Mission Statement
Dedicated to insuring a culture of safe and respectful conduct in all ministries of the Diocese of Fort Worth, enhancing and protecting the dignity and trust of all God’s people.
Resources
USCCB Resources: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!
USCCB Keeping Our Promise to Protect Resource (April 2010)
Keeping Our Promise to Protect: ArticlesPraesidium Safety Bulletin: Focus on Youth Sports
Abuse Prevention Kit (English & Spanish)
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (Resource Links)
Safe Environment Program
Recognize, Respond, Refer BrochureReconocer, Responder, Referir FolletoNhan Biet Phan Ung Chuyen Den
Note: If you are unable to open the PDF files you will need to download Adobe Reader.
Creating a safe environment for children and young people is a diocesan priority. Article 12 of the US Bishops’ document, The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, requires U.S. dioceses to establish "safe environment programs" and gives the necessary elements of these programs.
The diocesan safe environment program includes:
- Training for all volunteers regarding the dynamics of abuse and abuse-prevention strategies
(required every 3 years)
- Evaluation of the backgrounds of all employees and volunteers
- Review and signing of the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior
All programs require the presence of two adults or one adult and two older teen.
This policy extends to:
- All Church-sponsored trainings and events regardless of where the programs or activities are held.
- Catholic school events and activities outside of a regular classroom setting
- Religious education classes and programs
- Youth ministry programs and events
- Liturgy of the Word for children
- Rite of Christian Initiation adapted for children
- Babysitting, nursery and child care programs
- Choirs for children and youth
- Altar server training
- Vacation Bible School
- Scouting
All employees are screened during the interview and hiring process. All new volunteers are to be interviewed and screened. The interview and screening packet for volunteers is available here.
Links
Contact
Judy Locke
Director of Child and Youth Protection
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 201
jlocke@fwdioc.org