Child and Youth Protection

Everything we do as a Church must reflect our commitment to respect life in all situations by providing a secure sacred space that safeguards and promotes human dignity, by fostering the development of each individual, and by creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all who come to us seeking an experience of the Holy presence of God.

The Safe Environment Program of the Diocese of Raleigh and at the community of St Thomas More strives to empower parishes, schools, families, and individuals to create and foster safe and healthy environments for children and youth in all aspects of their lives.

Requirements for Adult Volunteers and Employees

All employees and adult (18 and older) volunteers, catechists and users of our spaces who work with youth and children are required to attend in person a Safe Environment Training workshop approved by the Diocese of Raleigh AND undergo a criminal background check AND personnel reference checks before beginning to volunteer/work with youth and children. The training is designed to recognize Child Abuse and Neglect AND the proper protocols if you believe abuse or misconduct to have occurred. Background checks are valid for five years; however, Safe Environment training and certification must be renewed every year.

Safe Environment Training workshops will be offered periodically in English and Spanish at St. Thomas More. Upcoming workhops are posted below on the registration section. 

All parents who have children registered in programs held at St Thomas More will sign a 'Personal Information Sheet' provided by the director of the program declaring that they have never been accused or convicted of child abuse. Anyone who refuses to do so, will not be permitted to be on the premises when children are present.
 

Please contact your ministry lead for this application.

If you cannot attend the Safe Environment Workshops at St. Thomas More, please see Diocesan Calendar for Safe Environment Workshops at other parishes or attend a Diocese webinar. Return your certificate of attendance and Diocese of Raleigh Volunteer application to Celeen Lawrence at St Thomas More parish office for processing.

From the Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection

To All Level C personnel in the Diocese of Raleigh:

On July 15th 2024, the safe environment training renewal and criminal background screening system will be updated. Everyone (clergy, volunteers, and staff) who entered our database in 2023 or earlier, will be asked to verify the data we have in our system and to begin the process of annual safe environment training renewal. All clergy, religious, seminarians, staff and volunteers (in ministry with children and teens) are LEVEL C PERSONNEL!

You will receive an email from:

Tech support ([email protected]) You will be asked to verify your profile data and renew your safe environment training via the new online system.

If you have not updated your email address with your local parish/school or agency, or if you do not get the July email, please send your name and correct email to [email protected]

Thank you for being active in ministry!

St. Thomas More Parish abides by the Diocese of Raleigh's full Child and Youth Protection policies. The links below contain additional information:

• Vatican Web Site - Abuse of Minors: The Church's Response 
• Diocese of Raleigh Child and Youth Protection 
• USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
• Ten Points for Protecting Children - from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• FAQs on Child and Youth Protection
• Positive Childhood Alliance (North Carolina)
• Diocese of Raleigh Code of Conduct
• Diocese of Raleigh Código de Conducta
• Diocese of Raleigh Promise to Protect
• Diocese of Raleigh Promesa de Proteger
• Positive Communication (English and Spanish)