2024 Safety Coordinator Shout – Outs
Each month we will give a shout-out to a safety coordinator at a parish or school who is well deserving.
During the month of March we are recognizing:
Shelly Wahlmeier
Shelly started volunteering with the Parish of St Joseph’s New Almelo in 2000, when she moved to the area. She started teaching the Confirmation Classes and led the CYO group for a several years. In 2017, Shelly started as the DRE and Safety Coordinator. Still teaching faith formation, she moved from Confirmation class to First Communion class. When there are not enough students to offer a First Communion class or a Confirmation Class, Shelly teaches wherever she is needed. In January, Shelly started with St Francis of Assisi Parish in Norton as their Safety Coordinator. She loves the kids and the St Joseph’s Parish, which is like a family. She is still good friends with the kids from her first year of teaching, those relationships she has made along the way is why she continues the work. In her spare time, she is helping plan weddings for her two children, Jazzmin and Joaquin, and helping her husband, Dan, at home.
Shelly is a great addition to the Safety Coordinator Team in the diocese. Shelly is always willing to help whenever and wherever she is needed. She is compassionate and understanding, and it is evident that she enjoys her role at both St. Joseph and St. Francis. Her cheerful countenance is what I admire most about her. We greatly appreciate all of Shelly’s hard work and commitment, and everything she does as she continues to create a safe environment for everyone in New Almelo and Norton.
Her daily prayer:
“Jesus, I trust in you. Thy will be done. I give you my will, please give me Yours in return. ” – Luisa Piccarreta
Previous Shout-Outs
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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Tracy was recognized as Safety Coordinator of the Year for 2023!
Tracy’s parish career began 6 years ago when she was hired as an Administrative Assistant at Holy Family Elementary in Hays, KS. Her duties include safety coordinator, social media and marketing, retention and recruitment.
This year as a school they have been have been following the virtue of Hope and the Bible verse guiding them has been Isiah 40:31. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “God will take care of all things if I only place my Hope in him”.
Tracy is married to her high school sweetheart, she and Eddie have two boys, Seth and Ben. She is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays, KS and co-chair of the Art and Environment Committee as well as a Eucharistic Minister. Tracy is professional, organized, dependable and hard working. Tracy’s strong communication skills are what stand out most, which is so important as we continue to train and educate people in our parishes, schools, and community; with our mission, promise to protect, pledge to heal.
We greatly appreciate Tracy’s work as Safety Coordinator and all she does at Holy Family Elementary in Hays, 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 September 2021.
COMPLIANCE LETTER JULY 1, 2018 – JUNE 30, 2021The 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). To 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.
USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
The Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC) manages the Catholic Diocese of Salina’s response to a victim/survivors 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.
Overview
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