Child Protection Policy

The Diocese of Belleville implemented The Child Protection Policy in July 2003. St. Clare School requires all faculty, substitute teachers, non-certified personnel, coaches, and other school volunteers to participate in the Child Protection Training sessions. Students also participate in an educational age-appropriate program each year. This program is not mandatory but is highly recommended.

https://www.diobelle.org/faith-formation/child-protection

Requirements of Child Protection Policy for all those working with children:

Volunteer Requirements:

1. Volunteer Application - Click Here

2. CANTS Form (Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System)

3. Criminal Investigation - Background Screening Disclosure and Authorization

4. Initial Child Projection Training

5. Annual Refresher Course - https://www.diobelle.org/faith-formation/child-protection

6. Fingerprinting (those in leadership positions)

*Forms are obtained through the school office.

Procedures for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

If there is suspicion of child abuse concerning a student, DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) must be notified along with the principal. The pastor should be notified if principal is one being reported. All volunteers for field trips, classroom, etc. must be cleared under the Child Protection Policy by the principal.

When to Call DCFS?

The law states that a mandated reporter should call the child abuse hotline (1-800-25-ABUSE) when he/she has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected. Some examples of when to call are:

1. When a mandated reporter sees someone hitting a child with an object.

2. When a mandated reporter sees marks on a child’s body which look like they were not sustained accidentally.

3. When a child tells you that someone has harmed the child.

4. When a child appears to be undernourished, is dressed inappropriately for the weather, or is young and has been left alone.

These are only a few examples of situations when a mandated reporter must report.

Who is a Mandated Reporter?

The Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, requires or mandates the members of several professions to report child abuse. These include:

1. Physicians, surgeons, registered and practical nurses, hospital administrators and other staff involved in the examination of treatment of patients,

2. Dentists, osteopaths, psychologists, Christian Science practitioners, coroners, medical examiners, chiropractors and podiatrists,

3. All parish and school personnel, including but not limited to teachers, PSR teachers, youth leaders and youth volunteers, coaches, and administrative staff, principals and DRE’s, CRE’s, directors and staff assistants of day care centers and nursery schools, child care workers and aides, foster parents, agency homemakers, registered psychologists and volunteers who work with children.

4. Truant officers, probation officers, law enforcement officers, social workers and social service administrators and,

5. All field personnel of the state departments of Children and Family Services, Public Health, Public Aid, Corrections and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

SEXUAL ABUSE HOTLINE:

Anyone wishing to report an allegation of sexual misconduct by a priest or other diocesan personnel please call the hotline: 800-640-3044.