Resources for Parish Youth Leaders

Section One | Section Two | Section Three | Section Four

Introduction

• A Note to Parish Leaders and Acknowledgements
• Diocesan Organizational Structure
• Human Resources: Calling for Assistance

Mark Simeroth
Director of Human Resources
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 154
msimeroth@fwdioc.org


• Deaneries
• Deanery Representative Description

Note: If you are unable to open the PDF files you will need to download Adobe Reader.

Section: One

• 1.1a-b On and off Site Parish Youth Ministry Guidelines English | Spanish
• 1.2 Tool: How Safe Is Your Youth Ministry?
• 1.3 List of Safety Organizations
• 1.4 Procedures for Accidents On Diocesan Property
• 1.5a Who Can Drive
• 1.5b Unacceptable Driver
• 1.5c Volunteer driver Information Sheet
• 1.5d Employee Driver Information Sheet
• 1.6 Legal definition of negligence
• 1.7 Legal Counsel

Section: Two

• 2.1 Step by Step Process and Forms for Bringing on New Volunteers
  This page includes:
  • 2.2a Adult Interview Form
  • 2.2b Youth Interview Form
  • 2.3a Adult Time, Talent Survey Form
  • 2.3b Youth Time, Talent Survey Form
  • 2.4a Adult Volunteer Application Form
  • 2.4b Youth Volunteer Application Form
  • 2.5a Adult Reference Check Form
  • 2.5b Youth Reference Check Form
• 2.8 Training Your Ministry Staff
• 2.9 Self-assessment of Competencies of Youth Ministry
• 2.10 Ethical Conduct for Those Who Serve in the Church
• 2.11 Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
• 2.12 Policy on Sexual Misconduct
• 2.13 Copyright Policy
• 2.14 CVLI License (video license)
• 2.15 First Aid

Section: Three

• 3.1 Recommended Guidelines for Adolescent Retreats
  This document includes:
• Theological Principles Guiding Retreats
• Psychological Principles Guiding Retreats
• Catechetical Principles Guiding Youth Retreats
• Developmental Principles Guiding Youth Retreats

Section: Four

• 4.1Diocesan Release Forms and Overview
  This page includes:
• 4.2a FORM A Diocesan Release Form for youth English
• 4.2b FORM A Diocesan Release Form for youth Spanish
• 4.3a FORM B Parent/Guardian Permission and Medical Consent to Treat English
• 4.3b FORM B Parent/Guardian Permission and Medical Consent to Treat Spanish
• 4.3c FORM B2 Youth Promotional Release English
• 4.3d FORM B2 Youth Promotional Release Spanish
• 4.5a FORM D Adult Release/Waiver of Liability and Promotional Release English
• 4.5b FORM D Adult Release/Waiver of Liability and Promotional Release Spanish
• 4.6a Special Event Accident Insurance Overview
• 4.6b Special Event Insurance Request Form
• 4.7 OYM/AC Incident Report Form

Online Chaperone Training

We have set up a generic login for the chaperone course. The login is "chaperone" and the password is "chaperone." For chaperones who already have Armatus accounts, they can use either the generic login or their own logins.

To access the training here are the instructions:

1. Go to www.praesidiuminc.com
2. Click on "Armatus Training NEW"
3. Click on "Click here to begin Armatus online training (login required)."
4. Enter login and password. The login is chaperone and the password is chaperone. Chaperones who already have Armatus accounts can use either the generic login/password or their own login/passwords.
5. Scroll down and click on "Online Chaperone Training."
6. Complete the course and the quiz.
7. Complete the survey at the end of the chaperone course which will prompt for first name, last name and parish name (a dropdown list).

A Note to Parish Leaders

The publication of these Youth Ministry Risk Management Guidelines represent an important step in the care and nurture of youth throughout the Diocese. Many parish /youth ministry leaders already employ the strategies noted here, but at the very least, these guidelines will affirm the good work that is being done.

These guidelines should be a source of help in the preparation for the work you do with youth. The purpose here is to manage our risk, not to remove all risk. To eliminate all risk would be to do nothing at all with youth and the gospel calls us far beyond that. Finally, these guidelines are a living document with the full intent of periodic revisions to meet the needs of a changing world and always to respond with the deepest care for our youth.

Note: If you are unable to open the PDF files you will need to download Adobe Reader.

Acknowledgements

Guidelines for Catholic Youth Ministry, 1994
The Office of Youth Ministry, Archdiocese of San Antonio

Youth Works Volume, 1995
Center for Ministry Development

Religious Education and the Law: A Handbook for Parish Catechetical Leaders, NCEA, 1996
Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN

A Primer on Law for DREs and Youth Ministers, NCEA, 1992
Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN

Better Safe Than Sued, Group Books, 1998
Jack Crabtree