Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee - Bishop's Charter Requirements

Annual Safe Environment Sessions:

Each parish religious education and youth ministry program and each school shall provide an opportunity for parents/guardians to take part in an educational program in the prevention, recognition and reporting of sexual abuse of children and youth.

It is critical that we educate our children and youth people regarding their personal safety. Age appropriate information shall be provided to all children and youth involved in Catholic schools, Parish Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs in the diocese.

Requirements for Teachers and Volunteers working with children:

Any adult (18 and over, paid or volunteer) responsible for the instruction and guidance of children and young people including Catholic school teachers and aides, parish catechetical leaders, catechists, youth ministers and youth advisors and coaches must complete:

• Fingerprinting
• Criminal Background Check
• Diocesan Abuse Prevention Workshop
• Safe Environment Teaching Workshop
• Read Diocesan Code of Conduct for Church Personnel and Volunteers and sign the required form
• Read Policy and Procedural Guidelines Relating to Sexual Abuse by Church Personnel and Volunteers and sign the required form

*All Catholic school teachers must also complete the "Lures" Program.

All Employees of the Diocese and Diocesan Entities who drive for business related purposes and all drivers for any church/school/organization sanctioned event must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Have completed a Volunteer Driver Information Sheet
• Have been cleared through the Diocesan driver's license check
• Have $100,000 / $300,000 insurance liability on the car they are driving
• Not have any medical condition nor be taking any medications that would impair their ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Each passenger must be in his or her own seat (not sitting in laps)
• Each passenger must wear a seatbelt

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse or Neglect

Florida Statutes require that any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child must report the knowledge or suspicion to the DCFS. This report must be made immediately via one of the following methods:

• State-wide toll-free number
  1-800-962-2873


• TDD
  1-800-453-5145


• Report Abuse Online
  http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/


• FAX
  1-800-914-0004

If the report is made by a school teacher or other school official or personnel, the reporter is required to provide his or her name, which shall be held confidential.

For more information about state requirements, what constitutes abuse or neglect and who may be a mandatory reporter, you can view this brochure provided by the Department of Children and Family Services. It also includes a form for submitting a report via Fax

Digital Youth

The founder of multiple-intelligences theory discusses the challenges ethics and education face as digital media become more prevalent.