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A Safe Environment   

«This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.»
                          John 15:12

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Mission Statement for the Safe Environment Program - Diocese of Dallas

Mission

“As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility, and we 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 which is safe and nurturing.”

 

Safe environment clearance is required for all clergy, staff and volunteers to minister to our children, youth, vulnerable adults, and/or developmentally disabled.  ALL NEW VOLUNTEERS AND PREVIOUSLY CLEARED VOLUNTEERS must complete with the SAFE ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS.

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Thank you for volunteering at Sacred Heart!

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Cecy Tanaka

Safe Environment Officer

safeenvironment@sacredheartrowlett.org

972-475-4405 Ext. 5

New Volunteers  

The Diocesan Safe Environment Department created a new online training program called MinistrySafe.

          This allows all new volunteers to complete part of their training from home.

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1.    Adult volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.
2.    Must be a registered and active parishioner (using contribution envelopes) for a minimum of 6 months at Sacred Heart or -with the Pastor’s approval- if registered in any other Catholic parish in the Diocese of Dallas. 
3.    A person under 21 years may assist as a Volunteer Aide, under the supervision of two cleared adults. Aides under 21 do not need to be cleared.
4.    To start the training, go to https://dallas.setanet.org/
5.    Complete the Online Screening Form.  

       a.    When filling out the form please select Sacred Heart Parish – Rowlett. 
       b.    On the Screening Form you will provide 3 personal/professional references that have                  known you for 3 years.  Please do not list family members or former employers. 
       c.    The e-mail addresses of your references are highly recommended as it will expedite                    the process.  Your references will receive an e-mail, please ask them to reply promptly. 
       d.    Upon completing this form, a background check will be completed.  You will only be                    notified if they find a discrepancy.
       e.    Your information is kept confidential during the background process. Accutrak, a                          Diocesan agency is used to process your information.
       f.    Read the 3 documents at the end of the Screening Form:
             -Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program for Diocesan Entities
             -Policy on Sexual Misconduct for the Diocese of Dallas
             -Diocesan Policy for Social Media.
      g.    Sign the Safe Environment Program for Diocesan Entities Acknowledgment Form and                   the Social Media Policy Verification and Acceptance Form.
      h.    Press “Submit”

6.    Click on “My Obligations” or go to http://dallas.setanet.org/obligations.php 
7.    Verify your personal information.
8.    If you do not have an email address listed, you will be required to enter an email address – you must provide an email address before you can begin the MinistrySafe training.
9.    Select the training “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training” (MinistrySafe).  English and Spanish versions are available.
10.     You must view 9 videos in its entirety and complete a 25-question quiz as part of the
training.
11.     The database will notify the Safe Environment Officer when you complete the training,  
but you can email us a copy of your certificate. Please keep the certificate for your 
records.
12.     The training takes approximately 2 hours.
13.     The Safe Environment Officer must conduct a face-to-face interview with each volunteer,
and will contact you to schedule a mutually convenient time.

        a.    Please allow 1 hour for your interview. 
        b.    At the interview, return the signed Safe Environment Program for Diocesan Entities                         Acknowledgment Form and the Social Media Policy Verification and Acceptance                         Form. 
        c.    A Photo Identification will be taken for your Volunteer Badge. 
        d.    All interviews are kept confidential. The interview is necessary for new volunteers and                   new employees.

14.     After all steps have been completed, please allow at least 7 days for the processing and    distribution of your badge. 
        a.    The Safe Environment Office will contact you to let you know that your badge can be                   picked up at Sacred Heart Church Office.
        b.    The badge must be always worn when you are in the grounds of the Church other                       than attending Mass.
        c.    All badges will expire the date of your training of the next year.

15.     It takes approximately three weeks to complete the initial Safe Environment screening process. 
 

A volunteer is not considered “cleared” at Sacred Heart until an e-mail is sent to the Ministry Leader and to the Volunteer stating all Safe Environment Clearance requirements have been met.  A volunteer should not begin volunteering until the verification email is received. It is the responsibility of the Volunteer to renew his/her training annually, otherwise he/she will not be permitted to volunteer.  The Safe Environment Officer will notify you when you need to complete your renewal training. 

New volunteers

Under AGE 21 Volunteers

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All persons under the age of 21 interested in volunteering for any church or school activity, event, program or ministry at SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH must complete a form and attend a Safe Environment Training Session before they are eligible to serve.

Under21

Returning Volunteers and Staff  

The Diocesan Safe Environment Department created a new online training program called MinistrySafe
This allows all returning volunteers and staff to complete their training from home.

1.    Yearly training is required once every 12 months to retain your Safe Environment status. 
2.    To start the training, go to https://dallas.setanet.org/
3.    Click on “My Obligations” on top of page
4.    Do NOT click on “Screening Form”
5.    Enter your name and address and click search to continue
6.    Verify your personal information.
7.    If you do not have an email address listed, you will be required to enter an email address – you must provide an email address before you can begin the MinistrySafe training.
8.    Click “Update Information and Continue”
9.    Select the training “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training” (MinistrySafe).  English and Spanish versions are available.
10.   You must view 9 videos in its entirety and complete a 25-question quiz as part of the
training.
11.     The database will notify the Safe Environment Officer when you complete the training,  
but you can email us a copy of your certificate. Please keep the certificate for your 
records.
12.     The training takes approximately 2 hours.
13.     After all steps have been completed, please allow at least 7 days for the processing and   distribution of your badge. 
         a.    The Safe Environment Office will contact you to let you know that your badge can be                   picked up at Sacred Heart Church Office.
         b.    The badge must be always worn when you are in the grounds of the Church other                      than attending Mass.
         c.    All badges will expire the date of your training of the next year.


A volunteer is not considered “cleared” at Sacred Heart until an e-mail is sent to the Ministry Leader and to the Volunteer stating all Safe Environment Clearance requirements have been met.  A volunteer should not begin volunteering until the verification email is received. It is the responsibility of the Volunteer to renew his/her training annually, otherwise he/she will not be permitted to volunteer.  The Safe Environment Officer will notify you when you need to complete your renewal training. 

Returning Volunteers

Disqualifying Offenses

  • A felony or misdemeanor classified as an offense against the person or family or involves an offense against the person or family. Examples: Offenses against a person include, but are not limited to, murder, assault, sexual assault, and abandoning or endangering a child or vulnerable adult. Offenses against the family include, but are not limited to bigamy, incest, and interference with child custody, enticing a child, and harboring a runaway child.

  •  A felony or misdemeanor classified as an Offense against Public Order, Safety, or Decency. Examples: Offenses against public order or decency include, but are not limited to prostitution, obscenity, sexual performance by a child, possession or promotion of child pornography, and disorderly conduct.

  •  A felony violation of any law intended to control the possession or distribution of any substance included as a controlled substance in the Texas Controlled Substance Act.

  •  A felony or misdemeanor classified as an Offense against Property, to the extent that those offenses are related to threats or risk of harm or violence. Examples: Offenses against property include Robbery, Burglary of a Habitation, and Arson. Other offenses, such as theft by check, or fraud would not ordinarily be considered Disqualifying Offenses.

  • A felony Computer Crime of online solicitation of a minor.

  • A felony or misdemeanor Offence against Public Health, Safety, and Morals, involving illegal possession or use of weapons. Examples: Disqualifying Offenses would include unlawful weapons charges, including illegal weapons, bombs, and illegal carrying of weapons.

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The foregoing lists of offenses describe categories from the Texas Penal Code. The categories of offenses may be slightly different in other states. In summary, any offense which in the discretion of the Diocese would impact health and safety would be a disqualifying offense.

Disqualifying Offenses

If you have questions, please e-mail Cecy Tanaka,
Safe Environment Officer

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