Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle has a long and dedicated history of providing a variety of ministries and programs to meet the many needs of the parish community. The value of parish programs has also included the unwavering expectation that the environment for carrying out these ministries be safe, healthy and grounded in respect for the dignity of all persons participating.

The parish has in place updated policies and procedures regarding persons with particular responsibilities for program leadership. For many years, paid staff has had to agree to a background check as a condition of employment. More recently, volunteers working alone with children and vulnerable adults have also undergone background checks as a condition of participating in parish ministry.

After finalizing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Archdiocese extended a standardized background check requirement for all volunteers who regularly work or have contact (even one time) with minors or vulnerable adults in a supervisory, leadership, chaperone, care-giving, teaching or similar relationship. St. Thomas the Apostle fully complies with this requirement.

The parish has no knowledge of a situation where a child or vulnerable adult has been abused or exploited by a paid staff person or volunteer working under a parish program. Should such knowledge surface, the parish will fully comply with reporting expectations of both civil and archdiocesan authorities.

Accordingly, these parish guidelines reflect the most current recommendations and suggestions form the Archdiocese and from the McDowell Agency, an independent agency working as a consultant to parishes. More details are available from the parish office.

Guidelines

• All ministers working in organized parish ministries with children and vulnerable adults must be registered members of the parish and participate in appropriate training provided by the parish for their ministry.
• Ministers working with children and vulnerable adults will be asked to complete a ministry application/information sheet AND agree to have a parish-paid background check EVERY THREE YEARS conducted by the McDowell Agency.
• No one may work with children and/or vulnerable adults in parish organized ministries unless they have passed a parish-paid background check.
• Staff should be notified immediately if there are any questions or concerns about these guidelines and/or about any situation involving the inappropriate treatment of children or vulnerable adults.
• Parents of children participating in parish ministry offerings are always welcome to be present at any session. However, they may only assist their own children and may not volunteer unless they have completed a background check.
• Ministers younger than 18 who work with children will need to provide written statements from trustworthy adults attesting to their character and dependability for their ministry position.
• These guidelines will be reviewed on at least an annual basis.

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