TO:                  Parishioners of St. Basil the Great

FROM:            Fr. Walt Jenne

RE:                   Guidelines and Procedures for the Safety and Protection of Children

DATE:             February 1, 2003

            The attached Guidelines and Procedures for the Safety and Protection of Children have been prepared by an Ad Hoc committee of St. Basil parishioners.

            For our parish community, these documents represent a proactive stance in keeping our children safe and from harm’s way.

            We will adhere to these procedures faithfully in all of our endeavors to minister to our children and youth.

            I am deeply grateful to all the members of St. Basil’s Ad Hoc Committee for the Safety and Protection of our Children.  The members of the Ad Hoc Committee are:

Fr. Walt Jenne                          Mary Ann Webb                      Debbie Kukurza

Dan Brinkman                          Bill Byrne                                 Cliff Bellmore

Debbie King                             Tom Lekan                               Nanci Schlabig

Joan Spohn                              Sharon Szabo                           Jay Youngs

Pete & Trish Decensi                Joe Kochis                               Maria Ramundo

            We are awaiting the publication of the Diocesan Policy on Sexual Abuse of Minors.  This will be made available to you upon publication.  We are also awaiting the publication of an education program for organizations, volunteers, parents and children being prepared by the Ohio Community Services Council (OCSC).  Upon receipt of the Diocesan Policy and the OCSC program, we will develop a training/education program for St. Basil the Great.

            We have completed fingerprinting of all staff and volunteers who minister to children.  We will continue this process for all new staff and volunteers.