What is Shield the Vulnerable?
The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee has established requirements for all staff and volunteers working for, or representing a Parish, who work with children, youth, elderly and vulnerable adults - or - who are involved with the instruction and guidance of children and young people.
Shield the Vulnerable is an on-line training program which allows you to complete a list of required courses. All Good Shepherd ministries have been reviewed and have been placed in one of 2 categories.
- Please note that Good Shepherd has identified ADDITIONAL courses that are required (based on Category) than what is identified by the Shield the Vulnerable training program.
Diocesan guidelines will also require that the Shield the Vulnerable courses be repeated every 5 years at the same time you complete a new fingerprint scan.
What are the Ministry Requirements/Categories?
The following courses are required based on your ministry (see below):
- Recognize & ReportChild Abuse
- Recognize & Report Mistreatment of Vulnerable Adults
- Detecting Predators
These courses are optional:
- Cyber Space: Risks and Solutions
- Eliminating Bullying
| CATEGORY 1 |
Fingerprints are REQUIRED
Complete three (3) REQUIRED Shield the Vulnerable courses:
-- Recognize & Report Child Abuse
-- Recognize & Report Mistreatment of Vulnerable Adults
-- Detecting Predators
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Category 1 consists of the following:
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- Priests/Deacons
- Staff
- Office Volunteers
- Communion for the Homebound
- Keeping In Touch
- Adult Ed
- Transportation
- RCIA
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| CATEGORY 2 |
Fingerprints are REQUIRED
Complete two (2) REQUIRED Shield the Vulnerable courses:
-- Recognize & Report Child Abuse
-- Detecting Predators |
Category 2 consists of the following:
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- Catechists: including Substitutes & aides
- Youth Ministry
- *Sacred Heart Homeschool
- Fraternus
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
- Liturgy of the Word for Children-Spanish
- Vacation Bible School
- Lectors-Youth: instructor/s
- Altar Server: instructor/s
- Spirit Singers Choir: Director, pianist and aides
- *Mother’s Morning Out
- Nursery
- *Blue Knights/Little Flower
*Ministries marked with an asterisk must pay the $65 charge for fingerprint processing. |
Note: Trinity Catholic School and John Paul II Catholic High School must contact their school for requirements. |
How long are background checks and fingerprints valid?
Criminal background checks and fingerprints are valid for only 5 years. After 5 years, a new criminal background check MUST be completed. This consists of: completing a new VECHS waiver from the Parish Office, obtaining instructions for making an appointment to have your fingerprints scanned at the remote site, and completing the fingerprint scan.
- Reprocessing must be completed one month prior to expiration of previous criminal background check.
Diocesan guidelines will also require that the Shield the Vulnerable courses be repeated every 5 years at the same time you complete a new fingerprint scan.
How do I access Shield the Vulnerable to take courses?
- Go to: www.shieldthevulnerable.org
- Select “Adults” or “Teens”
- Select "1st Time Sign Up"
- Your Organization: Select "Catholic Dioceses" and then
select "Pensacola/Tallahassee"
- Click on "Confirm"
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Complete the User Login Data information using your Legal Name, no nicknames:
- First Name
- Middle Name: Yes/No
If yes, a box will appear for your middle name
- Last Name
- Phone
- Address
- City, State, Zip
- Date of Birth
- Log In ID
Choose your own ID - don't forget to write it down!
- Password:
Choose your own PSW - don't forget to write it down!
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Email:
Click on "Next Step" |
You will need to identify your affiliation with the Diocese.
Note: You will automatically be presented with a series of screens - click on the drop down box as follows:
- Select TYPE: "Employee" or "Volunteer"
- Select LOCATION TYPE: "Parish"
- Select WHERE LOCATED: "Tallahassee"
- Select LOCATION NAME: "Good Shepherd"
- Select PRIMARY POSITION:
If you are an Employee, select one of the following:
- Deacon
- Office Personnel
- Priest
- Rectory Personnel
- Religious Ed
- Support Personnel
- OTHER
If you are a Volunteer, select one of the following:
a. Religious Ed
b. OTHER
Answer the question "Do you volunteer at more than Diocesan location?
If you do volunteer at other parishes/diocsesan locations,
click on "Add Affiliation" and repeat steps 1-5 above. Repeat
this process as many times as necessary to add ALL locations.
Click on "Next Step" |
Finalize Sign-up process by clicking on "Accept" (the License) and then "Confirm Signup"
- You will get an email from Shield the Vulnerable with your Login-ID and Password (keep this for future access).
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At a minimum, complete the courses that have been listed as REQUIRED for your ministry (see Categories above). Please note that Good Shepherd has identified ADDITIONAL courses that are required (based on Category) than what is identified by the Shield the Vulnerable training program.
Upon completion of the courses you will receive a certificate. Please print and keep a copy for your records and RETURN a copy to the Parish office.
Note: At this time you are not considered in compliance until this certificate is received.
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Returning to Shield the Vulnerable?
If you already have a Login ID and Password:
- Go to: www.shieldthevulnerable.org
- Select “Adults” or “Teens”
- Select "Already Signed Up"
- Enter your Login ID and Password
- Click on "Login"
If you are unsure of Login ID or Password, click on "Forgot your login or password?" and follow instructions provided.
Still have Questions?
Feel free to contact:
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