“As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the Spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of children. 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.”

The Diocese of Dallas has adopted a Safe Environment Program and mandated its implementation in all parishes, schools and Diocesan entities. This program ensures that St. Joseph Parish and School, in compliance with Diocesan guidelines, is providing a healthy and safe environment for our children. All persons interested in volunteering in any way at the school (i.e. room parent, coach, cafeteria helper, field trip chaperone, etc.) must first be screened and cleared through the program. 

New volunteers should complete all of the Safe Environment requirements during the first quarter of the new school year (August 10-October 6, 2024).  The process takes preparation and time, so clearance is not guaranteed on short notice immediately before events.  Once cleared at the beginning of the school year, volunteers are prepared and ready as opportunities arise!

 

Screening Process:
This process enables us to include you as a participant in The Safe Environment Program. The Screening Form collects certain information used to determine your identity and history.

Complete the Screening Form. Be sure to put the school volunteer (or coach, etc.) as the ministry you will participate in. If you have been previously screened by another location in the Diocese of Dallas, contact the Safety Director where you were screened and request that they add St. Joseph Catholic School to your records. If all information is current, you will be cleared to volunteer at St. Joseph.

The screening form has four parts:

• Personal data
  
• Personal reference information (Please provide email addresses)
  
• Permission for us to conduct a personal Criminal Background Check (CBC every 2 years)
  
• Policy Acknowledgements

Training:
The Diocese of Dallas has implemented “Foundational” training, named MinistrySafe, for the Safe Environment Program.  All employees and volunteers of St. Joseph Church and School are required to take the MinistrySafe training course this year.  The training is accomplished via the Internet.  It consists of nine chapters and will require approximately 90 minutes to complete.  Be aware that you may log out of the training at the end of any chapter, and log back in to select the next chapter to continue, so you don’t have to devote 90 minutes at one time.

At the end of the training, you will be required to complete a 25-question examination on the material.  Upon completion of the exam, with a score of 70%, or higher, you will be issued a certificate of completion, and your record in the Safe Environment database will be updated to reflect your successful completion of your annual retraining.  Since the database will be updated, the Safe Environment officer does not need an image of the certificate.


Please follow the instructions below to access the training module.

Go to the My Obligations web page by clicking the following link:

   https://dallas.setanet.org/obligations.php

• Fill in the First Name field.
  
• Fill in the Last Name field.
  
• Fill in the Street Address field.

Click the Search button.  This will take you to a verification page titled 'Welcome'.
Correct any personal fields, as required, and then click the Update Information and Continue button at the bottom of the page.
This will take you to a page with a section titled: Classes available to take online.
Click on the link:  Standard Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (MinistrySafe) {or Spanish Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (MinistrySafe) for Spanish speakers}
Complete the training module.

Personal Interview:
All participants are required to take part in a personal interview process.  Please contact the Safe Environment Coordinator, Marc Holmes at mholmes@sjcstx.net to schedule that interview.

Completion:
When you have successfully completed all requirements of the Safe Environment Program you will be issued a Volunteer picture ID badge. All volunteers are required to wear the badge while on the St. Joseph campus. We truly appreciate all who are willing to volunteer, but you may NOT volunteer in any capacity at St. Joseph Catholic School/Parish until all program requirements have been met. It is important to note that once you are initially cleared to volunteer, you must be re-certified at the beginning of each new school year. This is done by simply completing an online renewal class.

All volunteers must renew Safe Environment training each year. This is done by completing an online renewal class.

Please follow the instructions below to access the training module.

Go to the My Obligations web page by clicking the following link: 

 https://dallas.setanet.org/obligations.php

Fill in the First Name field.
Fill in the Last Name field.
Fill in the Street Address field.
Click the Search button.  This will take you to a verification page titled Welcome.

Correct any personal fields, as required, and then click the Update Information and Continue button at the bottom of the page.

This will take you to a page with a section titled: Classes available to take online.

Select a class and complete the training module.

A new ID badge will be issued upon successful completion of your online training.  Email Marc Holmes at mholmes@sjcstx.net when training is completed.  Your training will be verified and then an ID badge will be issued. All volunteers are required to wear their badge to identify themselves while on campus.  It must be visible to staff and students at all times.  Your picture ID badge is confirmation that you have been cleared through the Diocesan Safe Environment program. 


If you have any questions regarding Safe Environment requirements, please call Marc Holmes at 972-234-4679 or email mholmes@sjcstx.net.