Safe and Sacred
Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish is committed to the protection of its children. Before anyone can work with children (and ALL employees whether working with children or not) each person must go online to the Safe and Sacred site and complete all requirements. Checks are made periodically to ensure compliance. If you do not complete the requirements you will be asked to stop working with children at Our Lady of the Greenwood.
- For Parish Volunteers
- For Employees of the Archdiocese
- Who is Required To Sign Up?
- Indiana Legal Code Reporting Requirements
For Parish Volunteers:
In order to ensure compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the policies of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, you must complete the Safe and Sacred material on the Archdiocesan website.
IMPORTANT! You will be asked to create an id and password to get onto the site. Please remember both!
Link to Safe and Sacred website login page through the Archdiocese website.
This must be done before you start working with children in your volunteer work. This website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you do not have a computer, you must arrange for access. It takes only about an hour to complete.
This website includes:
- The Safe and Sacred instructional material and quiz to qualify for certificate.
- Application for a background check.
- Acknowledgement of the "Code of Conduct"
You MUST complete all three.
It is imperative that you complete these items BEFORE you start volunteering to work with children.
You will not be certified to work with children until your information appears in the Safe and Sacred database which our Volunteer Coordinator has access to.
Both the Safe and Sacred Certificate and the Background check are good for five years. If you are still working with children at that time, you must renew both.
For Employees of the Archdiocese:
In order to ensure compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the policies of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, you must complete the Safe and Sacred material on the Archdiocese website.
IMPORTANT! You will be asked to create an id and password to get onto the site. Please remember both!
Link to Safe and Sacred website login page through the Archdiocese website.
This must be done before the first day of work. This website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you do not have a computer, you must arrange for access. It takes only 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
This website includes:
- The Safe and Sacred instructional material and quiz to qualify for certificate.
- Application for a background check.
- Acknowledgement of the "Code of Conduct"
You MUST complete all three.
It is imperative that you complete these items BEFORE you start your employment. Paychecks will be withheld until compliance.
Both the Safe and Sacred Certificate and the Background check are good for five years. If you are still working with children at that time, you must renew both.
Who is Required to Sign Up for this Program?
Teachers, staff, and all volunteers who minister to or work with minor children must meet all the requirements of this program.
If you are 18 years of age or older and you volunteer with one of the following ministries here at Our Lady of Greenwood, you must comply with all the requirements:
This list is not all inclusive. Please note that if a ministry deals with children at all, Safe and Sacred applies to all adults.
- Servers
- Ushers
- Liturgy Tech
- RCIC
- School Commission
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
- School Volunteers
- Children’s Librugy of the Word
- Sunday Morning Religious Education (SMRE)
- Youth Ministry
- Athletic Board and Coaching
- Lenten Fish Fry
- Cub/Boy/Venture Scouts
- Girl Scouts (all ages)
- Any babysitting for any ministry
- Drivers for youth
- Cafeteria Workers
- Catechists
- Chaperones
- Crossing Guards
- Instructional Assistants
- Library Assistants
- Playground Monitors
- “Room” Mothers or Fathers
- Sacramental Prep
- Tutors
- Any Youth Retreat
This list is not all inclusive. Please note that if a ministry deals with children at all, the “Safe and Sacred” program applies to all adults.
INDIANA LEGAL CODE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
According to Indiana law, “an individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect shall make a report as required by this article”. In addition, “if an individual is required to make a report under this article in the individual’s capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency, the individual shall immediately notify the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility, or agency or the designated agent of the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility, or agency.” That person “shall report or cause a report to be made”.
However, “this.. does not relieve an individual of the obligation to report on the individual’s own behalf, unless a report has already been made to the best of the individual’s belief”.
“A person who has a duty under this chapter to report that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect shall immediately make an oral report to the department or the local law enforcement agency”.
Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis are committed to ensuring the safety of all children in its care. We continue to be concerned about all victims of sexual abuse. If you are a victim—or if you know of anyone who is a victim—of any type of sexual misconduct, we urge you to make a report using one of the following contact procedures listed below:
Contacting the “Victim Assistance Coordinator” either by phone or through email. You can find the current phone number, name of person to contact, and email address at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Misconduct Hotline.
Filing a report online. You will not be required to give your name. This information is also located at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Misconduct Hotline.
Child Protection Services operates a toll-free hotline (800/800-5556).
Calling the police or other local law enforcement agency.
The Julian Center Crisis Line (for victims of sexual and/or domestic violence) at 317/920-9320.
Important!
This Ministry Requires "Safe & Sacred"
Volunteers 18 years of age and older are required to complete the “Safe and Sacred” program.
