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Protect God's Children

Link to the following site to view and register for Protect God's Children.

 As Mandated by the Diocese of Paterson:

A Safe Environment for Catholic Programs - Standards Expected of Our Children and Youth

 

In addition to our policies on the behavior of adults and those who aid in programs, we must also maintain a safe environment program among the children and teens themselves in our programs. The following behavior code will support that safe environment for our religious education program. All adults will work to uphold these standards among our young people.

1. Use of the Internet, computer and video materials must fall strictly within the guidelines of the religious education program.

2. Hand-held electronic devices, including, but not limited to cell phones, palm pilots, MP3 payers, portable compact disc players, tape recorders, etc., should not be used during any part of the religious education program.

3. There will be zero tolerance for disrespectful, violent, or abusive behavior of any type. Bullying, in particular, will not be tolerated.

4. There will be zero tolerance of harassment of any kind, including, but not limited to, verbal harassment, gender bias, threats, sexual harassment, and foul language.

5. There will be zero tolerance for substance abuse of any kind, including, but not limited to drugs, inhalants, alcohol, and tobacco.

6. No object which may be construed as a weapon or use of said object as a weapon will be tolerated on-site at parish programs.

The consequences for the forgoing behavior will be immediate. Parents will be called to remove the child. At the discretion of the Director of Religious Education or the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, the appropriate authorities and the Division of Youth and Family Services will be notified.

The Director of Religious Education or the Coordinator of Youth Ministry will assess the incident. The Director/Coordinator may then decide that the child will not be re-admitted to the program until that child has been evaluated by an appropriate health care professional and a letter is provided to the Director/Coordinator stating that the child is not a danger to him/herself or others.

If any person suspects child abuse or neglect, they are bound by law in the State of New Jersey, to report it immediately to the Division of Youth and Family Services. All diocesan employees and volunteers at the parish level are also required to report incidents of child abuse and neglect to the appropriate prosecutor immediately.

For more information you may visit the Diocese of Paterson Protecting God's Children Information Page.  For more information about available training for the Protecting God's Children program visit Virtus Online.