Dear Parishioners:
For one hundred years the members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church have watched over and guarded our children, young people, elderly, and most vulnerable parishioners. Today more than ever, every Catholic adult and young person must remain vigilant to root out abuse in the Catholic Church. Safe environment training on an annual basis is now a way of life for the Catholic Community. Thank you for the generous gift of your time and your service to our parish community. Thank you for helping to build an environment of trust and respect in our parish and in our diocese. Thank you for making regular annual safe environment training a part of your life as a Catholic and as a citizen.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. J. Antonio Ruiz, C.M.
Pastor
Holy Trinity Family of Faith Training Sessions
Safe Environment training will be conducted for all NEW volunteers as well as those due for the ANNUAL REQUIRED UPDATE on:
November 15 - 10:15 am
January 19 - 7:00 pm
February 21 - 10:15 am
March 23 - 7:00 pm
April 18 - 10:15 am
May 18 - 7:00 pm
This training (including online option) is required on an annual basis for all volunteers working with minors and vulnerable adults throughout the Diocese. If you plan on continuing to volunteer at Holy Trinity, you must comply with all requirements to remain eligible. If you are unsure of your status, contact Linda Lopez at 214-526-8555 or lindal@htccd.org. You may attend training at Holy Trinity or at other parishes.
Getting started with Safe Environment
If you have never volunteered before, please fill out the screening form. Your form will be emailed directly to our Safe environment Coordinator.
Online Training
If you are fulfilling the annual retraining, you may choose to train on line. Please choose one of the options under Update Training on the diocesan website. Complete the test/form and submit it to the Safe Enviroment Coordiantor for credit.
Mission Statement for the Safe Environment Program - Diocese of Dallas
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.
Goals
· Provide a safe and secure environment for the faith community
· Provide education and training for all ministry volunteers
· Provide a system to respond to victims and their families
· Reduce the possibility of false accusations against clergy, staff, and volunteers
· Reduce the legal risk and liability for the parish and the diocese.
Volunteer Requirements of the Safe Environment Policy
1) Screening
· Complete a screening form
· Consent to an initial criminal background check and subsequently every two years
· Personal interview
· 3 Reference checks
· Complete the acknowledgement form
2) Annual Training
3) Supervision
· Ensuring that two or more adults are present for events
4) Guidelines
· All volunteers must adhere to the guidelines as stated in the Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program for Schools and Parishes
5) Reporting all incidents
Who must be screened?
All clergy and staff of the Parish and the school
All volunteers who work with minors (under 18) or vulnerable adults (those who for reasons of mental or physical impairment cannot recognize danger or if they do, cannot extract themselves from a dangerous situation
Safe Environment at Holy Trinity