It’s been three months since the Office of Child and Youth Protection rolled out new guidelines impacting 14,000 people who work and volunteer in the Diocese of Raleigh.
To date, about 54% of those impacted have updated their information and completed necessary training.
Dr. John Pendergrass, the director of the office, hopes to see momentum before the holidays and for the remaining 46% to complete necessary tasks, such as updating contact information and completing online training.
“This will ensure that we maintain our strong record of compliance with safe environment standards,” he said.
The process of archiving people who are not presently active takes place in November, Pendergrass said, adding that weekly emails are being sent to remind those who still need to comply with needed tasks.
“Having people enter their own data into the system, and updating it annually, helps parishes and schools enhance safe environments for children and young people,” he said.
The main change that was rolled out in July was the addition of a yearly 30-minute renewal course for all level C employees who previously completed initial, in-person safe environment training.
The annual renewal, Pendergrass said, can be done online in response to reminders that are emailed out to all personnel. This both increases dialogue about safe environment standards and maintains current data on all clergy, vowed religious, employees and volunteers.
“It has been encouraging to see the way in which people are embracing the new system and see the benefits of the annual renewal cycle,” said Deacon Ramon Ferrer, who supports parish leaders as the Safe Environment coordinator.
One benefit of the additional training is that it reminds those in ministry that they can access the latest versions of the Code of Conduct, the Policies and Procedures for the Program of Child and Youth Protection, and other resources in the safe environment team tools section.
There are also resources for those who are reporting suspected abuse.
“We want to be accessible to those keeping children safe and to help those who may have experienced harm,” Pendergrass noted.
If you have questions about your status in the database, or in you are no longer active in ministry and would like to close your file, please contact SET.support@raldioc.org.