Together in Christ
for the Greater Glory of God
for the Greater Glory of God
A Safe Environment for Children
As a community of faith, Holy Family believes that our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us and that the prevention of child abuse begins with each person. Holy Family Parish in coordination with the Archdiocese of Boston, is committed to the protection and safety of all children. This commitment follows the fundamental mission of the Church to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to give authentic witness to the moral teaching of the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, and to uphold the human dignity of every person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.
Plan to Protect God's Children
The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Team at Holy Family Parish has completed training in a program called Protecting God's Children, a program selected by the Archdiocese of Boston for educating parish adults on ways to prevent child abuse and create safe environments for children. The program consisted of classroom presentations, and printed and video-taped materials that focused on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Among other things, the team was educated in ways to recognize the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited in some way, environmental factors to be aware of in the physical space of the Parish, how abusers operate, things parents can do to help educate their children about how to respond to inappropriate adult behavior toward them, the responsibilities and procedures to follow when making a report of suspected child abuse, and other areas germane to child safety.
The prevention and awareness training at the Parish level for adults, called Protecting God's Children, and administered by the Archdiocese Catholic Risk Retention Group under an umbrella called VIRTUS , consists of classroom presentations, printed materials and videotapes that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children.
The program is required and designed particularly for those adults including volunteers who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues is included, as is training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the Archdiocese of Boston's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse.
Talking About Touching
The Talking About Touching curriculum has been put together by the Committee for Children in Seattle and focuses on teaching children (Grades K-3) basic skills that will help keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations, while supporting parents, educators and community members in responding effectively to suspected abuse. This curriculum is in use nationally and is also provided to schools within the Massachusetts public school system through the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, a highly respected, longstanding organization that leads statewide efforts to support parents and strengthen families thereby preventing child abuse.
Keeping Children Safe
The safety program for Grades 4-5 begins with a general discussion of safety rules for being alone and discussing the application of these rules to hypothetical situations, leading to a review of the 3 D's: if something is Dangerous, Destructive, or Disturbing, tell an adult. This initial discussion is further developed by exploring trickier situations, a review of the touching rules and application to new situations.
The safety program for Grades 6-8 further develops the safety rules and applications for going places alone and/or with friends, and goes on to include a discussion on online safety, qualities of good friendships and relationships and dealing with bullying and harassment.
As a community of faith, Holy Family believes that our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us and that the prevention of child abuse begins with each person. Holy Family Parish in coordination with the Archdiocese of Boston, is committed to the protection and safety of all children. This commitment follows the fundamental mission of the Church to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to give authentic witness to the moral teaching of the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, and to uphold the human dignity of every person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.
Plan to Protect God's Children
The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Team at Holy Family Parish has completed training in a program called Protecting God's Children, a program selected by the Archdiocese of Boston for educating parish adults on ways to prevent child abuse and create safe environments for children. The program consisted of classroom presentations, and printed and video-taped materials that focused on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Among other things, the team was educated in ways to recognize the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited in some way, environmental factors to be aware of in the physical space of the Parish, how abusers operate, things parents can do to help educate their children about how to respond to inappropriate adult behavior toward them, the responsibilities and procedures to follow when making a report of suspected child abuse, and other areas germane to child safety.
CAP Team Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Team include: - Ensures that all Parish staff and volunteers are fully trained in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God's Children program (VIRTUS).
- Acts as a resource to the Parish on issues of child abuse and neglect.
- Responsible for training all new staff and volunteers in the Parish.
- Hosts a parishioner information night to explain its role and function.
- Becomes a resource for feedback from the community on the effectiveness of the Parish programs.
- Provides consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse/neglect.
- Supported in its efforts by, and works in collaboration with, the Child Advocacy Office of the Archdiocese
The prevention and awareness training at the Parish level for adults, called Protecting God's Children, and administered by the Archdiocese Catholic Risk Retention Group under an umbrella called VIRTUS , consists of classroom presentations, printed materials and videotapes that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children.
The program is required and designed particularly for those adults including volunteers who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues is included, as is training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the Archdiocese of Boston's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse.
Children and Youth Safety Programs
The Parish Children and Youth Safety Program includes two age-appropriate programs within Religious Ed: Talking About Touching (Grades K-3) and Keeping Children Safe (Grades 4-8): Talking About Touching
The Talking About Touching curriculum has been put together by the Committee for Children in Seattle and focuses on teaching children (Grades K-3) basic skills that will help keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations, while supporting parents, educators and community members in responding effectively to suspected abuse. This curriculum is in use nationally and is also provided to schools within the Massachusetts public school system through the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, a highly respected, longstanding organization that leads statewide efforts to support parents and strengthen families thereby preventing child abuse.
Keeping Children Safe
The safety program for Grades 4-5 begins with a general discussion of safety rules for being alone and discussing the application of these rules to hypothetical situations, leading to a review of the 3 D's: if something is Dangerous, Destructive, or Disturbing, tell an adult. This initial discussion is further developed by exploring trickier situations, a review of the touching rules and application to new situations.
The safety program for Grades 6-8 further develops the safety rules and applications for going places alone and/or with friends, and goes on to include a discussion on online safety, qualities of good friendships and relationships and dealing with bullying and harassment.
Critical Contact Telephone Numbers
FOR SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE
OR NEGLECT, CONTACT:
Massachusetts
Dept. of Child & Family Services
DCF Haverhill
(978) 469-8800
(M - F: 8 am -5 pm)
Child at Risk Hotline
(800) 792-5200
(24 Hours Everyday)
--------------------------
Archdiocese of Boston
Office of Child Advocacy
Director of Child Advocacy
(617) 746-5996
Office for Pastoral Support
and Child Protection
Director OPSCP
(617) 746-5995
Office for Pastoral Support
and Outreach
Director OPSO
(866) 244-9603
FOR SUSPICION OF CHILD ABUSE
OR NEGLECT, CONTACT:
Massachusetts
Dept. of Child & Family Services
DCF Haverhill
(978) 469-8800
(M - F: 8 am -5 pm)
Child at Risk Hotline
(800) 792-5200
(24 Hours Everyday)
--------------------------
Archdiocese of Boston
Office of Child Advocacy
Director of Child Advocacy
(617) 746-5996
Office for Pastoral Support
and Child Protection
Director OPSCP
(617) 746-5995
Office for Pastoral Support
and Outreach
Director OPSO
(866) 244-9603
