Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Protection of Children and Youth Initiative

Keeping All God’s Children Safer - PCYI Bulletin: Vol. 3 Issue 1: Fall 2009

Each person is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God. 

God is love;

Therefore, each person is made in the image of love and created to act in love. 

Our bodies are sacred and holy.

(Principle #1, “Principles for Child Protection Catechesis”, Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis)

Moving from Compliance to Conversion to Revitalization

Teresa M. Kettelkamp, executive director of the USCCB’s Office of Child and Youth Protection, recently offered the following thoughts about refocusing on the goals  outlined in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

 

“It is time to refocus and to remember why we do what we do. The primary goal is to protect children, to keep them safe in churches, schools and homes. Another goal is to heal the victims/survivors of clergy abuse…

 

“The Charter has changed the culture of the Church forever. Making sure children are safe has become an integral part of everyday church life. The English-speaking Catholic Episcopal Conferences meet each year to review how each Conference handles clergy sexual abuse. The Church in the United States stands as a leader among that group. The impact of the U.S. church goes well beyond its borders…

 

“There is much for which to be proud. Knowing that and focusing on the why of this work can revitalize efforts to continue to work to provide safe environments for children and to welcome the victims/survivors to the healing they deserve.” 

 

You may see the above message from  Ms Kettelkamp in its entirety at http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/

 

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week:

October 4- 10, 2009  

We get many inquiries every year regarding bullying prevention curriculum at both the elementary and secondary levels.  The Minnesota-based Pacer Center has begun developing a complete line of materials through their National Center for Bullying Prevention.  Many of the resources may be downloaded free of charge and other materials may be ordered at very reasonable prices.  We highly recommend that you view the materials online at: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/

In particular, you may be interested in viewing:

·  Lesson Plan and Bullying Prevention Videos for Elementary School Children and “Kids Against Bullying Website”

·  “Teens Against Bullying Website” and “Monday through Friday Classroom Toolkit”

·  In the Publications link, the Pacer Center has a number of free, downloadable handouts for parents, educators and children.  Some of the resources are available in Spanish and Somali.

School Reminders: MN Law Changes Impact Handbooks, Hiring Procedures

Please remember that since September 1, 2008 schools have been required by law to notify parents and guardians each year about the school’s criminal background check policy.  Additionally, each school must identify the list of volunteer and paid positions which are subject to background checks.   The policy and the list of positions must be included in the school’s student handbook. Click here to find out more.

Under a change in state law effective May 1, 2009, school hiring authorities are required to investigate whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a teacher's teaching license. This investigation is done online via the Teacher Discipline Inquiry System (TDIS) search. The TDIS Search Verification and Release form must be signed by the applicant before you run a TDIS search.  Please visit the PCYI page for more information.  If you need additional assistance or are hiring teachers from out of state, please contact Sharon Tomlin at 651-290-1622 or tomlins@archspm.org.   

Check out the PCYI Page

Did you know that many of the resources your site utilizes to meet PCYI requirements are posted on the PCYI page of the Archdiocese's website?

Among the many resources posted on the PCYI page:

·  Audit Report forms

·  Links to VIRTUS sessions scheduled and session scheduling forms
·  Procedures and forms for employee/volunteer background checks
·  Codes of Pastoral Conduct
·  Children’s curriculum information
·  Online order forms for many materials

·  USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in three languages

Please Remember:

Fall Audit Reports are

Due October 15, 2009

Contact PCYI:

If you have questions about children’s safe environment lessons or adult safe environment requirements, please contact PCYI staff at:

 pcyi@archspm.org

 

Sharon: 651-290-1622

Rita: 651-251-7742

Fax: 651-290-1628

 

PCYI
328 West Kellogg Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Reminder: Performing Arts

Remember that performing arts presentations may be used to introduce and enhance PCYI lessons.  When discussions are included with performing arts presentations, they may replace one lesson. Children and youth should not see the same performance more than once. (Source: PCYI: Resource Book, Section II, Page 4).

Recommendation:                 Parent Resource  

The booklet Catholic Parent Know How: Keeping Our Children Safe by Our Sunday Visitor was approved by Archbishop Nienstedt for distribution to parents who opted their children out of onsite personal safety instruction in 2008-2009. 

This year, we are encouraging school and faith formation leaders to consider sharing this booklet with parents if it's been a few years since you offered parent information on this topic.  You may find out more about purchasing the booklets at  www.teachingcatholickids.com.  The Inventory number is X674.  It is available in packages of 10.    

New from NetSmartz: Correlations with National Technology Standards

NetSmartz is giving educators yet another tool to help them with their curriculum planning.  NetSmartz has correlated its resources with the National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS).  All of the activity cards, tunes, animated activities/vignettes, and supplemental activities have been correlated with NETS.  We recently heard that NetSmartz is also working on correlating the curriculum to both Health Education and Language Arts. 

You may find the correlations to technology standards at: http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/tech-standards.htm or on the PCYI page of the archdiocesan website.

Please remember that the Archdiocese also has alignments between all PCYI approved curricula and Archdiocesan Religion Standards posted on the PCYI page.

VIRTUS: Vulnerable Adults

VIRTUS recently posted a document which adapts the VIRTUS messages to address the concerns of those who work with vulnerable adults. The document defines in general terms who could be considered a vulnerable adult, provides statistics on the prevalence and types of abuse against those in this special population and addresses the question of why vulnerable adults often remain silent about abuse. The document outlines the VIRTUS 5 Steps from a vulnerable adult protection perspective.  Click here to download this document.

Contact Greta Sawyer, Victim Assistance Advocate:

If you or someone you know would like to discuss reporting sexual misconduct, please contact Greta Sawyer at 651-291-4497 or sawyerg@archspm.org