St. Augustine Parish

Objective:  The purpose of the team is to create a community of support within each parish or cluster for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Team at Saint Augustine Parish has completed training in a program called "Protecting God's Children" - a program selected by the Archdiocese of Boston for educating parish adults on ways to prevent child abuse and create safe environments for children. The program consisted of classroom presentations, and printed and video-taped materials that focused on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Among other things, we were educated in ways to recognize the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited in some way, environmental factors to be aware of in the physical space of the parish, how abusers operate, things parents can do to help educate their children about how to respond to inappropriate adult behavior toward them, and many other areas. We also received a presentation from the Department of Children & Families and the District Attorney's Association on the responsibilities and procedures to follow when making a report of suspected child abuse.

Our responsibility as a CAP team is to train the staff, employees and volunteers in our parish, and to advocate for and be an ongoing resource to the parish community in child protection issues.

Members of the St. Augustine CAP Team

Duties and Responsibilities of the CAP Team

Parish CAP Programs

Critical Contacts

Resource Links

CAP Team Members

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures that all parish staff and volunteers are fully trained in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God’s Children program (VIRTUS).

• Acts as a resource to the parish on issues of child abuse and neglect.

• Responsible for training all new staff and volunteers in the parish.

• Hosts a parishioner information night to explain its role and function.

• Becomes a resource for feedback from the community on the effectiveness of the parish programs.

• Provides consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse/neglect.

• Will be supported in its efforts by, and works in collaboration with, the Child Advocacy Office of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Parish CAP Programs

Requirements for Church and School Volunteers and Staff

In order to assure the safety of our children, Saint Augustine Parish is dedicated to ensure that all clergy, educators, volunteers, parish and school staff are properly screened by evaluating each individual’s CORI (criminal offender record information). One CORI must be completed by each staff member and volunteer each year.  All are also required to complete an acknowledgement of the "Code of Ministerial Behavior" which must be on file with the Parish for each person active in Parish ministry.  And finally, each person must have attended the prevention and awareness training "Protecting God's Children" and evidence must be on file with Parish.  Failure to meet these requirements puts our children and our parish at risk, so these requirements are proactively enforced.

Protecting God’s Children (PGC) for Adults

The prevention and awareness training at the parish level for adults - called "Protecting God's Children", and administered by the Catholic Risk Retention Group under an umbrella called VIRTUS - consists of classroom presentations, printed materials and videotapes that will focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children.The program is designed particularly for those adults who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues will also be included, as will training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the Archdiocese of Boston's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse. An on-line component called "VIRTUS On-Line" will provide continued training through monthly bulletins and annual recertification.

Resource material for PGC training

New mandated reporter's Guide

Child Abuse and Neglect Brochure

Warning signs of child abuse and neglect

Department of children and families(Mass. Dept. of Health and Services)

Upcoming PGC training

Additonal information about VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" .

Touching Safety Program

The Archdiocese has launched several programs that focus on training children about personal safety and preventing abuse.

"Talking About Touching" (Grades Pre K - 3) was created by the Committee for Children in Seattle and focuses on teaching children basic skills that will help keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations, while supporting parents, educators and community members in responding effectively to suspected abuse. Click here for more information about this program.

"Keeping Children Safe" (Grades 4 - 8) is a program which combines "Kids and Company" from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Michigan Model for Comprehensive School Health Education.

The Archdiocese of Boston is currently working on refining two additional programs for children in Grades Pre K - 4.  Click here for more information.

Critical Contacts

For Suspicion of Child Abuse or Neglect

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston

Office of Child Advocacy
Deacon Anthony Rizzuto
617-746-5994
child_advocacy@rcab.org

Office of Healing and Assistance
Mrs. Barbara Thorp
781-794-2581
Barbara_Thorp@rcab.org

Resources

Click on Agencies Below

Archdiocese of Boston – Office of Child Advocacy, Oversight and Implementation

Massachusetts Department of Children & Families

The National Risk Retention Group, Inc. Virtus Online

Click here for the Code of Ministerial Behavior.