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6/21/2004 - When Reverend John Campbell, of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, in Marietta, Ohio, first heard that volunteers working with children would be required to be fingerprinted and undergo criminal background checks, he was a bit concerned.
"I thought we'd lose a few volunteers because of it," he told the Marietta Times. "That was not the case. In fact, it's been just the opposite. I've heard no complaints."
This was something new, and uncomfortable, for some. At one time, those who had volunteered more than five years ago were grandfathered in, but now everyone must agree to background checks.
"Parents applaud the decision of the diocese," one parent said. "I don't think of it as a panacea, but one extra precaution. When you are dealing with children, it's well worth it."
Since 1994, Ohio teachers have been required by the Ohio Department of Education to meet certain criteria, and are checked as part of certification. Public school volunteers are required to provide references only when applying for a position at a school. There is currently no requirement that public school volunteers be fingerprinted or have extensive criminal background checks.
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