Safe Environment

Lynne Hudson, Safe Environment Coordinator - School

Colleen Rzeczycki, Safe Environment Coordinator - Parish

Information About Child Protection and Sexual Abuse Allegations within the Diocese of Charleston

Statement from: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB)

Bishop Robert Gugliemone's Letter on Sexual Abuse

Victim Assistance - If you have been abused by a member of the clergy or any other representative of the Church, please contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Kristin Eyre, LISW-CP, (843) 856-0748 or (800) 921-8122.

We at St. Francis by the Sea are committed to creating an environment where all children and vulnerable adults are safe. We have instituted safe environment programs to assure the safety of our children. One is the Safe Haven - It's Up to You for Adults. Another is Teaching Touching Safety which is being given to all children in the school, Religious Education program, and Youth Group, unless their parents opt them out of coverage.

Safe Haven - It's Up To You Training

Safe Haven - It's Up To You Training and background screening are mandatory for all church personnel and volunteers who have access to children and/or vulnerable adults as part of work or ministry. Safe Haven Training is designed to help our community create a safe environment by empowering us to recognize and prevent sexual abuse.

The Teaching Touching Safety program is directed to children and is taught on an age specific basis (Kindergarten through High School) and will help them with their own personal safety.

How To Complete Safe Haven - It's Up To You Training

To complete the training, follow these four easy steps:

Go to https://charleston.cmgconnect.org to complete your new online safe environment curriculum
Create an account.
Start and Complete Safe Haven-It's Up To You Training curriculum. If your ministry requires you to drive, you must also complete the Safe Haven - Defensive Driving curriculum.
When finished, return to the "Dashboard" and download and print your certificate. Then, submit the certificate to either Melissa Markey, Safe Environment Coordinator (SEC) School, or Colleen Rzeczycki, Safe Environment Coordinator (SEC), St. Francis Catholic Church. You may either mail or e-mail your certificate - 45 Beach City Road, Hilton Head, SC 29926 or e-mail Melissa or Colleen.

Certificates for Safe Haven - It's Up to You Training curriculum expires after 5 years. If you need to renew your certificate, please click on this link to get the instructions.

How to Complete Vulnerable Adults eLearning (Only for Individual Working with Vulnerable Adults)

Getting Started:

Go to the CMG Connect Website
If you are a new user, please create a new account by completing all of the boxes under Register for a New Account. This will include your address, primary parish, and how you participate at your parish/school. If you have any questions, please contact Colleen (Safe Environment Coordinator - Parish) or Melissa (Safe Environment Coordinator - School).
If you already have an account, please sign in under Existing Accounts with your log in and password.
Locate the 1. Vulnerable Adults eLearning - Charleston training in your Optional Trainings section. You will need to scroll down on your Dashboard to locate this training.
Click the start button to begin the training.
Please download the certificate of completion and turn it into Colleen or Melissa.