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Highlights of the Diocese of Manchester

Safe Environment Program

• Posters.  All parishes and diocesan Catholic schools in the Diocese display a poster on how to report abuse.  During site visits, the diocesan Compliance Officer and her staff ensure that each parish and school display a poster and if not, they are provided with one.
• Reporting Cards.  The Diocese of Manchester developed wallet-sized cards that state how to report abuse to the civil authorities and to the Office for Healing and Pastoral Care.  These cards are inserted in the posters in every parish and school and are distributed at all Protecting God’s Children training sessions to those adults who regularly work with minors.
• Parish Bulletins.  At least four times per year, parishes publish in their parish bulletins the procedures for reporting sexual abuse of a minor.  Some parish bulletin providers include this information in every parish bulletin.  The Compliance Officer and her staff ensure that this information is included in the parish bulletins when they conduct their site visits.
• Web site.   The Diocese of Manchester Web site prominently posts how to report sexual abuse.
• Training of Church Personnel.   All church personnel who regularly work with minors are required to undergo training in sexual abuse awareness and reporting.  In addition to the initial Protecting God’s Children training awareness session, church personnel also receive training through written refresher training bulletins which describe how to report abuse.
• Programs for Children.   The Diocese of Manchester requires that parishes and schools provide training for children and youth in religious education programs and in the diocesan Catholic schools.  These programs, including Circles of Care and Netsmartz, encourage children to report abuse and tell them how.  In addition, the Diocese of Manchester developed and distributed a coloring book for children, which also encourages reporting of abuse.
• Resources for Parents.   The Diocese of Manchester has developed a number of resources for parents, all of which encourage parents to report suspected abuse.  These resources include a Safe and Sound All Around parent guide, Talking to Your Children About Abuse pamphlet, and an internet safety guide, all of which are available on our website and are distributed in parishes and schools.

• Training of Church Personnel.  As discussed above, the Diocese of Manchester requires that all church personnel who regularly work with minors undergo sexual abuse awareness training.  In addition, parishes and schools are required to provide training to children.
• Screening of Church Personnel.   The Diocese of Manchester requires that all church personnel who regularly work with minors undergo background screening.
• Safe Environment Coordinators.   All parishes and schools are required to appoint safe environment coordinators to assist the pastors or principals to ensure that safe environment requirements are met.  The Compliance Officer and her staff are in regular communication with the Safe Environment Coordinators, pastors, and principals, and on an annual basis, hold a meeting of all Safe Environment Coordinators and others involved in child safety.
• Safe Environment Database.  The Diocese of Manchester has established a safe environment database to track compliance with the screening and training requirements of all church personnel who regularly work with minors.  Access to this database is limited to pastors, principals, safe environment coordinators, and the diocesan safe environment office staff.
• Compliance Reports.  The Diocese of Manchester requires that parishes and schools regularly update the safe environment database and on an annual basis, complete certain compliance reports to demonstrate that the parishes and schools have complied with all safe environment requirements.
• Compliance Visits.   The Compliance Officer and her staff conduct visits to every parish and school at least once every three years.  On those site visits, the Compliance Officer and her staff conduct reviews to ensure that all safe environment requirements are fulfilled.  During those visits, the Compliance Officer and her staff interview the pastor or principal, safe environment coordinator, and others involved in child safety at the parish.

• Monthly Reports by Compliance Officer.   Mary Ellen D’Intino provides the Diocesan Review Board and Bishop McCormack with monthly reports about her compliance work with parishes and schools.  In addition, she provides an annual report to Bishop McCormack and to the Diocesan Review Board.
• Regular Meetings.   Bishop McCormack meets regularly with the Delegates for Ministerial Conduct and the Compliance Officer to discuss the safe environment efforts of the Diocese.  In addition, Bishop McCormack meets with the Diocese Review Board on annual basis. 
• Diocesan Review Board Audit.   In accordance with the Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal policy, the Diocesan Review Board conducts a regular audit of the Office for Ministerial Conduct to ensure compliance with diocesan policy (which includes all requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People).
• USCCB Audit.  The USCCB conducts an annual audit of the Diocese of Manchester to ensure compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.