Feb 2024 Safe Environment Practices For Children
In addition to our council’s commitment to comply with the national Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program (SEP) for Children (www.kofc.org/en/resources/safe-environment-program/SEP-fraternal-planner-2022-2023.pdf), the Holy Ghost Council #4977 (HGC4977) agrees to comply with the requirements of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Safe Environment Compliance Guidelines as administered by our parishes St. Theresa and St. Thomas of Villanova. The Archdiocese of Chicago has issued a “Safe Environment Compliance Guidelines Chart”, dated July 2023 for the period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. (https://protect.archchicago.org/compliance-resources)
Row 6 of the archdiocese’s chart (entitled “School volunteers and all parish volunteers who serve with children and/or youth”) denotes the applicable requirements which would potentially apply to our parish HGC4977 activities and events. However, a review of our council activities and events with the parish staff of St. Theresa and St. Thomas of Villanova have found that all current parish HGC4977 activities and events where children are present are accompanied with their parents, guardians, or chaperones during the event. As a result, our parishes have determined that “Row 6” of the archdiocese’s chart is not applicable to our HGC4977 activities and events. Technically, the child’s parent, guardian, or chaperone is responsible for a safe environment of the child at all parish council activities and events. Our parish’s staff have determined that HGC4977 Knights are bound to be watchful for a safe environment for all children, but it is not the responsibility of HGC4977 Knights to supervise them. To clarify, our parish’s staff have determined that our HGC4977 activities and events are different than Religious Education, where the practice is that the child is left alone with the catechist. In this case, the catechist MUST be in full compliance with “Row 6” requirements.
In an abundance of caution, the parishes have advised that we would be in compliance with archdiocese guidelines by having one (1) Knight who would supervise each of the HGC4977 parish activities or events and who is compliance with “row 6” requirements. Both parishes suggest, and the Grand Knight agrees, to be the responsible individual for this compliance. The Grand Knight also agrees to complete “row 6” Safe Environment training and other requirements. The Grand Knight further agrees to personally attend, or assign another responsible Knight, all parish HGC4977 activities and events where children are present.
Holy Ghost Council #4977 will continue to coordinate with the parish staff of St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Theresa to ensure that HGC4977 continues to maintain compliance, as these requirements may change from time to time.
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