Safe Environment

As a community of faith, we believe that our children are the most important gifts God has entrusted to us and that the prevention of child abuse begins with each person.

St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, in coordination with the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, is committed to the protection and safety of all children. This commitment follows the fundamental mission of the Church to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, to give authentic witness to the moral teaching of the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, and to uphold the human dignity of every person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.

At St. Brigid of Kildare Church, “Best Practice” policies have been established to ensure the safety of our children in every parish and school activity. Our Safe Environment Program was designed for the protection of our children. With that in mind, ALL VOLUNTEERS 18 years of age and older (Athletics, Club Sports, Nursery, School, Scouts, Religious Education, Middle School and High School Youth Ministry and all other programs involving children) must complete the following procedures prior to the first day of volunteering:

  1. Complete a Protecting God’s Children (PGC) awareness session offered throughout the Diocese of Columbus. This program helps raise the awareness of adult volunteers for the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse and steps one can use to prevent child sexual abuse.
  2. Undergo a Civilian Criminal Background/Fingerprint check (BCI&I) and if needed, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (see instructions for completing a fingerprinting background check below).
  3. Complete a Volunteer Application Form which includes the signed Code of Conduct.
  4. Submit a copy of driver license or photo ID to the parish office.

To print a checklist of these requirements and details on how to complete them, click here.

Through these initiatives, we optimize child safe environments and empower our staff and volunteers with tools to help them protect all our children.

Reporting Abuse

Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, or a staff member or volunteer in the Diocese of Columbus should be reported to Laura J. Lewis, M.A., L.P.C.C.-S, the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, 614-224-2251, 866-448-0217, or at helpisavailable@columbuscatholic.org.   If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement immediately.

For individuals wanting to learn more about the prevention of child sexual abuse, please refer to www.virtus.org and sign up for their training bulletins and/or view their continuing education articles.

How to Register for a Protecting God’s Children (PGC) Awareness Session

Registration must be completed online at www.virtus.org. Select “First Time Registrant” on the green bar, left side of screen. Select View List of Session. At the drop down menu, select Diocese of Columbus to view a listing current class offerings, times, and locations. If attendance occurs at a location other than St. Brigid, a Certificate of Attendance must be obtained by you at the end of the session and forwarded to St. Brigid Parish Office to the attention of Safe Environment Coordinator, before compliance can be recorded in our Parish records.

How to Complete a Fingerprinting Background Check

If a volunteer has lived in Ohio for 5 consecutive years, BCI is required. If the volunteer has lived outside of Ohio at any time in the past 5 consecutive years,  both BCI and FBI are required.

To complete a fingerprinting/background check:

Go to Fast Fingerprints located at 1486 Bethel Road, Columbus, OH 43220. www.fastfingerprints.com . Cost is $37 for BCI, or $72 for both BCI and FBI. Checks are made payable to Fast Fingerprints. Results will be sent electronically to the Diocese of Columbus and then to St. Brigid of Kildare. The result is typically received in 2 weeks but it can take up to 30 business days. Click here to download the Fast Fingerprints form.

Individuals must provide a valid Ohio driver license and will be asked to provide their social security number.

How to Complete the Volunteer Form & Code of Conduct

Click this link to access the online Volunteer Application Form. This form also includes the Code of Conduct. Once complete, drop a copy off to the parish office along with your driver’s license, or you may scan and email the completed form to the parish office.

Junior Volunteer Application & Code of Conduct

Click this link to access the junior volunteer application form and code of conduct. This form is for all volunteers under the age of 18 and currently enrolled in 7th through 12th grades. High school graduates and those who will be graduates upon volunteering need to complete the adult volunteer application for adults, attend PGC training, and complete a background check.

Social Media Guidelines

For the protection of our youth, St. Brigid of Kildare has established Social Media Guidelines. These must be read before signing the Code of Conduct.

Click here to view or print the Social Media Guidelines (updated 3.3.2024).

Coaches

All Saint Brigid of Kildare coaches using our facilities and working with St. Brigid youth are required to complete the following training and sign off on the following forms:

  1. Gymnasium & Performance Stage Usage Policies (please read)
  2. Sudden Cardiac Arrest & Lindsay’s Law Training – Information for the Coach (please read)
  3. Sudden Cardiac Arrest & Lindsay’s Law Video (please watch)
  4. Concussion Training 
  5. Play Like a Champion Training – Head Coaches only (please register)
  6. Coaches Code of Conduct (please read and sign)

Safe School Helpline

This Helpline has been developed for students, parents and staff members to help maintain safety and the most positive school environment possible. The purpose of the Safe School Helpline is to promote school safety and report wrongdoings or illegal activity.

·        To text a report, text 614-426-0240, then type TIPS

·        To call, dial 800-418-6423 ext. 359

·        To complete an online report, fill out the form here.

All reports remain anonymous.