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To report a concern please contact Bob Fontaine at BFontaine@RCDB.org or (208) 350-7555.
Frequently Asked Questions-Safe Environment Training and Background Issues
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The Catholic Church in Idaho welcomes the opportunity to listen
and effectively respond to your concerns.
Justice and compassion call us to respond to the harm you or someone you know has experienced from someone who represents the Church. The Church wants to listen and appropriately address the hurt that may have occurred when pastoral care was exercised improperly. Bringing a serious complaint (of sexual misconduct) to the Church can be frightening. Be assured that the Church wants to help you and is committed to providing you with a safe and confidential process so that additional harm does not occur and justice is served. The Church is sorry for the pain you or someone you know has experienced, and will do everything possible to help bring about healing.
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What do we mean by sexual misconduct? |
Sexual misconduct includes all forms of exploitation and molestation as well as behavior by which a person who represents the Church uses another person as an object of sexual gratification. The term sexual "abuse" refers to the exploitation, molestation and sexually inappropriate behavior directed toward a minor child. Sexual abuse is a crime and must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
For more complete information regarding the Diocese of Boise's policy on misconduct, please click here.
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What if the misconduct happened many years ago? |
Although time can help heal past wounds, the effects of sexual misconduct are not always cured with time. Many times it takes years for people to realize that they may have been inappropriately treated by someone of trust. Don't let the fact that years have passed stop you from seeking help. Act now, and ask for help.
(208) 350-7555
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What if the misconduct happened outside the Diocese of Boise?
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The Catholic Church of Idaho stands ready to help you deal with issues of misconduct, wherever they may have taken place. Call us for more information.
(208) 350-7555 |
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How does the diocese handle complaints of sexual misconduct? |
Working closely with Church officials, initial information regarding complaints of misconduct is gathered by the Director of HR/CYAP, Vicar General for Clergy or the Bishop. An appropriate course of action is taken and may include further investigation culminating in a recommendation to the Bishop.
In matters dealing with sexual abuse of minors recommendations are reviewed by the Diocesan Review Board for Sexual Abuse. The Review Board is made up of a majority of qualified lay people who advise the Bishop on matters of sexual abuse which involve priests or deacons. The Bishop may also ask the Review Board for recommendations concerning other matters of sexual misconduct which may not involve minors.
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Are you unsure that your complaint meets this definition?
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If you are unsure or wary about making a complaint, please call the Director of Child, Youth and Adult Protection, Bob Fontaine, (208) 350-7555. He will help you find answers to your questions. |
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How to notify the Church about your concerns |
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Contact the Coordinator of Child, Youth and Adult Protection for the Diocese of Boise.
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Coordinator of Child, Youth
and Adult Protection |
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Dr. Bob Fontaine |
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(208) 350-7555 |
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BFontaine@RCDB.org | | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Safe Environment Training and Background Check Issues
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How often does the Diocese require safe environment training for employees and volunteers? |
Employees and volunteers currently satisfy diocesan and audit requirements with one training. However, the diocese supports and encourages parishes and schools who provide additional training for greater awareness of safe environment issues. |
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Will the Diocese of Boise honor safe environment training provided in other dioceses? |
Yes. However, the individual must provide proof of training verified through a certificate of completion or other written verification. In addition, the parish or school must provide the employee/volunteer information relevant to Idaho Code and reporting guidelines. This information is provided in the “Care Enough to Call” brochure provided in the diocesan training. |
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How often should parishes provide training to minors? |
Training should be provided every fall for youth in grades K-12. Additional training should be provided later in the school year for youth who have never been trained. The audit requires a single training for youth during years K-12. However, the diocese encourages training to be available each year for all youth; especially for those who have not had previous training. |
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Many public schools provide training in safe environment. Is it necessary for us to provide training if there is training in our local public schools? |
Yes. The Bishop, following a recommendation from the Review Board, has required that all parishes and schools provide training in safe environment. This training should be offered at the beginning of the academic year in September or October when religious education classes begin and again in the spring for those who have not had training. |
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How often should background checks be conducted for employees and/or volunteers? If an employee or volunteer working with youth has had a recent background check is it necessary for them to obtain another prior to working or volunteering for the Diocese of Boise? |
At this time background checks are completed once unless an employee or volunteer leaves his/her parish or school community. An additional background check would be required if the individual were to leave and then return at a later date if it had been more than two years since the last background check.
If an employee and/or volunteer has completed a comparable background check with another organization within the last two years the background check may be accepted if adequate written proof of the results of that check can be provided.
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Who is responsible for doing background checks for those employees in our parishes and all volunteers in parishes or schools? |
At the present time all background checks for parish employees and volunteers in parishes or schools are conducted through Quintana Investigations at a total cost of $30 per background check. Background checks are cleared through the Office of Human Resources and Child, Youth and Adult Protection at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. Parishes and schools are notified in regards to whether background checks have been passed by parish employees and parish or school volunteers.
At times, a Catholic school may utilize a non-certified teacher to substitute in their school. In these situations the individual may have already been cleared through Quintana Investigations if he/she had been volunteering for the parish or school. In these rare instances it would not be necessary to have an additional clearance through the State of Idaho.
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Who is responsible for completing background checks for school employees and certified substitute teachers?
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School employees, including certified substitute teachers, have background checks completed through the State of Idaho at a cost of $40 which they normally pay for themselves. |
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It can be costly to a parish or school to pay for the cost of background checks. How can we alleviate those costs? |
There are several scenarios happening in our parishes and schools related to covering the costs. Costs are currently $30 per background check for all volunteers and all employees working in parishes and at the Pastoral Center. Employees of Catholic Schools have background checks completed through the State of Idaho at a cost of $40 which they normally pay for themselves. If the parish or school pays for all costs it can be expensive. Parishes and schools often plan ahead with a separate line item in the budget to cover the cost of background checks. However, such expense to the parish and school can be alleviated by sharing the cost with the volunteer or employee. Some of our Catholic schools include costs in the form of school fees. |
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How thorough are our background checks? |
Quintana Investigations uses extended screening retrieving records which are updated daily with a data base that covers all 50 states for felony, misdemeanor and sexual predator offences using city, state and federal databases. |
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Can we complete background checks for those individuals who are unable to provide a social security number so that a thorough background check can be provided? Can the individual work with youth based on a background check without a social security number being provided? |
We can still do a background check. However, if an individual passes this type of check then he/she can only work with youth if accompanied by someone who has completed a thorough background check which can only be completed with a social security number. |
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What are the expectations for training and background checks for youth (under 18) who also serve as volunteers working with youth? |
Youth who might also be working with other youth as volunteers in their parish (example: high school students working with elementary students in a classroom situation) should first receive the safe environment training appropriate to their age level. Additional appropriate training may also be provided. Background checks are not available for those under 18. |
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What happens when the youth volunteer turns 19 and continues to volunteer? |
At that point the regular safe environment training course for volunteers and employees must be taken and a background check completed. |
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How do we address safe environment concerns which might not be found in a criminal background check? For example, an individual who has not done anything criminal but who has been divorced several times with allegations of child abuse directed against him/her. This may not appear on a criminal record check since there is neither a formal charge nor conviction. |
Further investigations can be done to address allegations which may be discovered only in Civil Court. |
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