St. Frances Cabrini RCC

Child Safety

 Our programs and efforts to take care of the greatest gifts from God: our young.
 

Our children are one of the most precious of all of the gifts we have from God. At the Church of St. Frances Cabrini we take seriously our commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment so that everyone, especially our children and young people, can live and grow in a Catholic Christian atmosphere of acceptance and joy.

 As a church of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, our parish complies with all diocesan policies and practices - including compliance with The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (known as The Dallas Charter), adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at Dallas in 2002 and revised in 2005.
 
 
 

• You can find information concerning the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s efforts to protect children at the webpage for the Office of the Protection of Children and Young People by clicking here.

•  You can read the full text of The Dallas Charter in its entirety online by clicking here.

Pre-Employment/Pre-Ministry Application
Along with having an interview with the Ministries Coordinator and Area Ministry Leader, prospective employees and ministers of St. Frances Cabrini - including all Priests, Deacons, Religious, Professional Staff and Volunteers – complete a full application which includes references and consent to conduct a Criminal Background Check. Therefore all parishioners, especially parents/guardians, can be assured that everyone who is currently ministering in our parish has been cleared to be working with children.

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Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention
After the successful completion of the application process everyone ministering in our parish must participate in the VIRTUS® module Protecting God’s Children for Adults (for complete information about VIRTUS® and its modules please see www.virtus.org).

At this time all participants are asked to make a formal commitment to protecting children from abuse by agreeing to and signing a Code of Conduct. The following is the complete text of the Code of Conduct agreed to by our Volunteer Ministers.

Volunteer’s Code of Conduct

Our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us. As a volunteer, I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in this Volunteer’s Code of Conduct as a condition of my providing services to the children and youth of our parish.

 As a volunteer, I will:

•         Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
•        Avoid situations where I am alone with children and/or youth at Church activities.
•         Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children.
•         Refuse to accept expensive gifts from children or parents without prior written approval from pastor or admin.
•         Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children without prior written approval from the parent/guardian & the pastor or administrator.
•         Report suspected abuse to the pastor, administrator, or appropriate supervisor and the New York State Child Registry

 (1-800-342-3720). I understand that failure to report suspected abuse to civil authorities is, according to the law, a misdemeanor.
•         Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children and/or youth.

As a volunteer, I will not:

•       Smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children and/or youth.
•          Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
•          Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.
•          Pose any health risk to children and/or youth (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations).
•          Strike, spank, shake, or slap children and/or youth.
•          Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade children and/or youth.
•          Touch a child and/or youth in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
•          Use any discipline that frightens or humiliates children and/or youth.
•          Use profanity in the presence of children and/or youth.

I understand that as a volunteer working with children and/or youth, I am subject to a thorough background check including criminal history. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in my removal as a volunteer with children and/or youth.

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Ongoing Risk Management Assessment and Review
No program of Safety and Risk Management can be complete without regular periodic review and assessment. Not only are these assessments completed by the Parish Staff and reviewed by the Diocese, but we urge all parishioners to also take a part in our safety efforts.  We desire and promote an atmosphere of open dialogue with every parishioner especially where children are concerned.

•       If you witness a crime against a child or the property – CALL 911.

 
•          If you see something that requires attention – PLEASE TELL US.

 
•          If you have a question, comment or concern – CONTACT US.

 
•          If you would like to learn more – ASK US.

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