Leaders of our Schools!
The 2022 Safe Environment Policy updates and decree are completed and promulgated by Bishop Johnston. We feel these changes have enhanced the protection of the children in our diocese. Your role as a leader in our schools is very important as part of our collective efforts for the safety of children. I have attached a copy of the policy and included the link to The Office of Child and Youth Protection https://kcsjcatholic.org/office/child-youth-protection/ the landing page for many of your audit forms, policies, and Circle of Grace Curriculum. Additionally, Circle of Grace has a new website where you can download the curriculum and I will send a separate email with those details as well as helpful tips for a successful program!
In the next few weeks, I will have a Zoom Informational session for you. In this session, I will show you how your staff and volunteers access the new Mandated Reporter links and acknowledgment as well as demonstrate a new feature on VIRTUS that makes monitoring compliance easier!
After the tutorials, I will open it for questions. During this time you can stay and ask questions or leave the meeting. If you have specific questions related to schools please let me know. Below is a summary of some of the changes and FAQs I have developed to aid our community in understanding the changes. Thank you for all you do.
Policy enhancements
- The elimination of the 30/60 day grace period for Protecting God’s Children for both employees and volunteers.
- The additional requirement of the State of Missouri Mandated Reporter training for all employees and volunteers. Followed by an acknowledgment the user signs annually.
- Updated Minor’s forms signed by parents, with an attestation that the minor who is working with children is safe to do so.
- Five-Year renewal for all safe environment requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does the policy requiring being fully compliant before starting in ministry include employees and volunteers? – Yes it does, while the decree is specific to employees the policy promulgated by the Bishop is inclusive of both.
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Where do I direct employees and volunteers for the new Missouri Kids First Mandated Reporter Training? Everyone with a VIRTUS™ account will have the link on their home tab. Click the link and it will direct you to the webpage starting Monday, July 23rd.
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Who verifies the completion of the Mandated Reporter Training? – The SEC will verify the collection(by email) of the certificate. The employee/volunteer must send you the certificate. After completing the training they can sign the acknowledgment on VIRTUS™.
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What is the Mandated Reporter Acknowledgement? This is a document that the user will electronically sign (similar to the EIM process) the user acknowledges their responsibilities, training, and understanding of what a Mandated Reporter’s role is.
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The Missouri Mandated Reporter training is not available in Spanish, what do we do for our Spanish-speaking community? We will continue to use the VIRTUS™ Mandated Reporter in Spanish.
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What if we have an emergency hire and there is no Protecting God’s Children workshop before their start date? On the rare occasion, you will need to email me requesting the employee or volunteer be assigned an online module, however, the volunteer or employee must attend the next available in-person workshop.
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If a current volunteer does not have all their updates and requirements can they still volunteer? all volunteers must be 100% compliant within 30 days of the five-year expiration.
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What do we do when a current employee is not compliant after 30 days? The employee should be reported to the business manager for further action.
Peace,
Don Stubbings
Safe Environment Program Coordinator
Office of Child and Youth Protection
Phone: 816-714-2394
Fax: 816-817-7219
