Safe Environment Resources
Frequently Used Forms
2025-26 Annual Protect and Heal Report Forms for Schools and Parishes - Due March 1, 2026
Diocese of La Crosse Protect and Heal Program
Promise to Protect Pledge to Heal contact numbers for more information on available resources or family and children’s support programs within the Diocese of La Crosse. Download – PDF
Attachments to the Diocese of La Crosse Protect and Heal Program
- Safe Environment Check List for all Adult Volunteers and Staff
- Safe Environment Check List for all Minor Volunteers and Staff
- Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse
- Checklist for Screening, Evaluation and Monitoring Guidelines for Diocesan Administrators, Employees and Volunteers
- Checklist for Protect and Heal Education and Training
- Child Sexual Abuse Review Board
Diocese of La Crosse Protect and Heal Poster
Code of Conduct for the Diocese of La Crosse
Pastoral Guidelines for the use of Social Networking and Technology
USCCB Charter Resources
Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection
In Dallas, 2002, at their Annual Meeting, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops drafted a landmark document in response to the crisis of sexual abuse of children in the Church. This document, setting forth their agreed upon responsibilities in combating the problem, was entitled the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Charter specifically created the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and assigned to it three central tasks:
- To assist each diocese and eparchy (eastern Rite Churches) in implementing “Safe Environment” programs designed to ensure necessary safety and security for all children as they participate in church and religious activities
- To develop an appropriate compliance audit mechanism to assist the Bishops and Eparchs in adhering to the responsibilities set forth in the Charter
- To prepare a public, annual report describing the compliance of each diocese and eparchy to the Charter’s provisions.
Read more . . .
Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the USCCB in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse.
The Charter directs action in all the following matters:
• Creating a safe environment for children and young people;
• Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors;
• Making prompt and effective response to allegations;
• Cooperating with civil authorities;
• Disciplining offenders;
• Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board.
Read full text of the Charter. . .
National Review Board
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the National Review Board during their meeting in June of 2002. The functions of the Board were revised slightly and reconfirmed in June of 2005 when the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was revised and extended through 2010. The purpose of the National Review Board is to collaborate with the USCCB in preventing the sexual abuse of minors in the United States by persons in the service of the Church.
Read more. . .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Secretariat for Child and Youth Protection maintains a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) on their website. Sections are included for the following:
• Background Evaluations
• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
• Clergy
• Code of Conduct
• Essential Norms
• National Review Board
• Parents
• Safe Environment
• Safe Environment Training for Children
• Victims
Read more. . .
John Jay College of Criminal Justice Studies
Studies on Clergy Sexual Abuse Commissioned by USCCB through the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010
Annual Audit Report
Audits to determine compliance with the Bishops’ Charter are conducted in dioceses each year. Statistics on background checks and training programs are collected from all dioceses every year. Every third year, dioceses undergo an on-site audit where key diocese officials are interviewed, records are examined and parishes are visited.
The data is compiled each year and an annual report is generated. Click to view the most recent report.
USCCB Resources
USCCB has gathered a number of resources available to dioceses, parishes and the public. Click here to view resources.
Websites for Child Safety
Many organizations are devoted to the safety of children. USCCB continues to build and monitor a list of valuable websites.
Additional Online Resources
Secretariat for Child & Youth Protection – www.usccb.org/ocyp
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site dealing with their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Site provides many resources for parents, parishes, and dioceses.
US Department Health & Human Services – Child Welfare Information Gateway – www.childwelfare.gov Federal government site which provides comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – www.missingkids.com Established in 1984 as a private, nonprofit organization to provide services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually exploited children.
NetSmartz – www.netsmartz.org
Part of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children devoted entirely to educating adults, children and teens about the safe use of the internet.
Child Lures Prevention – www.childluresprevention.com
Sections “For Parents” and “Research and Statistics” provide sound information for all adults concerned about the safety of children and youth.
Darkness to Light – www.darkness2light.org
National nonprofit organization and initiative devoted to raising awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
Safe Environment Training Videos
Protect and Heal – Program and Training from Diocese of La Crosse on Vimeo.
Protect and Heal – Program and Training
Bishop Battersby, Sergeant Matthew Wright from the Trempealeau Police Department and Teresa Brown review the Diocese of La Crosse Protect and Heal practices and policies and procedures that are in place to provide a Safe Environment in which the message of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed and received.
Safe Environment Program – Youth Ministry from Diocese of La Crosse on Vimeo.
Safe Environment Program – Youth Ministry
Chris Rogers – Director of Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Julie Studinski – Youth Minister for St. Bronislava Parish in Plover, Wisconsin, take an in-depth look at what Youth Ministers need to know with regards to providing a safe environment for the youth and young adults of our diocese.
Safe Environment In Child Care Settings from Diocese of La Crosse on Vimeo.
Safe Environment Program – In a Child Care Setting
Gayle Flaig, Administrator of Early Childhood Programs at Regis Catholic Schools, and Julie Burhop, Director of Regis Child Development Center, explore what workers in a child care setting need to know with regards to providing a safe environment for children in child care.
Contact Information
Teresa Brown
Director of Safe Environment
Diocese of La Crosse
PO Box 4004
La Crosse, WI 54602-4004
Telephone: 608-791-2679