New Volunteer Safe Environment Process

Online New Volunteer Training has been created to help volunteers complete the Safe Environment process a little quicker and easier.    This process requires more communication with the Ministry Lead since the Safe Environment Coordinator may not physically meet with the volunteer using this method.   The following steps must be completed by the volunteer:

1) Screening Intake Form

The URL below will take you to an online screening form.   You must click the submit button at the bottom to submit this form.   You must identify “St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Frisco” in the location info section for the correct Safe Environment Coordinator to be notified when the screening form is submitted.  

The following will be completed by the Safe Environment Coordinator when the screening form is received

Background Check (through Accutrak)

• The Safe Environment Coordinator sends information to Accutrak checking for disqualifying offenses.   The Diocese contracted Accutrak to conduct all the background checks for all schools and parishes throughout the Diocese.   The result of this investigation is returned to the Safe Environment Coordinator.   The volunteer is notified only if there is a discrepancy.   This content is held in the strictest confidence.   Background checks are resubmitted every 2 years for every active volunteer.     

• The information to conduct the references is obtained from the screening form.   There is a 9-question reference form used to conduct references for each volunteer.   A reference must be an acquaintance for at least 3 years.     PROVIDE EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR YOUR REFERENCES.    The questionnaire is mailed to the reference after 2 failed attempts to contact that person by email, then phone.   To make this process smoother, please notify your references they will be contacted by a representative of St. Francis.  

2) Interview

CLICK HERE FOR INTERVIEW FORM

Safe Environment Coordinator or the Ministry Lead must conduct an interview with each volunteer.   The interview should be face-to-face.   You can schedule time with the Ministry Lead or the Safe Environment Coordinator to complete this.   The Safe Environment Coordinator conducts interviews after each New Volunteer training session or by appointment during Office Business hours.   Contact your Ministry Lead or the Safety Officer for a mutually convenient time.

3) Signed Acknowledgement Form

CLICK HERE FOR Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program for Schools and Parishes

CLICK HERE FOR Diocese of Dallas Policy on Sexual Misconduct

“Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program for Schools and Parishes” and "Diocese of Dallas Policy on Sexual Misconduct" must be read and understood by each volunteer and the Acknowledgement Form must be signed and returned to the office.   The acknowledgment form is the last page of the “Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program for Schools and Parishes” document and is also available below.   Only one signed Acknowledgement Form document should be returned.  

CLICK HERE FOR Acknowledgement Form

4) Safe Environment Training

“Family of Faith” New Volunteer Training

All volunteers must complete this class in order to be cleared through Safe Environment.   The purpose is to make sure each volunteer has a base knowledge and understanding of Safe Environment issues.   This one hour class consists of a 25 minute video narrated by Bishop Farrell and additional information presented afterwards.   You must watch this in its entirety.   The New Volunteer Video Training Review must be completed and submitted to satisfy the training portion of the Safe Environment program.   It’s a good idea to print off the review and answer the questions while you watch the online training.  

                   CLICK HERE FOR New Volunteer Video Training Review

                        CLICK HERE TO WATCH Safe Environment Video

5) SAFE ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE BADGE

A Safe Environment Clearance badge is issued to each volunteer when all the Safe Environment requirements have been met.   This badge must be worn at all times when participating in any activities (except Mass) at St. Francis.   A special Usher badge is worn during Mass when all Usher requirements have been satisfied.   St. Francis staff members wear a gold badge identifying their staff status in lieu of the Clearance Badge.   The date on the badge identifies the month/year the annual Safe Environment Training obligation must be completed to retain the “cleared” Safe Environment Status.   A new badge is issued when the yearly training obligation is completed each year.     

In an effort to improve security at St. Francis, Safe Environment badges now have the volunteer’s picture on the badge.   Send a passport type picture (solo picture of your shoulders/head only) in .jpg format (picture must be less than 3 mg to be accepted) to gmilich@stfoafrisco.org .   The Safe Environment clearance badge will be created and mailed as soon as the Safe Environment requirements have been met and the picture is received.       

It is the responsibility of the Volunteer to return the completed Screening Form, New Volunteer Video Training Review and Acknowledgment Form to the Safe Environment Coordinator and schedule the interview with the Safe Environment Coordinator or Ministry Lead.   Send the appropriate documentation to the office:

 Attention: Ginny Milich – Safe Environment Coordinator:

• in person
• by fax: 972-712-1087
• by mail: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community, 8000 El Dorado Pkwy, Frisco TX 75033

 A volunteer is not considered “cleared” at St. Francis until the Safe Environment Coordinator has completed a review of the documentation, conducted the references, interview and the Criminal Background Check.   The Safe Environment Coordinator will send an email to the Ministry lead and volunteer when this process is complete.   A volunteer should not start volunteering until the verification email is received.  

Contact Ginny at 972-712-2645 ext 228 or gmilich@stfoafrisco.org with any questions.

Ginny Milich