Our perception of the parish environment should give us
comfort that our children and youth are properly protected.
Our Safe Environment program includes several elements.
Please see this as a whole and do not allow one element
alone to provide this comfort.
There are five key elements:
-
Complete the
Diocesan
Screening Form, online or pick up paperwork from
the church office.
-
Attend initial Safe Environment
Training Class. These classes are offered once a month.
Check the bulletin for date and time. One Saturday
morning and one evening class are offered throughout
the year and classes usually last about an hour and
a half.
-
Undergo a criminal background
check and three reference checks, conducted by Accutrak
Investigative Services. Accutrak is a Diocesan approved
investigative vendor.
-
Interview with a staff member.
-
Sign Acknowledgement Form stating
you have read the Diocesan Safe Environment Booklet
and will comply with its requirements. This form MUST
be signed and is required to complete your training
process.
Like legs of a table, if even one of these elements is
not present, the comfort that we seek for our children's
safety begins to collapse. It is possible that because an
individual has received "clearance" to participate
in children's events, we may feel a false sense of comfort
in that individual's presence with our children outside
parish sponsored events. This is especially problematic
if someone encourages you to allow a child or teen to go
with them on a trip or to otherwise be involved with them
because they are "cleared" by St. Jude. It is
our recommendation that you proceed very cautiously in such
circumstances. Please understand that the good effect of
our Safe Environment Program can only extend to those programs
for which the parish is expressly responsible.
Parents, please expect to see a "security badge"
on any adult participating in a parish-sponsored program.
These badges insure that the adult has been properly screened
and trained in the Safe Environment Program of the Diocese
of Dallas. If an adult does not have a badge, please speak
to a staff person or volunteer leader.
