The Safe Environment Program of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish 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. We strive to achieve this through preventive measures, as well as educational strategies. Prevention of abuse and neglect of our children and youth is foundational to the Safe Environment Program and constitutes its initial focus.

Our tasks are to:

• Implement the Raleigh Diocese Safe Environment Program

• Conduct on-site training sessions for Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

• Ensure that child and youth protection is first and foremost

• Ensure the Code of Conduct is read and understood by all Church personnel (clergy, staff, and volunteers of parishes and schools)

• Assist Supervisors in screening all church personnel

• Serve as liaison for the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP)

• Design and implement educational and awareness strategies for the parish and/or school