ONLINE CALLED TO PROTECT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Dear Parents of Students in Elementary and Middle School ONLY,

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every school year abuse prevention programming (titled Called to Protect) provides basic safety education to all K-6 religious education in our diocese. Due to the pandemic and the use of our remote learning, the Diocesan EIM Office has developed an easy-to-use virtual program enabling you to help educate your own children about this important topic. 

In this Year of the Domestic Church, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, families are encouraged to come together to strengthen your child’s, and your family’s, safety and abuse prevention skills using the at-home virtual CTP program.

This year our parish is doing the annual  Called to Protect for Children (CTPC) using the diocese’s at-home virtual program. The attached letter explains the importance of CTPC for our students and how it will work this year. 

PLEASE COMPLETE THE CTPC BY APRIL 30TH. Your student(s) will complete activity sheets which you will return to the parish upon completion of the program.

Families are encouraged to watch these programs with their children. Here are a few details about Called to Protect:
– It is available in English and Spanish.
–It takes about an hour to complete, depending on length of discussions.
– It is easy, simply go to the link provided (below) and click the yellow arrow to begin the audio recording.
– The program presents the information for the family to learn together.
– There is one program for all elementary children in the family to learn together, rather than by grade.
– There is one program for all middle/high school students in the family to complete together.

Parents - To view additional resources click  HERE  
Link to the Elementary School CTPY Course English  HERE  Spanish  HERE 
Link to the Middle School CTPY Course English  HERE  Spanish  HERE 
 

Overview

Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Training is required for all volunteers of the parish who come in contact with minors or vulnerable adults. In reality, this means most, if not all, volunteers. The more people who take the training course, the safer we will be as a parish. It also can be useful information that helps parents protect their own children, and workshops designed for children of specific ages can help children protect themselves.

How to Become EIM Compliant

To become EIM compliant, volunteers 18 years-of-age and older must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the EIM application (background check)
2. Sign up for a class
3. Attend a class every three years

To begin the process, complete the EIM application.

To learn more about EIM, visit the link below. 

How to Care for and Support Victims of Abuse

We are all called to protect. The Diocese of Austin is committed to providing confidential and compassionate care to victims of sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse was committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, please contact the Diocesan Coordinator of Victim Assistance and Pastoral Support at 512-949-2400.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse and have concerns regarding your attendance at an EIM Basic or Refresher workshop, please contact Emily Hurlimann at 512-949-2447 to discuss an alternative workshop arrangement.

"It is the responsibility of the Catholic Church to respond with compassion to the needs of those who have been abused."
-Most Reverend Joe S. Vasquez, Bishop of Austin

Reporting Abuse or a Notice of Concern

Reporting Requirements
Make a Report to Child Protective Services
Make a Report to Adult Protective Services
EIM Notice of Concern
Coordinator of Victim Assistance and Pastoral Support