Each April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and bring extra focus and attention to the prevention and awareness of safe environments for our youth. But every day the Safe Environment office in the Diocese of Salina is committed to keeping children safe. Through on-site safety coordinators, parishes, schools, and diocesan programs can provide safe environments for children of all ages, where we value and honor every individual as created in the image and likeness of God.
The Diocesan Safe Environment Office ensures safety across the Diocese of Salina by providing education and resources to parishes and schools. Working with appointed Safety Coordinators at each location, they oversee compliance requirements to safeguard minors and vulnerable adults. These coordinators are well-versed in safety policies, reporting protocols, and recordkeeping standards, advocating for a secure environment and promoting the mission of the Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal initiative.
All clergy, employees, and volunteers working with minors undergo mandatory safe environment training, including background checks, to ensure community protection. As partners, we aim to involve as many individuals as possible in safeguarding children and preventing abuse. Together, we strive to create a vigilant network within our parishes and schools to protect the most vulnerable members of our community through training and heightened awareness during ministry.
We must safeguard everyone in our community, regardless of age or vulnerability, as we are all children of God. While the training primarily focuses on protecting children, its principles apply universally. The skills gained can also aid in protecting our own family members, including children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.
The efforts of the Safe Environment ministry are supported by your gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. If you would like to give a gift to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal to support ministries such as Safe Environment, visit join.salinadiocese.org, mail a check to PO Box 1696, Salina KS 67402, or scan the QR code.
