Safe Environment

New Ministers and Catechists

Welcome to the Safe Environment Program (SEP). Your work with children, youth and/or vulnerable adults is valued by the Church, and is essential to her Work. In order to engage in this work (i.e. with children, youth and/or vulnerable adults), the Church requires that you participate in this Program. Following you will find instructions, and necessary links, for enrolling in the Program. Please note that there are three sections to be completed: Screening Process, Training, and Personal Interview. Please read the instructions carefully and assure that all three sections are properly completed.

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.

Click here to complete the screening form. Please be sure to indicate in which ministry you will participate (i.e. under “Title”). If you have been previously screened by another location in the Diocese of Dallas, simply contact the Safety Director where you were screened and request that they add St. Joseph Catholic Church/School to your records (i.e. as a Location).

The screening form has three parts:

• Personal data

• Personal reference information (Please provide complete mailing addresses, daytime telephone numbers and, if possible, email addresses.)

• Permission for us to conduct a personal Criminal Background Check (CBC).

Training

All new Ministers and Catechists are required to complete an initial training in the form of Standard Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (MinistrySafe). This is an online training. Instructions for this training will be sent to you at the email address given in your Screening Form. If you have no internet access, please contact the Director – Safe Environment at 972-231-2951.

Personal Interview

All participants are required to take part in a personal interview process. The Personal Interview will be conducted by the Director of SEP or his/her designate. You will be contacted soon after completing the Screening Form to schedule the interview.

Completion

We truly appreciate all who are willing to participate in ministry, but you may NOT serve in any ministry to children, youth and/or vulnerable adults, at St. Joseph Catholic School/Parish, until all SEP requirements have been met. It is important to note that once you are cleared to begin ministry, you must update your training annually by simply taking an online renewal class.

Returning Ministers and Catechists

Annual Renewal

If you are a returning minister, all you need do is take an Online Class: (or you may attend a Family of Faith Class, but it is not required for a renewal). You must renew your training each year on or before the date of your last training. You can now check your status and update your training online by clicking the following link: http://dallas.setanet.org/obligations.php

1. Enter your First Name, Last Name and Street Address (only) and click the Search button (i.e. in the lower left). This will take you to a Welcomepage where you can change contact and address information.

2. Make necessary changes to your contact and address information and click the Update Information and Continue button. This will take you to a page with a section called Classes available to take online.

3. Select a class by clicking on its link.

4. Upon completion of the course, determine if a certificate of completion and/or test must be printed. If so, print out the documents.

5. Return the paperwork to the church office.

If you have any questions, please contact SEP Director at 972-231-2951 or by email at ogilbert@stjosephcc.net