Safeguard the Children

Safeguard the Children
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A PRAYER FOR HEALING -
Victims of abuse
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only son to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to our own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people's wounds and
transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

VIRTUS RECERTIFICATION

Virtus training Dates-
August 23, 6:30pm
Eddie Melendrez
Finger printing:

Minutes of the St. Luke Safeguard Committee Meeting January 30, 2013 at 7:00 am
In the Msgr. Birch Hall
In attendance: Eddie Melendrez Ben Garcia Barbara Hansen
Joseph Perez Sherri Keelin Jim Keelin
Jeana Chavez
The meeting was opened with a prayer prepared and led by Ben Garcia & Eddie Melendrez. The meeting began at 7:08 pm
Committee Reports/ Old business:
 Volunteers needed to assist at the following events – Ben and Eddie, presented sign up sheets for volunteers for time frames for May 4th Fingerprinting check in, with 3 time slots beginning at 9:30 am and one person each time slot. Virtus class February 5, at 6:30-9:30pm for check in and assisting to turn away people who are 15 minutes late as per the requirements of the Archdiocese. Volunteer would need to arrive no later than 6:15 pm to assist with check in. Also for assistance at closing of the evening. One volunteer needed. –Barbara took both forms after meeting.
 Emergency Bin – Barbara reported the Bin has been updated, and keys have been issued to key people who are in charge of Youth and school. Thank you to a Boy Scout who took it on as his Eagle Scout project. 
Visitors Check in- Eddie as of last meeting all people coming on campus during school hours are now checking in the Parish Administration office and the School. Signs are up for visitors to come to the Parish Administration office or the School to check in.
 Barricades- Eddie and Ben as of last meeting barricades are guarding the staff parking and school parents no longer come into the Staff parking or block the drive ways.
New Business/Comment/Recommendations
 Visitors Check In-It has been noticed that people are still propping gates open during school events, to let others in and leave the gate unattended. Bunco, Bingo. Particularly on Mondays.
-It has been noticed that ICF does have some ladies at the gate with sign in forms.
-Suggestion to talk to Joan Sutton-Robledo about some of the ladies propping gate open.
 Funerals & Hall Rentals during School hours:
A school parent brought to the attention of the committee that there have been 2 occasions when Adults from funerals/Hall reception have been found in the restroom in the Lower building during school hours.
It was also reported smoking has taken place at these events during school hours in between the breeze way and play ground, and between Upper building/Parish Administration building and fountain area.
Action taken for Reception Out door monitoring-A parent is contacted to assist with policing the grounds during receptions. Two parents are on the list to be called only when the hall is in use for receptions, currently being contacted by the school.
Salvador Martinez & Oneida Harapecian
Suggestion to be discussed with Fr. Mark & Mrs. Berisano-
More parent involvement needed to assist with covering for these occasions. Once a reception is booked committee of school parents is called, to avoid day off or day before calls. Others suggested an Aide; monitor the school hallways during these events to ensure safety.
Suggestions:
 Gate monitor with sign in sheets, at both doors.
 Sherri, suggested that a list of guidelines and expectations for rentals during these occasions.
 Eddie, suggested a contract be drafted to go with the rental agreement.
 Maybe seek options or other avenues.
 Teachers need to be aware of who is on the grounds and report anything immediately.
Note: It is understood the family is grieving, and also the safety of all on the grounds is important.
 Virtus Class Instructors- Sherrie suggested that all giving the class need to be pleasant and not rude. People coming to the class one are volunteers and doing it from the kindness of their heart, and reminded that people attending the class are not only from our Parish. Volunteers need to be treated with respect, as our Parish is known for not being friendly and we need to get rid of that image.
Plan of action- All giving the class on the grounds will be reminded.
Reported Broken
 Hall Door- Exterior Door by the restrooms is broken and needs to be repaired.
Awareness
 Vandalism at other Churches- We need to be aware that two local churches Holy Angels and The Good Shepherd were broken into and vandalized. Please be vigilant of surroundings. Report any strange activity immediately.
Reminder of Next meeting: St. Luke Safeguard Committee Meeting May 30, 2013 at 7 pm.
Meeting Dismissed: 8:10 pm

DID YOU KNOW?

Teach Children to Protect Themselves at Home Alone. We consider
our homes to be safe places. But being home alone can pose risks for a pre-teen or teenager. Here are a few tips to teach them that will help keep them safe when you are not with them at home: 1) Never answer the door if alone; 2) Do not invite anyone in the house, even a friend without the permission of a parent or babysitter; 3) Don’t tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can’t come to the phone and take a message; 4) Use extreme caution when on the internet. Do not give out personal information or reveal the fact that you are alone. 5) Keep emergency numbers in a visible location.

The first obligation of the Church with regard to victims is for healing and reconciliation. The Archdiocese continues to reach out to every person who has been a victim of sexual abuse as a minor by anyone in church service, whether that abuse is recent or occurred in the past. The Archdiocese’s Victims Assistance Ministry helps victims/survivors who have been victims of sexual abuse by priests, deacons, or individuals
representing the Catholic
Church. The Victim Assistance Coordinator, Suzanne Healy, is available to help victims/survivors make a formal complaint of abuse to the archdiocese, and to obtain support for the needs of the individual and families. Ms. Healy can be reached by
calling (213) 637-7650.

Minutes of the St. Luke Safeguard Committee Meeting

May 29, 2013 at 7:00 pm

In Room 404

In attendance: Eddie Melendrez, Ben Garcia, Barbara Hansen, Cyl Rudar, Maria Garcia, Rich Martinez

Sherri Keelin, Carmen Gee, Maureen Bustamante, Ivonne Melendrez, Sarah Abraham, Jeana Chavez.

The meeting was opened with a prayer prepared and led by Ben Garcia. The meeting began at 7:05 pm
Committee Reports/ Old business:

 Hand out- Ben passed out "Summer Safety Tips can help prevent Sexual Abuse" from the Virtus online

-He reminded us of children playing outside

-The importance of children knowing who safe adults are

-Children hurting other children

-Adult interaction with children

 Fingerprinting-May 4th, it seems some people are being called back to re-take fingerprints, there was a problem with the machines.

-Question about fingerprints: If I work for a Government agency, Unified School District etc. Why can’t you request them? The DOJ does not allow for us to share or retrieve your information each other’s information. Each entity holds its own ID number and is given your information based on that ID number.

-Any information that is returned as a red flag, is reported to the pastor only and he passes on only needed information

 Virtus online: For those that cannot access their bulletins online from Virtus- please let us know or simply have not registered online and need a little help.

-Please make sure you have registered online after you attended your Virtus class

 Virtus facilitators needed- please contact Barbara if interested

 Fingerprinting- Live Scan as per Ben he was informed that people are needed to assist with this in the Archdiocese.

 Questions of why not all ministries are represented?

-Information is posted on Church website, bulletin and a mass email with a reminder was sent out.

Reminder: That safeguard is not only for the Children we protect, but to protect our volunteers and our Elderly. Also to bring awareness to all.

 Ratio of Volunteers vs. teens

This is determined depending on the event. Some only require 1 adult per 10.

 Drivers carrying teens must be over the age of 25 and show proper insurance and DL#

　

 Edler Abuse-Ben informed that a County Speaker is willing to come and speak to Elders and anyone interested.

 Barbara also informed that Tracy Webb will be returning to give a Cyber bully awareness
New Business/Comment/Recommendations

Suggestions:

 Next Virtus Class- August 23rd @ 6:30 pm with Eddie Melendrez

 RE-certification class- will be announced as Jackie Di Peppe and Sue McConnell give us available dates.

 Fingerprinting- Barbara shared that we are applying for another date to be on our campus.
Reported Broken

Hall Door- 2nd reminder Exterior Door by the restrooms is broken and needs to be repaired.

If door is pushed and pulled it can be forced open from the outside.

 Room 402 Jorge Rudar said the East door close to the Youth room is not closing correctly

 Youth room East door, is also having problems shutting.
Awareness

Children can assault other children- Ben reminded us of the case in on February 2013 California Preschool, Rocked by Sex Scandal, Is Closing Its Doors. A 5 year old girl performing oral sex on 4 year old boys at

First Lutheran Church of Carson School