The Diocese of St. Petersburg has created a new area of our website to highlight accountability measures in place for the protection of youth and vulnerable adults. The website can be accessed here: www.dosp.org/accountability T his new area is in addition to our existing Safe Environment web pages . In the video below, Bishop Gregory Parkes explains why this website was important to establish .
The Safe Environment Program (SEP) is mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Florida statues and the Province of Florida also require that vulnerable adults be protected. Our SEP programs are meant to enable children and adults to feel secure and protected in their surroundings so children and youth can more freely receive a Catholic education and experience healthy relationships. For our vulnerable adults who may be sick, shut-in, or elderly and suffering from the infirmities of aging we want to foster a safe environment for them and provide a healthy and loving relationship in the image of God. All employees are required to comply with fingerprint policy for background screening and attend safe environment training program as a condition of employment – no exceptions. All volunteers, contractors, vendors, consultants, Memo of Understanding (MOU) personnel, and persons who are entrusted with the care, responsibility, or supervision of children, youth, and, or vulnerable adults are required to comply with fingerprint policy for background screening and attend the appropriate safe environment training program. The SEP consists of two major components: