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. Milton Ryan, C.M.
Pastor

MinistrySafe Online Training for New and Returning Volunteers:
The Diocesan Safe Environment Department introduced a new online training program MinistrySafe. This allows all volunteers to complete their training from home.

For Returning Volunteers:

1. Go to https://dallas.setanet.org/
2. Click on “My Obligations” (Do NOT click on “Screening Form”)
3. Please enter your information (If you have trouble logging in please contact Erin Cooper at [email protected].)
4. Verify your personal information, update your address or phone number if needed.
5. If you do not have an email address listed you will be required to enter an email address – you must provide an email address before you can begin the MinistrySafe training.
6. Select the training “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training” (MinistrySafe)
7. You must view 9 videos and complete a 25 question quiz as part of the training.
8. The database will notify me when you complete the training but you can email me a copy of your certificate. Also please keep the certificate for your records.
9. The training takes approximately 2 hours.

For NewVolunteers:

1. Go to https://dallas.setanet.org/
2. Complete the Online Screening Form 
3. Click on “My Obligations”
4. Verify your personal information, update your address or phone number if needed.
5. If you do not have an email address listed you will be required to enter an email address – you must provide an email address before you can begin the MinistrySafe training.
6. Select the training “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training” (MinistrySafe)
7. You must view 9 videos and complete a 25 question quiz as part of the training.
8. The database will notify me when you complete the training but you can email me a copy of your certificate. Also please keep the certificate for your records.
9. The training takes approximately 2 hours.

          
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 Judith Rodriguez at 214-526-8555 or   [email protected]. 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 online  screening form.  Contact the Safe Environment Coordinator if you have questions.

Online Training
If you are fulfilling the annual retraining, visit https://dallas.setanet.org/. Choose My Obligations. View the videos and complete the questions. Submit the certificate of completion to the Safe Environment Coordinator 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

 

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE: A person having cause to believe that a minor’s or vulnerable adult’s physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person must immediately make a report to:

Texas Dept. of Family & Protective Services –Hotline: 1-800-252-5400 by secure website: www.txabusehotline.org or in emergency to the appropriate police authority,usually by calling 911.

Individuals with knowledge about violations of Diocesan policy should call the Chancellor or the Safe Environment Director of the Diocese at 214-528-2240, or they may write to them at the Diocese of Dallas, P.O. Box 190507, Dallas, TX 75219.