Read and accept the ADW Code of Conduct and the Conduct with Minors Schedule Protecting God’s Children for Adults (virtual workshop).

Fingerprints can be taken at any police station or any CJIS recommended provider. Visit the following link for local providers:   www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/fingerprint.shtml/

• Confirm that both state and FBI will be done using our ADW authorization number.
• Bring the pre-filled LIVESCAN APPLICATION and valid forms of government identification.
• Fees are approximately $40-$60 -major credit cards and checks are accepted. No cash/money orders at MD State sites.

Fingerprinting results must be recorded on the volunteer/employee Virtus account before assumption of duties.

Members can sign up for a class through their Virtus account and participate online. Only those who are registered in VIRTUS will get an invite to that session by email address. An email will be sent with the Zoom instructions, protecting God’s Children workbook and an electronic copy of the policy book a day prior to all whom have registered to participate for that training on Virtus. If workshop is not completed within 60 days following the assumption of duties, the volunteer is pulled from the activity.

Read the Child Protection Policy booklet and Return the signed Acknowledgement Form (page 59) to Our Lady of Mercy along with your volunteer application.  A copy is retained at the parish and/or school and the original is sent to the Office of Child and Youth Protection- Archdiocese of Washington.  Click HERE to download the Child Protection Policy booklet.

The Volunteer Application Form can be downloaded here.  Bring the completed application to the Parish House with one form of identification- passport, driver’s license OR two others: birth certificate, federal/state id, global pass.