Child and Youth Protection
ADM 26.0
All school personnel comply with the Archdiocese’s Child and Youth Protection policies and procedures.
Purpose:
to create a culture that treats children with dignity and respect.
to provide a safe environment for the children and youth entrusted to the Archdiocese’s cares.
to screen Church personnel for their fitness to work with minors.
to educate clergy, employees, volunteers, and children on creating and maintaining safe environments for children, including preventing, recognizing and reporting child sexual abuse.
to comply with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities.
to reach out to those who have been abused by Church personnel.
Key Points:
Principal’s role as responsible administrator
The principal of a school is responsible for all of the Archdiocese’s child and youth protection policies, procedures, and decisions at his/her school. It is the responsibility of the principal to insure that all faculty and staff have a very strong knowledge and understanding of all of the child and youth protection policies.
Service Ineligibility of Anyone Credibly Accused of Child Abuse
Anyone credibly accused of child abuse will be excluded from ministry, employment, and volunteer service in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Therefore, registered sex offenders are not allowed to serve as employees and volunteers in any capacity in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Reporting of Allegations:
The Archdiocese of Baltimore complies with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to civil authorities. Under Maryland Law any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to civil authorities, even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased. Church personnel who receive a report, suspect or allege child abuse on the part of Church personnel including clergy, employees, or volunteers of/in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are required to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection immediately, in addition to reporting to civil authorities under state law.
Under Maryland law, all educators, health practitioners, and social workers report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect immediately and directly to the local Department of Social Services. Reports of abuse may also be made to the police. An oral report must be made as soon as possible, with a written report within 48 hours of the suspicion of abuse or neglect. The responsibility to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect is mandatory. Failure to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect may result in the revocation of an educator's certification. If a teacher or other staff member becomes aware of a possible case of abuse or neglect, the principal must be notified immediately.
https://www.archbalt.org/child-and-youth-protection/reporting-abuse/
Service Ineligibility of an Offender and/or Those Who Have Been Charged with a Related Offense
If it is learned that the child of a registered sex offender or someone who has been charged with a related offense attends an Archdiocesan school or parish, then school administration must contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP) immediately. The OCYP will notify the parent of his/her restrictions.
Restrictions are placed on the parent regarding their participation in school/parish activities. The parent may not attend any school events and the parent's access to a school is limited to times when children are not present.
A registered sex offender or someone charged with a related offense may participate in liturgical celebrations in the Archdiocese; however, his/her presence on Archdiocesan property other than attending a liturgical celebration will be considered trespassing.
Parents must be informed of the Archdiocese’s policy regarding parents who are registered sex offenders or charged with a related offense at the beginning of every school year.
Requirements for All Employees (must be completed before beginning employment)
Archdiocesan Employment Application completed and reviewed
Interview conducted to determine eligibility and suitability
Three (3) professional references provided, checked, and documented
References for employment with any previous archdiocesan parish, school, or institution checked and documented
CJIS/ Fingerprint Check application submitted for employees 18 years of age or older and CJIS results received; negative results must be reviewed with Archdiocese’s Division of Human Resources
VolunteerSelect Criminal History Screening form completed and submitted to VolunteerSelect
Employee receives and reviews A Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children & Youth
Employee receives and reviews the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Employee Acknowledgement of Receipt and Review for A
Employee receives training regarding child abuse and the protection of children; training verification form completed
http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/child-youth-protection/procedures/index.cfm
Requirements for All University Interns serving as part of a college program (must be completed before beginning internship)
In accordance with A Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth, interns shall be treated as non- archdiocesan educational providers.
Per Section 3.7.3 of A Statement of Policy, the college should provide documentation of the satisfactory completion of a criminal history screening.
The college provides this documentation to the Department of Catholic Schools and to the Compliance Coordinator in the Office of Child and Youth Protection. (verification letter)
Non-archdiocesan educational providers must complete child protection training. To complete this requirement, interns register in VIRTUS as independent contractors and by completing the online training. Virtus training instructions
Given the interns are not employees/volunteers, it is the responsibility of the college to review the criminal history screening results and secure references.
Requirements for All Volunteers (must be completed before beginning to volunteer)
Archdiocesan Application for Volunteer Service completed and reviewed
Volunteer receives and reviews the Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth
Volunteer receives and reviews the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/child-youth-protection/procedures/index.cfm
Requirements for Volunteers Who Have Substantial Contact with Children (must be completed before beginning to volunteer with children)
Archdiocesan Application for Volunteer Service completed and reviewed
Three (3) references provided, checked, and documented.
References for service and/or employment with any previous archdiocesan parish, school, or institution checked and documented
VolunteerSelect Criminal History Screening form completed and submitted to VolunteerSelect; negative results must be reviewed with Archdiocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection
Volunteer receives and reviews the Statement of Policy for the Protection of Children and Youth
Volunteer receives and reviews the Code of Conduct for Church Personnel of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Volunteer receives training regarding child abuse and the protection of children; training verification form completed
http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/child-youth-protection/procedures/index.cfm
Requirements for All Children:
Receive education regarding child abuse and safe environments through the Family Life Catechesis (k-8) or Created to Love (9-12)
https://www.archbalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Family-Life-Policy-2014-Second-Edition.pdf
References:
February 1, 2021