The Safe Environment Program at Our Lady of Angels Parish

"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 which is safe and nurturing. In order to achieve the above, the Diocese of Dallas 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."   from the Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Information Page

Safe Environment at Our Lady of Angels Our Lady of Angels has adopted a Safe Environment Program to help protect the children, youth, and vulnerable adults of our parish. The program also helps reduce the risk of false accusations against staff or volunteers. All adult volunteers must satisfy the Safe Environment requirements. When you complete this process, you are considered a "cleared adult."   Adult volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, and a registered member of the Our Lady of Angels parish for at least 6 months. A person under 18 years may assist as a Volunteer Aide, under the supervision of two cleared adults. Aides do not need to be cleared.    SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY MANUAL - CLICK HERE  Safe Environment Requirements  Interview Evaluation  Screening Application  Reference Check / Background Check  Training Class  Any parishioner who would like to become a volunteer should contact one of the Ministry Directors to apply. The Ministry Director will answer questions about the ministry and complete an Interview Form for the Safe Environment file. New volunteers will be asked to complete a background Screening Form and must agree to adhere to the Save Environment Policy and Guidelines. VOLUNTEER SCREENING APPLICATION FORM click here The volunteer must satisfy a personal reference check and a criminal background check. Results of these checks typically take 3-5 business days from the date that the Screening Form is received. All personal reference and criminal background checks are conducted by an independent licensed investigation agency.  New Volunteers must attend a "Family of Faith" Safe Environment training class one time. You do not have to pre-register and materials are not required. Sessions last about 90 minutes. SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING SCHEDULE Click Here Fingerprinting (select Ministries) Volunteers who work with ministries involving children, youth, or live-alone elderly must satisfy a Fingerprint records check.    Annual Renewal Requirements Criminal background checks are automatically updated each year. Volunteers are also required to refresh their Safe Environment training each year. Current volunteers will be notified when their training must be renewed. For more information, contact the Safe Environment Director at Our Lady of Angels. Volunteers whose training is due for annual renewal will receive a postcard notice with instructions. The verification card must be returned upon completion of the online re-training video titled "Internet Danger - Your Safety Net" and your file will be updated. Click here to download Training Renewal letter and form Click here to access the video.  For a current listing of all cleared volunteers, please click HERE  Our Lady of Angels Safe Environment Officer Fernando Santos   469-467-9669

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