Volunteer

Report any abuse against a minor to the Florida Department of Children and Families at 800-962-2873. If Diocesan personnel or volunteers are involved, also notify the Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator, Susan Benton at 941-416-6114

The Diocese of Venice states that, "all employees, covered volunteers and religious brothers and sisters, must be electronically fingerprinted. Eligibility for employment / volunteer work / ministry will be contingent and conditioned upon a satisfactory background investigation. A reasonable effort shall be made to update the criminal history background information every five (5) years".

The Diocese classifies a covered volunteer as "any unpaid adult person engaged or involved in a Diocesan activity in which he / she is entrusted with the care and supervision of children or allowed unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults" (e.g. when screened personnel not present). This includes cathecists and all who serve, distribute and administer the Holy Eucharist to the homebound and / or assisted living.

Epiphany Cathedral also requires the following

volunteers to go through the background screening

process (through fingerprints):

• Volunteers who handle cash, credit cards, and other financial transactions
• Volunteers who are entrusted with confidential information, such as donor records and parish registration forms