If you have a complaint of suspected misconduct involving diocesan clergy, religious, employees or volunteers, contact Victim Assistance Coordinator, Terrianne Yanulavich, LMHC, Ph.D. Lic, 000186, NPI: 1356531149, 5050 Route 374 Merrill, NY 12955
Email:
Phone: Day time is 518-358-3145 extension 7179, evenings: 518-569-0612
or Father Christopher Carrara, the Episcopal Vicar of Personnel at 315-393-2920. As part of the efforts of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg to protect children, young people and other vulnerable people in our schools, parishes and ministries, it is important that your report identify:
+ The child or children in danger
+ The name of the suspected abuser
+ As well as your name, address and phone number as part of your report.
The Diocese of Ogdensburg will report all allegations of suspected abuse to the appropriate law enforcement or civil authority. Making a report to the Diocese of Ogdensburg, in no way, means that you should not make a report to police or child protective agencies.
If you have a complaint of suspected sexual abuse or related misconduct involving diocesan bishop, contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service at (800) 276 - 1562 or www.ReportBishopAbuse.org. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Your report must include:
+ The name of the U.S. Catholic Bishop you are reporting.
+ A description of the allegation, the place where it occurred, and the timeframe of when it occurred, as best you can remember.
+ It will be helpful if the report also includes as many relevant details as possible, such as the names of other individuals involved, as well as dates, times, known circumstances, or other information useful to assess the facts of the situation.
If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop, such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents, please address those directly to the diocesan bishop.
NOTE: Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the church should be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting System is a third-party service for gathering and relaying to appropriate Church authorities reports of sexual abuse or misconduct by U.S. Catholic bishops. Reports made will be forwarded to the proper Church authority, usually a Metropolitan archbishop (or a Senior Suffragan bishop if the report is about the Metropolitan, or if the Metropolitan See is vacant). The Metropolitan archbishop for the Diocese of Ogdensburg is currently Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan.
Individuals filing reports will be given an access number and personal password to follow-up on the status of the report.
In addition to being a primary contact for receiving
notification of allegations of suspected sexual abuse or related misconduct,
the VAC will also:
+ Inform the
alleged victim of his/her rights and obligations
+ Provide
timely and responsive pastoral care for the victim(s) and their families
+ Facilitate
assessment, counseling, and therapeutic interventions by accredited and
competent counselors (as agreed upon by the Diocese and the person receiving
the pastoral care or, in the case of a minor, the victim’s parents or
guardians. Appropriate pastoral care may also include medical evaluation and
treatment, spiritual guidance, identification of support groups or social
services, and resources for healing depending on the circumstances and needs of
the victim.
Terrianne Yanulavich, LMHC, Ph.D. Lic, 000186
NPI: 1356531149
5050 Route 374
Merrill, NY 12955
Email:
Phone : Day time is 518-358-3145 extension 7179, evenings: 518-569-0612
Letter from Bishop LaValley - Update on Lawsuits Filed against the Diocese of Ogdensburg under the Child Victims Act.
Youth and Child Protection Policy
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Reports and Forms - Pastoral Documentation
Review Board Members
Mark House, MA (Board Chairperson) – Psychologist
Lisa Breitenbach, M.D. - Psychiatrist
Reverend Douglas G. Comstock - Priest of the Diocese
Mary Harper – Public School Teacher
Lawrence Kring, M.D. – Primary Care Physician
The Honorable Robert G. Main, Jr. - Retired Franklin County Judge
The Honorable Patrick McGill – County Court Judge
Amy Mitchell - Catholic School Teacher - Administration
Robert Mullin - Business Owner
Michael R. Neaton – School Resource Officer (Retired New York State Police)
Sheila Peo – Academic Counselor
Katherine Wears – Associate Dean Clarkson University School
of Business
Ex-officio Members
Reverend Christopher C. Carrara, Vicar for Pastoral Personnel
(non-voting)
(Vacant), Promoter of Justice (voting)
County District Attorney Offices
St. Lawrence County: (315) 379-2225 or St. Lawrence
County District Attorney | St. Lawrence County (stlawco.org)
Jefferson County: (315) 785-3053 or Welcome to
Jefferson County, New York - District Attorney
Lewis County: (315) 376-5390 or Lewis
County, New York- District Attorney
Franklin County: (518) 483-8400 or Welcome
to Franklin County, NY
Hamilton County: (518) 648-5113 or Departments
& Services | Hamilton County NY
Herkimer County: (315) 867-1155 or District
Attorney | Herkimer County NY
Clinton County: (518) 565-4770 or Clinton
County, NY - DA's Office (clintoncountygov.com)
Essex County: (518) 873-3335 or District Attorney –
Essex County, New York
Child Protective Services
Statewide: 1-800-342-3720
If you believe that a minor is in immediate danger, call 911
or your local police department.
Click here to view Virtus Training's that are available.
How do I retrieve my User ID and / or password?
If you can’t remember your User
ID or Password, go here: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/forgot_password.cfm If you can't get into your account, do
not register for a new one!
How can I update my outdated email address?
There are two ways to update your
outdated email address. If your account is active, you can log into your
account to update the information. After logging in, select your
"Toolbox" tab and then select "Update My Account" from the
list on the left. Here you can update your contact information and add an
additional parish / school to your account.
Otherwise, contact us
at Safe Environment Office for assistance. Your Virtus online
coordinator is:
Jean Grizzuto at 315-393-2920.
How do I retrieve my
required monthly training bulletins once I log into my account?
All individuals who have been designated
by the Diocese as requiring online continued training will have a
"Training" tab at the top of the page when they log into their
accounts. Then go to Training Bulletins to identify any missed
(unread) bulletins.
For answers to other Frequently
Asked Questions and Support Matters, please
visit: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/virtus_help_faq.cfm
The following must have a criminal history background check
completed prior to hire or commencement of ministry:
+ All
clergy, including the Diocesan Bishop, religious, Catholic School principals
and teachers, faith formation leaders, catechists, seminarians, diaconate
program aspirants, and youth ministers.
+ Those who
assist in youth ministry, all volunteers (18 years or older) whose duties
include contact with minors, and all chaperones for overnight activities even
if only for a single event.
+ All paid
personnel employed by the parish, Catholic School, Church institutions, and
diocesan staff.
All criminal history background checks will be completed by
the Diocesan Safe Environment Office or its designees using the format
prescribed by the SEO. The employer (Diocese, parish, Catholic school, or
related entity) must contact the Director of the Office of Safe Environment to
discuss the hiring or use of anyone who has a record of any misdemeanor or
felony before that individual is hired or permitted to volunteer.
The employer (Diocese,
parish, Catholic school, or related entity) must contact the Director of the
Office of Safe Environment to discuss the potential hiring or use of anyone who
has a record of any misdemeanor or felony before a final hiring decision is made
or that individual is permitted to volunteer.
John Morrison
Director of Safe Environment
Charter Compliance Coordinator
315-393-2920
Father Christopher Carrara
Vicar for Clergy
315-393-2920