2024 Safety Coordinator Shout – Outs
Each month we give a shout-out to a safety coordinator at a parish or school who is well deserving.
Our Safety Coordinator Team for the Month of December is…
Mary Harmon and Lucinda Roths
Mary Harmon has been a first, second, and third grade CCD/PRE/YFF catechist since starting in 1987 in Minneapolis, KS, then to Salina, and Ellsworth, with 25+ years as a Catechist. Mary became a certified Master Catechist on 2-7-2017 while at St. Elizabeth’s. Most recently Mary started as DRE and Safety Coordinator at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in 2024. Mary works closely with Lucinda Roth to monitor and maintain the safety of the staff and students and the parish. “I enjoy working with people, and from an early age, I knew I wanted to teach. I’m a learner, and enjoy working with our teachers and students so that we all can grow stronger in our Catholic faith. God has truly been at work in me, and has blessed me with another day to learn and share something new. I’m honored to be working with such a great group of dedicated, faith-filled people.”
Mary is a retired elementary school teacher and librarian with 32 years of experience in the Salina School District. She is now active in many roles/duties at St. Elizabeth’s parish and at Sacred Heart Cathedral morning Masses. She is Regent for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Salina Court #1972. She enjoys volunteering at Catholic Charities in Salina and at the local elementary schools. Mary, and her husband, Kim, have two children and four grandchildren, and will soon celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary. She enjoys reading, quilting, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. 🙏Blessings to you all!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Lucinda has been the Administrative Assistant / Accountant / Office Manager at St. Elizabeth’s since 2010, taking on increasing Safe Environment duties along the way. Prior to that, Lucinda worked as an Auditor for the states of Minnesota and Oklahoma, an Accounting Controller, and a Corporate Accountant. However, her most important job is being a wife and mother. When not working, she loves riding with her husband on their Harley and spending time with their 3 adult daughters and soon to be son-in-law. Lucinda also enjoys reading, sewing, and crafting.
No duty is too little to be done well.” ~ St. Mary MacKillop.
Mary and Lucinda are a joy to work with and are a great addition to the Safety Coordinator Team in the diocese. We greatly appreciate all of their hard work, especially as they prepared for their on-site visit this year. Thank you, Mary and Lucinda, for your dedication and commitment as we continue our mission, promise to protect, pledge to heal.
Previous Shout-Outs
November 2024 Megan Nobert – Safety Coordinator – St. John’s Parish in Clyde
October 2024 Keely Meinke – Safety Coordinator – St. Edward Parish in Belleville
September 2024 Rhonda Machin- Safety Coordinator – MCS/Manhattan and Bryce Woodall- Safety Coordinator -SHJSH/Salina
May 2024 Loretta Studer – Safety Coordinator – Sacred Heart Parish in Atwood and St. Mary’s Parish in Hernon
April 2024 Laura Schwarz – Safety Coordinator of the Year, Sacred Heart Parish and School – Colby, KS
March 2024 Shelly Wahlmeier – Safety Coordinator St. Joseph – New Almelo and St. Francis of Assisi -Norton, KS
February 2024 Amy Hudson – Safety Coordinator TMP Marian, Hays, KS
January 2024 Amanda Martin – Safety Coordinator Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Goodland, KS
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COMPLIANCE
Please click compliance letter below to read the letter addressed to Bishop Vincke from StoneBridge Business Partners regarding the most recent audit findings from our on-site audit conducted November 2024.
COMPLIANCE LETTER JULY 2021-SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 COMPLIANCE LETTER JULY 1, 2018 – JUNE 30, 2021————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
OVERVIEW OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT OFFICE
The Catholic Diocese of Salina is committed to maintaining safe environments for children to learn, pray and grow. The Safe Environment Office is responsible for implementing and overseeing the full diocesan response to the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (click below to read).
USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young PeopleTo ensure the safety of children and young people entrusted in our care, we provide educational training programs (through CMGConnect on-line platform), conduct presentations, and provide resource materials to personnel ministering to minors in our schools and parishes in relation to the directives of the Charter. Along with the training, with the assistance of the Human Resources Department, the office helps to oversee background screenings of these trained adults.
The Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC) manages the Catholic Diocese of Salina’s response to a victim/survivor of sexual abuse by serving as a contact and support for them, offering information regarding therapy, counseling and opportunities for outreach toward healing and restoration for the individual and their family. The VAC may also make recommendations to the bishop regarding any special needs of the affected parishes or community.
The Safe Environment Office supports our parishes and schools, maintains the compliance of our Dioceses and is an excellent resource for parents, educators, volunteers and community members.
As a community of faith, we believe that the prevention of child sexual abuse begins with each person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to take to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.
In the Catholic Diocese of Salina, we ensure this by:
- Thoroughly screening and training all clergy, employees, educators and volunteers, with regard to contact with minors. This group includes drivers who transport minors, coaches, kitchen workers, and playground supervisors, just to name a few. The training is done through CMGConnect our on-line training platform through Catholic Mutual which includes an integrated background check through Selection.com
- Providing appropriate training in recognizing and reporting child sexual abuse to appropriate civil and church authorities. This training is done through meetings and presentations and is also discussed during on-site audit visits with parish and school Safety Coordinators, Pastors and Principals. Child Abuse training materials are presented through various handouts, flyers, posters and are distributed to parishes and schools via our website, newsletter, and the SDNB.
- Holding all members of the clergy, employees and volunteers who work with minors to Christ centered and professional policies and codes of conduct. Read the Diocese of Salina Policy and Code of Conduct below.
- Providing safe environment training for STUDENTS in catholic schools and parish religious education programs. In these yearly refreshers, teachers will instruct ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and young people. These age-appropriate lessons may include information and instruction about: God’s love, relationships, personal space, boundaries, respect and care; safe and unsafe touches; lures, internet safety, bullying, as well as how to get help from a trusted adult. This training is for students in grades K-12.
- For more information regarding the Safe Environment Program for the Catholic Diocese of Salina please contact Wendy Backes 785-827-8746 #124
FROM THE USCCB – 2023 Annual Report
The 2023 Annual Report on the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People has been released. It describes the progress of Catholic dioceses/eparchies in implementing victim assistance and child protection policies and programs in the United States, particularly those found within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Annual Report is based on an annual audit process, carried out between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, by Stonebridge Business Partners. To read the full results of the report click here.
