Office of Child & Youth Protection

The Office of Child and Youth Protection is responsible for assisting the Bishop in the Diocese’s efforts to combat and prevent child sexual abuse.

Under the direction of Thom Meschinelli, Director for Safe Environment, the Office of Child and Youth Protection is responsible for:

• Coordinating the implementation of the Diocese’s Safe Environment Training Programs including;
  
  
  • Protecting God’s Children – a program designed to educate adults on how to recognize the warning signs that might indicate that a child is being abused. This program also addresses how sexual predators behave and describes, in detail, how predators groom children prior to the actual attempt to abuse.
  • Child Lures Prevention – a program designed to educate both parents and children on the different ways that sexual predators behave and how children can best protect themselves from being abused.

• Performing Criminal Background checks, Department of Human Services Background checks and Motor Vehicle checks on all Clergy, Employees and Volunteers who work with children on a regular basis.

Click here for the latest schedule of Protecting God’s Children sessions

For information about Child Lures Prevention contact you local Parish Office or Catholic School Principal.

Safe Environment Forms

Note: You may print and fill out these documents, however, they MUST be submitted through your parish or school and NOT directly to Chancery.

Code of Ethics - Return bottom portion only!

Extraordinary Minister Request Form

Parents Opt-Out Form- Child Lures Prevention Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention & Safety Program - Parents “Opt-Out” Form

Think First Stay Safe Reporting Form for Parishes

Think First Stay Safe School Reporting Form

Department of Human Services Release Forms (DHS Forms) - Page One / Page Two. - BOTH PAGES MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH YOUR PARISH/SCHOOL AND NOT DIRECTLY TO CHANCERY

Background Check Authorization Form- MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH YOUR PARISH/SCHOOL AND NOT DIRECTLY TO CHANCERY

Employee Application - MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH YOUR PARISH/SCHOOL AND NOT DIRECTLY TO CHANCERY

Volunteer Application - MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH YOUR PARISH/SCHOOL AND NOT DIRECTLY TO CHANCERY