Safe Environment Program

While the Newman Center does not serve minors, we are participants in the Archdiocsan Safe Environment program.

Reporting Abuse

Victims of sexual abuse, in addition to contacting civil authorities, are asked to come forward in order to receive pastoral assistance. Reports of abuse may be made to any Pastor or to:
Sandra Price, Executive Director
Office of Child & Youth Protection
314-792-7271
sandraprice@archstl.org

Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline:
1-800-392-3738

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline:
1-800-392-0210

Safe Environment Program for Adult Employees, Volunteers, Religious, Priests and Deacons

See the full Child Protection Policy at https://www.preventandprotectstl.org/

The Archdiocese’s Safe Environment Program requires all adult employees and volunteers who work with or near minors and/or vulnerable adults to comply with the following policy requirements:

• Attend a Protecting God’s Children live workshop and complete online updates every three years.
• Understand and sign the Archdiocese’s Code of Ethical Conduct for Clergy, Employees, and Volunteers Working in Ministry.
• Complete a national criminal record check and agree to regular updates.

The Protecting God’s Children program, developed by VIRTUS® and employed by many dioceses, educates participants to identify the signs of child sexual abuse, understand the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and be aware of the steps that can be taken to prevent ongoing or future abuse. Over 400 workshops are held each year at the Cardinal Rigali Center, parishes, schools and agencies throughout the Archdiocese. The workshops are led by 175 trained local facilitators who not only share the two videos at the center of the training program, A Time to Protect God’s Children™ and A Plan to Protect God’s Children™, but who also incorporate our archdiocesan policies and procedures into the training, address the reporting of child or vulnerable adult sexual abuse, explain the screening and selection of employees and volunteers, and share victim advocacy efforts.

In addition, students in grades K-9 in archdiocesan schools and parish school of religion programs receive annual age-appropriate instruction in the Safe Touch curriculum to enable them to protect themselves from potential abuse. This local curriculum was developed in partnership with West County Psychological Associates, the Archdiocesan Child Safety Committee, and area educators and school administrators. Discussion topics range from physical boundaries to online safety.

Working in conjunction with the Office of Child and Youth Protection, each parish and archdiocesan school and agency employs a Child Safety Coordinator (CSC) whose role is to ensure employee and volunteer compliance with the three Safe Environment policy requirements outlined above. The CSC maintains the parish, school or agency’s records of compliance which are audited annually by the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

We invite you to join us in our abuse prevention efforts by registering today, and we thank you in advance for your service to the Archdiocese of St. Louis!

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Adults—Protecting God’s Children

This program provides education regarding what signs to look for in the detection of abuse, both in circumstances and events which might indicate abuse as well as signs in the minors themselves. To sign up for training, to submit the background check information, and to sign the code of ethics go to https://www.preventandprotectstl.org/registration/register.htm to register.

Use the Passcode stlprotect

To view the workshop schedule go here: https://www.preventandprotectstl.org/s/stlouis/pgc.htm

Individuals who are victims of sexual abuse and who are required to be in compliance in order to work or volunteer in SPA are encouraged to contact the Executive Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection (314-792-7271) to inquire about alternative educational materials.

Any questions and all returned forms may be directed to Fr. Nick Winker

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Children & Youth—Safe Touch Curriculum

Students in Archdiocesan day schools and parish schools of religion (grades K-9) receive an age-appropriate curriculum annually. The Safe Touch curriculum has been approved by the Archdiocesan Child Safety Committee and was developed in part nership with professionals from various backgrounds including education, psychology and religious. The curriculum aims to teach children about healthy and appropriate boundaries, how to identify safe adults in whom they can confide, and teaches applicable steps they can take if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Parents or guardians are encouraged to view the curriculum in advance and reinforce key concepts at home. If a parent or guardian has concerns or objections about such material, these are to be addressed at the school and/or parish level, as appropriate. Child(ren) may be excused from the curriculum at the request of their parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian does request that their child be excused, they will be provided with the curriculum to teach at home. If a parent or guardian declines and chooses not to provide the curriculum at home, they will be asked to complete and sign the “opt out” form provided by the school. Should the parent or guardian decline to sign the “opt out” form this should be noted on the student’s form completed by the “lead teacher.” The Safe Touch Program for Children and Youth will
be coordinated and taught by a lead teacher designated by the principal or pastor and trained by Safe Environment Program staff.

Safe Environment Program for Student Employees & Volunteers

For the purposes of this Policy, students include anyone who has not turned 18 years old and/or who has turned 18 years old but has not graduated from high school or completed the equivalent education level.

Code of Ethical Conduct for Minors Volunteering  or Working with Younger Children

Young people who volunteer or work with or near minors as part of a high school service project or any other parish program or activity must sign the Code of Ethical Conduct for Minors Volunteering or Working with Younger Children. Parents or guardians must also sign this form and attest that the young person has nothing in his or her history that would prevent them from working with or near minors.

Minimum Age for Lead Chaperones for Events Involving Minors

For purposes of compliance, someone who is 18 years old and out of high school is considered an adult. However, when someone is serving as the lead chaperone for an event involving minors, he or she must be at least 21 years old, and his or her fitness must be determined by the SPA sponsoring the youth event