How to Get Help

A number of resources and training opportunities are available to parishes and deanery organizations requesting assistance in implementing an appropriate screening process:

A. People Resources – Deanery Officials (Archdeacon, Regional Dean, Lay Stewards) have received training in the Screening in Faith process from Volunteer Canada and are available to assist parishes in getting started. The Diocesan Program and Youth Consultant is also available for group workshops or individual consultation in this area. In some cases, a parish or deanery may be able to arrange free training with a local volunteer centre or through Volunteer Canada. Contact Volunteer Canada at 1-800-670-0401 or to explore your options. And finally – don’t forget to explore the possibilities within the parish! Often, congregations will have someone in their ranks with expertise in this area.

B. Printed Resources – Every parish has been provided with at least one copy of the Screening in Faith resource workbook. At this writing, additional copies are also available from the Synod Office. One copy of The Screening Handbook (Volunteer Canada, 1996) is available to be borrowed from the Synod Office or can be purchased from Volunteer Canada.

C. Video Resources – Each Deanery has one copy of the video "Reducing The Risk" available to be borrowed from the Regional Dean. This video is a short, compelling introduction to screening suitable for parish education. Two other educational videos are available to be borrowed from the Synod Office which deal, respectively, with legal liability and an introduction the ten steps of screening. Information on how to order these videos for yourselves can also be obtained from the Synod Office.

D. Internet Resources – A volunteer screening page has been linked to , providing an avenue of congregational resource and idea sharing, and further links to other volunteer organizations. This is an "unofficial official" site intended to offer ideas and support but no guarantees. If in doubt, parishes are encouraged to have their own policies and procedures reviewed by legal counsel.

E. Community Agencies – Implementing screening procedures can be a big job, especially at the beginning. Check with local volunteer groups (i.e., Scouts) to see what has worked for them. Policies and procedures always need to be adapted to make sense for your context, but much can be gained by sharing ideas with community partners. Don’t underestimate your parish’s ability to come up with solutions that make sense for you.

©2002 Diocese of Algoma

June 13, 2002