Protecting God's Children

Immaculate Conception is in full compliance with the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) policy with regards to protecting all of God's children.
The following are the Archdiocesan guidelines for all persons interacting with children involved in Immaculate Conception activities.

Requirements of the Safe Environment Program

Adults* who volunteer or work with or near minors must be compliant with the Safe Environment Program of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis set forth by the USCCB. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).

*(Adults included anyone who has turned 18 years old and who has graduated from High School or completed the equivalent education level).

TheSafe Environment Program requires that one must do the following:
 

1. attend a Protecting God's Children Workshop; agree to electronically update the training after a period of 5 years; and each 5 year period thereafter
2. agree to undergo a background screening; agree to update the screening every even numbered year (Missouri Family Care Safety Registry)
3. agree to undergo an additional background screening if you have resided out of stat in the past 5 years; or currently reside out of state (American Checked, Inc.; Fingerprints may be taken in some cases)
4. agree to and provide a hard copy or electronic signature to the Ethical Code of Conduct for Clergy, Employees and Volunteers working with Minors in the Archdiocese.

To register online for a Protecting God’s Children Workshop and electronically sign the  Ethical Code of Conduct please visit http://www.archstl.org/ and click on the Protecting God’s Children Link in the center of the page.  You will be redirected to the VIRTUSOnline.org site to complete the registration process.  Additional information regarding background checks will be given at the workshop.  If you have questions or need assistance with this process please contact the parish office or the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Program at the number below. 

Victims of sexual abuse, in addition to contacting civil authorities, are asked to come forward in order to receive pastoral assistance.  Reports of abuse may be made to any pastor or to Deacon Phil Hengen, the Director of the Office of Child & Youth Protection for the Archdiocese of St. Louis at 314-792-7704.  Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division Hotline Reporting Number: 1-800-392-3738.

For other questions related to the Safe Environment Program please contact the Safe Environment Help Desk at 314-792-7272.

Missouri Background Checks are updated every even numbered year.  Please let the parish office know if you would like to be removed from the list of active volunteers.  You must also contact the Missouri Family Care Safety Registry at 1-866-422-6872 with address changes.

Parish Contact Information: Karla Perez 636-661-5002 or parish@icomparish.org