Updates to the Safe Environment Programs

April 19, 2012 Update

A more detailed explanation of the volunteer requirements can be found by clicking on the link below.

Volunteer Explanation

January 24, 2012 Update

On January 2, 2012 The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki issued a decree of Promulgation to revise the Pastoral Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel.

When does it take effect?

The revisions to the policy become effective July 1, 2012 with compliance of the policies provisions throughout the diocese by January 1, 2013.

How has the policy changed?

The policies major revision directly affecting parishes and schools in the diocese is the inclusion of ALL volunteers within the policy definition of Church personnel.

The policy no longer limits compliance with the policy to those volunteers with regular and significant contact with minors. The policy now expands the definition of Church Personnel as follows:

Article III, b. 4):

"All religious and lay persons 18 years of age and older serving in any volunteer capacity in the parishes, schools, agencies and other institutions of the diocese of Springfield in Illinois to include volunteers in ministries of the liturgy (i.e., Eucharistic/Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters/Hospitality, Choir members, Musicians and Equipment Technicians), volunteering in the parishes schools agencies and other institutions of the diocese".

With the new policy all volunteers in a parish or school regardless of volunteer reason or position would be required to attend the diocese Virtus® Protecting God's Children Training and undergo a Criminal History Background Check. This includes for example, volunteers working at parish festivals and fund raising events, etc.

Preparing for Compliance with the New Policy

Planned publication of the revised policy:

• Catholic Times,
• Diocesan web site
• All Protecting God's Children Training,
• Bulletin announcements
• Explanation of the reason for the change in policy will accompany these publications.

Facilitators of the Protecting God's Children Program

• New Facilitators
• Current Facilitators
• Safe Environment Coordinators

New Facilitators

We'll need more trained facilitators of the Protecting God's Children program to be able to train all volunteers. Advising parishes to have more trained facilitators of the Virtus® Protecting God's Children Training Program per parish or parish group.

Recommendations:

• 2,500 or more parishioners - A minimum of 3 trained facilitators
• 1,000 – 2,499 parishioners – A minimum of 2 trained facilitators
• Less than 1,000 parishioners – A minimum of 1 trained facilitator

Requirements: Facilitators should have attended the Protecting God's Children Program and completed a criminal history background check for the diocese, be at least 21 years of age, be available to schedule and facilitate trainings at various times to accommodate the work schedules of those in need of training including evenings and on weekends and be willing and comfortable to lead discussions, communicate information, complete paperwork and speak to groups of people on the topic of child sexual abuse. 1 ½ day training sessions is as follows:

Download the Training Invite & RSVP - A Form

Training Schedule for New Facilitators
held at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 1615 W. Washington, Springfield

	Day/Date	AM - PM	Conference Rom
Training 1	Tuesday, May 15 & Wednesday, May 16	8:30 – 4:00 9:00 – 1:00	2nd Floor
Training 2	Friday, May 18 & Saturday, May 19	8:30 – 4:00 9:00 – 1:00	2nd Floor
Training 3	Tuesday, June 5 & Wednesday, June 6	8:30 – 4:00 9:00 – 1:00	2nd Floor
Training 4	Tuesday, June 12 & Wednesday, June 13	8:30 – 4:00 9:00 – 1:00	2nd Floor
Training 5	Friday, June 15 & Saturday, June 15	8:30 – 4:00 9:00 – 1:00	1st Floor

Current Facilitators

Training meeting for current facilitators of the Protecting God's Children Program.

Download the Training Invite & RSVP – B form

Training For Current Facilitators of the Protecting God's Children Program
CPC, 1615 W. Washington, Springfield, IL
2nd Floor Conference Room on the following dates.

• Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 9 AM – 2 PM
• Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 9 AM – 2 PM
• Saturday, March 24, 2012 – 9AM – 2PM

Safe Environment Coordinators

Parishes are to appoint one person (volunteer or employee) at the parish to be the Safe Environment Coordinator for the parish.

The responsibilities for the position are:

• Ensure that all volunteers and employees are compliant with the training and criminal history background check requirements of the Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel.
• Monitor parish diocese PGC Web database listing to make changes, deletions, etc. to update the PGC database
• Assist with rechecks of the criminal history background checks
• Assist & coordinate the full completion of the Annual Parish Safe Environment Audit.

Download the Training Invite & RSVP – C form

Training Meeting for Parish Safe Environment Coordinators
March 14, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 PM –
CPC 1615 W. Washington, Springfield, IL, 1st floor conference Room

Streamlining the background check process

The diocese is currently working on a web based criminal history background search process that in most cases would be accessed by the individual at their leisure to complete online. This process would also provide automatic rechecks of individuals still in employment or volunteer service.