Protection of Youth & Children Initiative

Under the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Sister Kathleen Kane serves as the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, assisting in the immediate pastoral care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel.  Sr. Kathleen Kane also serves as the VIRTUS® Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings.  Click here for a list of Sister Kathleen Kane's qualifications.

Mission:  To respond to complaints of sexual abuse by clergy, religious, lay personnel and volunteers in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings.  To provide a vehicle to address sexual abuse issues and create public awareness in relation to abuse and to promote safe, healthy communities of faith.  As Virtus® Safe Environment Coordinator,  report to the Bishop regarding compliance with the USCCB Charter and Norms.  To serve as liaison for the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings for the safe environment program and to communicate, assist, and provide instructional materials to clergy, teachers, volunteers and others who work with children.  To provide updates on the safe environment program for diocesan employees, parish staff and volunteers and to fulfill the record-keeping requirements of the VIRTUS® Program.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT RESOURCES:

Required Documents:
Code of Pastoral Conduct for Staff
Code of Pastoral Conduct for Volunteers
These documents establish a broad set of standards to guide parish and school employees as well as those who volunteer with children in parishes.

Diocesan Sexual Ethics Policy
Original Policy dated August 1995, with revisions made in November 2000, September 2001, October 2002, and October 2003.

Background Check Authorization & Release Form

VIRTUS®:  Protecting God's Children for Adults

VIRTUS® is the brand name that identifies best practice programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "rightdoing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS® program empowers organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church.
VIRTUS® training is a three hour awareness session designed to better equip adults to protect children in the world around them.  It is required for all clergy, deacons, school and parish employees as well as all volunteers who are in regular contact with children under the age of 18.
Click here for a list of available sessions.

How to Register On-Line
Introduction to VIRTUS
Unable to attend a live VIRTUS Presentation? - Contact Sister Kathleen Kane at 406-378-2369 for directions on how to complete the on line modules if you are unable to attend a live session.

Children's Safe Environment Training

Annual Requirements - The documents necessary to complete annual presentations for children and youth in our parishes and schools as mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are listed below.  Please contact Anthony Allen, Director of Youth Ministry & Catechesis, Harry Plummer, Superintendent of Catholic Schools or Sr. Kathleen Kane, Safe Environmentictim Assistance Coordinator with questions regarding this information.

Safe Enviroment Forms & Materials for 2010

Letter from Bishop Warfel for 2009-2010 Academic Year
2010 Safe Environment Procedures
Sample Intro Letter to Parents
Approved Video Resources
Teaching Points PreK-Grade 6
Teaching Points Middle-High School
Parent Opt-Out Form
Sample Parent Letter Opt-Out
Children's Safe Environment Tracking Form
Poster-How To Report Child Abuse
Memo - Compliance with Audit
Sample Pastor Letter - Compliance with Audit

 
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 VICTIM ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

Reporting Allegations
Diocesan Policy Implementation Plan
Rights & Obligations of the Alleged Violator
Victim Support
Complaint Form Abuse of Minors
About Reporting Sexual Abuse of Minors
The Five Step Process

Independent Review Board
This Board was established as set forth in the revised "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," approved by the United States College of Catholic Bishops in November 2002.

The Independent Review Board Rules
The Independent Review Board

Communications Policy

Communications Policy of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Checklist for Parishes & Schools to Prepare for OCYP Audit
New Employees Census Page Parishes
New Volunteers Census Page  Parishes
New Employees Census Form Schools
New Volunteers Census Form Schools

Background Investigations
Background Check Authorization Form
Frequently Asked Questions

 Links
Related Articles
USCCB Office of Child & Youth Protection

To Contact Sr. Kathleen Kane

Phone: (406) 378-2369
e-mail:  kkop@itstriangle.com

Victim Hotline Only:  (406)-378-2250

Mailing Address
PO Box 20
Big Sandy, MT    59520-0020