The Archdiocese of Chicago has announced the appointment of Leah Heffernan, MSW, LSW as the senior director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth (OPCY) and Compliance. Her appointment is effective from December 3, 2024. Heffernan returns to the Archdiocese after previously serving for 18 years as the director of the Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review within OPCY. Most recently, she held the position of director at the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese of Joliet.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, expressed his satisfaction with Heffernan's return: “We are pleased Leah Heffernan will bring her decades of experience back to the Archdiocese of Chicago,” he said. “There are few professionals with the level of expertise and commitment to protecting God’s children and healing survivors possessed by Leah Heffernan. These efforts are the top priority for the Archdiocese and she is equal to this critical task.”

In her new role as senior director at OPCY, Heffernan will manage responses to abuse allegations involving church personnel and volunteers. She will also assist victim-survivors in their recovery process, educate various groups about child abuse prevention, and oversee screening processes for employees and volunteers. Additionally, she will lead several offices under OPCY including those focused on investigations, assistance ministry, safe environments, and prayer programs.

Heffernan's previous role at the Diocese of Joliet involved implementing responses aligned with United States Conference of Catholic Bishops policies regarding child protection. She coordinated outreach services supporting victims/survivors affected by sexual abuse perpetrated by church personnel.

Her career began with joining the Archdiocese in 2002 where she was responsible for handling minor abuse allegations against clergy and conducting related investigations. She also liaised with an independent review board that evaluated investigation findings.

Before her tenure at the Archdiocese, Heffernan worked as a clinical therapist in Skokie, Illinois. Her background includes roles such as a child welfare specialist at Catholic Charities and a child care supervisor at Hephzibah Children's Association.

Heffernan holds licenses in social work from Illinois along with academic credentials comprising a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from North Park University, a master’s degree in social work from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Illinois State University.

OPCY provides support services like therapy sessions aimed at aiding abuse survivors' healing journeys while ensuring compliance across parishes with archdiocesan policies on abuse prevention.

Further details about OPCY can be accessed through their website Home - Protection of Children and Youth (archchicago.org).