As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults as they participate in activities within or sponsored by our Diocese. It is our responsibility and commitment to provide an environment that is safe and nurturing.

In order to achieve the above, the diocese has a Safe Environment Program that implements training, screening, background checks, and other procedures that are designed to reduce the risk of sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. Every parish, school, and Diocesan agency has the program and each is responsible for program implementation and continuation.
 

Who needs to be Safe Environment trained in parishes and schools?

Safe Environment Screening procedures are to be used with staff and volunteers who work directly with minors and vulnerable adults. Other volunteers who must follow the screening procedures are ushers/greeters.  

What are the steps of the Safe Environment screening procedure?

1. Online Screening Form. All staff and volunteers must complete the online screening form. Volunteers should have attended the parish for six months in order to become well-known among the other adults and leaders. The pastor or his designate can grant a waiver of the six-month rule. 
2. Employment Application. Those applying for a paid position must complete an employment application and screening form.
3. Reference Check. Complete a reference check from the references listed on the screening form and application. Maintain a written record of each reference check using safe environment reference information.
4. Interview. Interview each new applicant using Safe Environment Interview Form.
5. Criminal Background Check. Conduct a criminal background check on clergy and staff. Also, conduct a criminal background check on all volunteers who work with minors and vulnerable adults and ushers/greeters. All criminal background checks must be updated every two (2) years through a Diocesan-approved vendor.

All collected information is to be treated as confidential.

Which initial training should be attended when a person is getting Safe Environment trained for the first time?

All new volunteers or employees must attend a “Family of Faith” session as part of the Safe Environment certification process. This class can be taken at one’s personal parish or school if it is being offered; however, attendance at any “Family of Faith” class offered in the diocese and featured on the Diocese of Dallas SEP Scheduled Classes Page is acceptable.

If you attend a “Family of Faith” session at a parish or school other than your own, it is imperative that you register for the class online, make sure to sign the attendance log upon arrival, and receive a copy of your certification as proof of attendance to this class for your parish Safe Environment officer.

What are the steps of completing the annual renewal process for the Safe Environment certification?

You have many options when renewing your certification, including:

• Parish Class. You may attend a class offered by your parish to renew your certification.
• Classes offered at another parish. View the Diocese of Dallas SEP Scheduled Classes Page to find a class that fits your schedule and offers a topic that interests you.
• Online Classes. Go to https://www.cathdal.org/pages/Update_Training to find modules available for online training and the steps needed to complete training.