Mission Statement
Safeguard the Children was established to create a safe environment for children and youth in the parish community.

About Safeguard the Children
Safeguard the Children is a comprehensive program designed to promote child safety and prevent child sexual abuse, which was initiated in all dioceses in the United States at the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There is a Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee in each parish which helps to implement the objectives of the USCCB “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” (2005).

Safeguard the Children Committee
Holy Family has an active STC Committee chaired by parishioner Lydia Banales, formerly a Public Health Nurse with the Department of Children and Family Services. Other members include the Director of Religious Education, the school principal, the Parish Administrator, the Director of Faith Formation, the Director of Youth Ministry and the Administrative Associate. The Director of the Sunday Preschool and two other parents complete the group. Meetings are held quarterly or more often as needed.

Goals

• All parish volunteers will have a heightened awareness of their role and responsibility regarding child safety.
• Our children will respect their bodies, trust their self-protective instincts and learn when and how to seek adult help.

Requirements for Volunteers and Participants in Youth Programs

• All Holy Family volunteers must read and agree to follow the “Archdiocese of Los Angeles Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or School Activities or Events.”
• All volunteers who work with or around children in any way are required to attend a “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session.
• Anyone who supervises or is perceived to supervise children in any way is required to submit to a background check in the form of fingerprinting by the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
• All Holy Family School and Religious Education students will take part in the ”Teaching Touching Safety” education program.

Volunteer Ministry Opportunities
The Safeguard the Children committee chair welcomes inquiries from parishioners with backgrounds in social services, law enforcement, education, child health or legal issues who are interested in joining the committee.

Links
Adult and Child Training

• To register for a “Protecting God’s Children” adult awareness training session
• “Why Am I Here and What Is My Role in Protecting Children?”  A handout for participants describing the background of the Protecting God's Children program and the prescribed role for adults in the faith community.
• Information on a broad variety of topics related to child abuse and child safety.

Policies and activities of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in “Protecting Our Children” and click on “Protecting Our Children”

• General Policies on Safe Environment Training
• Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or School Activities or Events
• Boundary Guidelines for Junior High and High School Youth Working or Volunteering with Children or Youth
• Responding to the Problem
• Training
• Resources

Contact
Lydia Banales
Safeguard the Children Committee Chair
(626) 799-6508
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