Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or Parish School Activities or Events
Adults acting in a staff, faculty, ministerial or other paid or volunteer position in the Archdiocese are role models who are called to treat each minor with respect and care. Staff members, faculty or volunteers serving either in a paid or volunteer position need to maintain professional relationships with minors whether on or off parish or parish school locations. Please review the following guidelines and sign the "Acknowledgment of Receipt" for the file at the school where you work or volunteer.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers will ensure that minors are properly supervised at all times, thus providing them a safe environment. Minors must be viewed as "restricted individuals" because they are not adults and are not independent.
- If staff members/faculty/volunteers who are supervising minors observe a situation where civil law, parish and/or school rules are being violated, they must take appropriate action immediately.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers should always be aware they have considerable personal power because of their ministerial positions. Therefore, they will maintain respectful ministerial relationships, avoiding manipulation and other abuses of power.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers must avoid assuming the role of a "father or mother figure" which may create an excessive emotional attachment for all parties.
- Attraction between adults and minors is possible, and care and caution should be taken in all interactions. The parish/school administration should be informed immediately if such an attraction exists. Dating or sexual relationships between a staff member/faculty/volunteer and a minor are inappropriate and unethical. Dating or sexual relationships between a staff member/faculty/volunteer and a minor are unlawful.
- Communications with minors (e.g., notes, email and internet exchanges, telephone calls) must be for professional reasons only.
- Discussions of a sexual nature must always take place in an appropriate educational context. Sexual jokes, slang or innuendo are inappropriate when interacting with minors.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers will respect confidential information concerning minors or confidential information of a personal nature shared by a minor. However, if a minor shares confidential information that could pose a threat to the minor or to others, the staff member/faculty/volunteer has an obligation to notify the proper authorities.
- When staff members/faculty/volunteers are supervising minors or young adults at parish/parish school-sponsored activities, they may not be under the influence of alcohol, may not consume alcohol in the presence of persons under age 21, nor offer alcohol to them.
- When a staff member/faculty/volunteer is alone in a room with a minor, the door must be open or there must be clear visibility through windows.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers are to engage in games or sports activities with minors only in the presence of other adults, or in a place openly accessible/visible to others.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers planning parish/parish school events in their homes with minors must have the permission of the parish/school administration. In addition, staff members/faculty/volunteers may not have any minor in their homes without the knowledge of the minor's parent or guardian.
- Staff members/faculty/volunteers may not drive minors unless it is to or from a parish/parish school-sponsored activity and may never drive alone with a minor. Driving minors requires parental permission slips that indicate the transportation is by personal vehicle. The parish/parish school administration must approve any use of personal vehicles. Trips involving minors must have a sufficient number of adult chaperones and minors to preclude the appearance of inappropriate personal involvement with minors.
- Parent or guardian written permission is required for the publication of a picture of a minor.
- Adults are permitted to interact alone with minor(s) only after complying with Archdiocesan policies regarding fingerprinting and safe environment training. They may work with minors only as part of a team if they have met these requirements.
