This summer the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops will begin its 2007 Safe Environment Parish Audit throughout the country.

Each parish/school site will have to demonstrate that they have implemented the list of requirements necessary in order to be in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The Charter, which was approved by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in June 2002, and revised in June 2005, is the guiding vision to help the faithful create a safe environment for children and young people, and to protect young people from child sexual abuse.

Another Charter goal is for parents to feel confident that their children may participate safely in parish and school activities. This includes any interaction with priests, religious, parents and all other adults associated with parishes. The approach for implementing the Charter is based on taking decisive, consistent action in an open, transparent manner.

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles these policies and procedures will help to ensure the safety of children and youth in 288 parishes, 225 Catholic elementary schools, and 50 Catholic high schools. This includes 95,400 students in Catholic schools and 379,500 students in parish-based religious education.

"If you are responsible for one child not being abused, then all your efforts have been worth it," Sister of Charity Mary Elizabeth Galt, chancellor, recently told parish leaders.

The Office of Safeguard the Children has facilitated a series of workshops to assist churches striving to implement all the required child safety programs. Parishes and schools have until June 15 to comply with the Charter and to complete their audit report.

"It's a team effort. We will help you to get where you need to be," Joan Vienna, director, told parish leaders.

"All of us together are going to keep our children safe," added Society of the Holy Child of Jesus Sister Sheila McNiff, director of the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry. "Any question you have is never too small. You're always welcomed to call."

The following are the list of required steps as mandated by the Charter.

-- USCCB Safe Environment Audit Report: Each pastor or parish life director is required to fill out a USCCB 2007 Parish Audit Compliance Report for their parish and/or school site, which contains 10 audit compliance questions. The completed report is to be signed and verified by the pastor or the parish life director and returned by June 15 to Msgr. Royale Vadakin, moderator of the Curia and archdiocesan USCCB audit chair.

-- Safeguard the Children Parish Committee: Each parish must have a Safeguard the Children Parish Committee. The committee needs to comprise of representatives from both the parish and school, including parents, who work together to provide a safe environment for children.

-- Publicizing the existence of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People: Each parish/school site must advertise the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People at their site. This can be done through the use of bulletin announcements, prayer cards, newsletters and homilies. The Tidings (April 13) and Vida Nueva (April issue) have published a special insert in English and Spanish. The insert has been delivered in bulk to all parishes and can be distributed at parish/school sties to all parents, volunteers, staff and others. The insert text is available at www.the-tidings.com, and bulletin announcements can be found at http://www.archdiocese.la/protecting/bulletin.html

-- Helping victims find outreach resources: Each parish/school must have the information available to help victims of sexual abuse find resources and counseling through the archdiocesan Office of Victims Assistance Ministry, (213) 637-7650.

-- Reporting child and youth sexual abuse: Each parish and school must ensure that all staff and volunteers understand the State of California law and archdiocesan policies and procedures on how to report child sexual abuse. They must also have a current copy of all necessary hotline and critical phone numbers as well as current reporting forms on file at the parish/school/religious education office. The April Tidings and Vida Nueva inserts include this information on how to report abuse.

-- Policies and procedures: All adults and youth working with or volunteering in any capacity with or around children at parishes or schools must sign a code of conduct. All adults must read and sign "Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or School Activities or Events." A copy of each person's signature must be on file at the parish or school.

All youth volunteers, both junior high and high school students, including students already 18, who work or volunteer with children/youth in a school or parish setting must read and sign the archdiocesan "Boundary Guidelines for Junior High and High School Volunteers Working with Children or Youth." They also must receive training on these boundary guidelines before undertaking their ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

-- Safe Environment Training of Adults: All parish and school volunteers, teachers, staff or other paid personnel who work in any capacity with or around children are required to participate in the VIRTUS® program or an equivalent safe environment training program approved by the archdiocese.

-- Safe Environment Training for Children: Each school and religious education program must establish an ongoing safe environment training program for the children at their site. Home-based materials must be provided to all parents to help them understand and support their children's education regarding preventing child sexual abuse. The approved programs include Good Touch/Bad Touch® and the VIRTUS® Teaching Touching Safety program.

-- Fingerprinting and Background Checks: Fingerprinting is a key component of the archdiocesan background checking procedures for clergy, religious, paid personnel and volunteers who have regular contact with minors. Fingerprinting is administered through the archdiocesan Office of Human Resources.

This series of feature stories, commentary and analysis is compiled and edited by an advisory group to the Media Relations Office of the Archdiocese, through which the articles are distributed. Previous articles can be found at www.the-tidings.com.