The Safe Environment Program in the Catholic Church is more than just making our parishes and schools safe places for our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. In addition, we hope that all clergy, employees, and volunteers’ task themselves with protecting the young and vulnerable in their workplaces, neighborhoods, communities, and even their own homes. Our goal is greater than just safe environments within the four walls of our parishes and schools, but safer communities for all God’s children to live, learn and grow. Did you know...?
Find more information on the Safe Environment Program in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee here.
Every priest, deacon, parish or school staff member, teacher and lay minister that is employed by a parish or school and any volunteer working with minors in our archdiocese is required to meet three requirements:
1-Attend a Safe Environment Education Session. This is a child abuse and maltreatment prevention program that must be attended in person. The current curriculum taught in this session utilizes the Safe Haven series from Catholic Mutual Group.
2-Pass a Criminal Background Check. The criminal background check is completed after attending the Safe Environment Education Class. A new check is also done at the start of employment for anyone becoming an employee of the parish or a school. This check must be done every five (5) years subsequently. The criminal background check is conducted through the CMG Connect portal. The criminal background check reports are reviewed and certified through the collaboration of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment Office and parish/school Safe Environment coordinators.
3-Sign the Code of Ethical Standards. This code of conduct provides clergy, volunteers, and employees with expectations and guidelines for how they interact with and conduct themselves in ministry. This code must be signed prior to beginning volunteering or working in a parish or school and is reviewed every five (5) years subsequently. Whenever the Code of Ethics is revised, it must be reviewed and signed again.
Upon successful completion of the above activities, the Safe Environment Coordinator certifies that all requirements have been met and certifies the individual. This certification must renewed every 5 years, currently it is renewed through a short online course, submission of new background check and review, acknowledgement and signing the current version of the Code of Ethical Standards.
Registration questions? Contact Marilyn Putz, our Tri-Parish Safe Environment Coordinator at mputz@gmail.com.
Resources
A Prayer for Healing (Bilingual)
Novena for Protection & Healing from Abuse (English) (Spanish)
10 Tips for Protecting Children & Offering Outreach to Victims/Survivors (English) (Spanish)
Keeping Children & Teens Safe Online (English) (Spanish)
5 Ways to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse (English) (Spanish)