There are two major ways the Diocese is held accountable for compliance with the Safe Environment protocol:

Safe Environment Audits
The Diocese undergoes yearly data collection and on-site audits by an independent agency for compliance with Safe Environment procedures and protocols, including analysis to determine that allegations of abuse are appropriately responded to and reported. The USCCB requires a yearly data collection audit and an on-site audit every three years. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston voluntarily elects to be audited on-site every year as opposed to every three years. During these audits, the Diocese also is audited on communications, dissemination of information, documentation, record-keeping, and best safety practices as they pertain to Safe Environment. The USCCB, in turn, releases publicly the independent audit agency’s summarized results in an annual report. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston also engages Monaca, Pennsylvania-based CSI, an independent organization comprised of experienced professionals from law-enforcement, public safety, academia, and the private sector, who specialize in various services focused upon safety. At the Diocese’s request and as an added layer of accountability, CSI representatives also conduct audits and spot checks to ensure compliance, accuracy, and consistency at the local level as well as fingerprinting for clergy and schools.

Independent Review Board (formerly known as the Sexual Abuse Review Board)
The Diocese’s Safe Environment efforts also are overseen by a Review Board comprised of lay members that meets regularly to ensure that proper reporting and preventive procedures are followed.

Member – Dr. Norman Ferrari M.D. 
Norman D. Ferrari III, MD was appointed Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs for the West Virginia University School of Medicine, as well as the founding Chair of the Department of Medical Education in 2012. He is a Professor of Medical Education, Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Dr. Ferrari received a BA degree in Chemistry from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences of West Virginia University, with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1978. He graduated from the WVU School of Medicine in 1982 having been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. At West Virginia University Hospitals, he completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in 1986. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. 

Member – Dr. Rick Greco M.D. 
Dr. Rick A Greco is an Internal Medicine Specialist in Wheeling, West Virginia. He graduated with honors from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986. Dr. Greco serves as Review Board chair.

Member – Fr. Sebastian Devasya
Father Sebastian Devasya is a native of the State of Kerala, Diocese of Thamarassery, India. His pastoral service history in India includes: Convener of Diocese Liturgical Committee, Rector of Diocesan Minor Seminary, Member of Personnel Board, Diocesan Director or Catechism, Member of Diocesan Administrative Tribunal, Professor of Liturgy at: Mary Matha Major Seminary in Thrissur, St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary in Aluva, MCBS Major Seminary in Thamarassery, and Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Kunnoth. Father Sebastian received his bachelor’s in philosophy and theology from St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary and his licentiate and doctorate from Gregorian University, Rome. He came to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 2015 as an Associate Pastor. He became the Pastor of Sacred Heart Parishes in Bluefield and Princeton, WV in 2016. He was named Vicar Forane of the Beckley Vicariate in 2021. He was named Associate Vicar for Clergy in 2023 and named the Episcopal Vicar for Clergy in May of 2024. In the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Fr. Sebastian holds seats on the Presbyteral Council, Clergy Personnel Committee, and the Diocesan Consultors Advisory Board.

Member – Ms. Rhonda Wade 
Rhonda L. Wade has worked in the legal profession for 28 years in the Ohio Valley. She has spent the past 15 of those 28 years at the Marshall County, WV, Prosecuting Attorney’s office and has served as Prosecutor and Assistant Prosecutor since July of 2015. She retired July of 2022. She is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and she is a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law.

Kimberly Griffith, Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, Human Resources and Facilities, Wesbanco, Board Member
Kimberly Griffith is a seasoned HR leader with more than 20 years of experience and a proven record of success in developing and executing HR initiatives across all bank business lines and functions. Since joining WesBanco in 2006, she has been instrumental in growing the workforce to approximately 2,300 team members, leading the HR effort through multiple mergers and acquisitions, implementing more efficient HR processes and forming the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Ms. Griffith holds a Bachelor of Arts in industrial psychology with a minor in business from West Virginia University and a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification. In addition to the DWC Review Board, she is a board member of the Youth Services System of Upper Ohio Valley and a member of Leadership West Virginia.

West Virginia State Police SGT James “Jimmy” Dean (retired), Board Member
Sgt. Dean has nearly 30 years of experience as a West Virginia State Trooper. Of those 30 years, he has spent more than two decades serving on the Crimes Against Children Unit for the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. There, he developed specialized skills to interview both child victims and perpetrators of crimes. He also received training and developed technological skills used to identify perpetrators who use the internet to sexually exploit children. Throughout his career, he has worked hundreds of cases involving child abuse, child neglect, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation. Many of these cases entailed investigations of individuals who produce and trade images of child pornography or engage in the sexual solicitation of minors – which are computer-facilitated crimes. Sgt. Dean has extensive experience working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, as well as the FBI and U.S. Marshal Service. He also conducted internet safety classes for schools and organizations throughout the region. Over the years, he has obtained certifications in Active Shooter; Law Enforcement Response to Child Abuse; Cyber Investigation; and Sexual Offender and Physical Abuse Training, among several others. He currently serves on the School Safety Unit in the Northern Panhandle for West Virginia’s Capitol Police. Sgt. Dean studied History and Criminal Justice at West Virginia Northern Community College; earned a bachelor’s degree in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University; and an associate’s degree in Criminal Science from Marshall University. In his spare time, Sgt. Dean has been active as a parishioner and volunteer at St. Michael’s Parish and School and Central Catholic High School, all in Wheeling, WV.

Nancy Georges, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, LPC, CCAC LSW, Board Member
Dr. Nancy Georges has been a practicing counselor in Wheeling, WV for nearly 30 years. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University; a master’s degree in counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio); and a Bachelor of Science in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences from Wheeling Jesuit University. Much of Nancy’s career has been shaped by her dedication/focus on adult populations who suffer from the manifestations of childhood sexual abuse. This focus has led to extensive experience with clients suffering from a multitude of trauma-based issues, (post-traumatic stress, anxiety, addiction etc.) which has also developed into extensive work with inmates within the prison walls. Nancy has served on many Boards including Harmony House Child Advocacy Center and SAC. Nancy has been a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph and St. Vincent De Paul Parish, both in Wheeling.