The overwhelming majority of our clergy and lay leaders are hardworking individuals who are dedicated to serving the People of God in our parishes and schools. All of us together are responsible for making sure that all of our ministries are as safe as possible for our children and young people. That means each of us has a responsibility to educate ourselves about the real danger of sexual abuse. The Los Angeles Archdiocese has produced two excellent pamphlets, "Respecting the Boundaries: Keeping Ministerial Relationships Healthy and Holy," and "Working Together to Prevent Sexual Abuse." Both pamphlets are available online at: www.la-archdiocese.org. Click the "Protecting Children" tab.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone, especially during the summer months, can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips to teach kids that will help keep them safe when you are not with them at home: Never answer the door if alone. Do not invite anyone in the house without the permission of a parent or babysitter. Don't tell anyone on the phone that your parents are not home. Instead tell them that your parents can't come to the phone, and take a message. For more tips, please visit www.kidsafe.com.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

Did you know that every Catholic school in the Los Angeles Archdiocese is required to have a written plan for emergency procedures? The plan must include provisions for fire, earthquake, disaster and evacuation drills and lockdown procedures that conform to local, state and county requirements. Each school’s plan must be updated annually, and made available to parents. Does your own family have a similar plan for what to do and where to gather in the event of an emergency? City and County disaster preparedness agencies are a good resource to use for making your own emergency plan.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.

Every teacher, coach, and volunteer who works with children in the Los Angeles Archdiocese's parishes and schools must have a background check before he or she is permitted to work in any school or parish-related job or activity that involves contact with children. But many of our children attend non-Catholic private or public schools. What steps do these schools take? Talk with school administrators and find out what steps they take to protect children from harm. Suggest that they review other abuse prevention programs to ensure that their policies and practices are up to date. And demand that all employees and volunteers who work in the school be properly screened, including background checks, before they are allowed to be near your children. For more information, please call the Archdiocesan Safeguard the Children office: (213) 637-7227. For more information, please call the Archdiocesan Safeguard the Children office: (213) 637-7227.

For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650.