Initiatives for Protecting Children

Archdiocese of Washington Director of Child Protection

The revised Archdiocese of Washington Child Protection Policy outlines the responsibilities of the Director of Child Protection, a newly created position.

The Director of Child Protection is to be the liaison for any person who alleges abuse as a minor. Responsibilities include receiving notification of all allegations of abuse, explaining Archdiocesan policies and reporting requirements and ensuring that the person receives appropriate pastoral care. The director is to meet with the victims, their families, the affected parish and faith communities and to monitor their pastoral needs to confirm that ongoing care is available for the appropriate period of time.

The director reports to the Vicar General in Curia.

Marcy Zvara, M.S.W. began as the Director of Child Protection Services for the Archdiocese of Washington on April 1, 2003.

Ms. Zvara has extensive experience in social services, having held senior positions with the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, the Montgomery County Department of Social Services and, most recently, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

Between 1996-2003, Ms. Zvara was been a senior assistant to the director for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

Prior to that, her responsibilities included working with the chairs and staffs of the 13 boards and commissions that advise the Department of Health and Human Services, working with staff of the county council’s Health and Human Services Committee and handling special assignments such as legislative analysis for health and human services.

From 1988 to 1996, she was a special projects manager for the county’s Department of Social Services, coordinating staffing for the county’s Welfare Reform Task Force and chairing the committee that led to state legislation to enable Montgomery County to consolidate four health and human services departments into one county agency.

Ms. Zvara also served as chief of the Family Services Division, Montgomery County Department of Social Services and as assistant director of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. In each position, she managed the delivery of an extensive network of social services, including family services.

She received a B.A. in psychology from Oberlin College in 1964 and a master’s in social work from the Howard University School of Social Work in 1968. She is a licensed clinical social worker.