Archdiocese of Chicago appoints new leader for child protection efforts

The Archdiocese of Chicago on Tuesday announced the appointment of Leah Heffernan as senior director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth and Compliance.

Heffernan previously spent 18 years as the director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review for the archdiocese, and most recently served as director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese of Joliet.

“There are few professionals with the level of expertise and commitment to protecting God’s children and healing survivors possessed by Leah Heffernan,” Cardinal Blase J. Cupich said in Tuesday’s announcement.

Heffernan will oversee the department that responds to allegations of abuse by church personnel and volunteers, helps victim-survivors throughout their healing journey, educates parents, students, caregivers and staff about child abuse and its prevention, and screens all employee and volunteer applicants.

She also will oversee the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review, the Office of Assistance Ministry, the Safe Environment Office and the Prayer and Penance Program.

Heffernan is licensed social worker who holds a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from North Park University, a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Illinois State University.