The record keeping tasks associated with the diocesan initiatives relating to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People can be extensive, but
compliance in all diocesan locations has always been a necessity. Someone in each parish or school is designated as the Local Safe Environment Coordinator to ensure that all locations are compliant. The responsibilities of the Local Safe Environment Coordinator include the oversight of the Diocese’s background check policy to ensure that all employees and volunteers have been checked and found eligible. This person is also to make sure that all employees and appropriate volunteers have completed all of the required information listed on the Diocese of Allentown Safe Environment Requirements Checklist. Our Parish Safe Environment Coordinator is Janessa Lanning O’Donnell, and she can be reached at the information below.
Sr. Meg Cole, the Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of Allentown, oversees all local Safe Environment Coordinators to promote compliance, including visits to all diocesan schools and Parishes to verify that all files contain the necessary records.
St. Joseph Parish Safe Environment Coordinator
Mrs. Janessa Lanning O’Donnell
Phone: (610) 965-2877
Email: safeenvironmentcoordinator@stjoescoopersburg.org
Please contact Mrs. Lanning O'Donnell for all volunteering positions related to St. Joseph Church - including, but not limited to: PREP, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and High School Teen Group. Please note - any other individual or group running or assisting at a child/youth activity, or, using Parish buildings during school/PREP hours may be required to complete the clearance process. This may include members of any of our Parish Social and/or Spiritual Activities.
St. Michael the Archangel School
Safe Environment Coordinator
Mrs. Julia Spehalski
Phone: (610) 625-2748
Email: jspehalski@st-mikes.com
Please contact Mrs. Spehalski for all volunteering positions related to our Parish school and/or CYO.
Diocese of Allentown
Safe Environment Coordinator
Sr. Meg Cole
2145 Madison Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: 610.332-0442 Ext. 2019
Fax: 610.332-0444
Email: mcole@allentowndiocese.org