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 and the vulnerable.   As they participate in activities within or sponsored by St. Francis or our Diocese, it is our responsibility and commitment to provide an environment that is safe, secure and nurturing.   The purpose of this program is to create that environment for the children and vulnerable who come to St. Francis to participate in our activities.  This program will reduce the risk of abuse or neglect of any kind by evaluating each person’s suitability to work with our parish family.    All volunteers who represent St. Francis outside of our facility also complete this program.   This gives community members assurances that the volunteers who represent St. Francis have been properly cleared.   The greatest benefit of this program is creating a group of volunteers who know what to look for and how to protect our vulnerable.   This deters people with the wrong intentions from volunteering in our Catholic community.  

Volunteers serving with our youth and vulnerable adults must observe all required Safe Environment screening procedures before participating in any of the ministries requiring Safe Environment clearance.   Once a volunteer is cleared at St. Francis through the Safe Environment program, he/she is cleared throughout the whole diocese and can volunteer in all ministries without having to repeat the Safe Environment New Volunteer process again.

If you have recently moved to St. Francis from another parish in the Diocese of Dallas, your Safe Environment documentation can be transferred to St. Francis.   Any Safe Environment Training/requirements completed outside the Diocese of Dallas will not transfer.   This ensures that all volunteers in the Diocese of Dallas receive the same basic Safe Environment instruction.   Contact the Safety Officer, Ginny Milich gmilich@stfoafrisco.org or 972-712-2645 ext. 228, to see what can transfer.   Many times an interview with the Safety Officer is still required to help you better understand our parish and make your transition easier.    

 

Safe Environment clearance is required to volunteer in the following Ministries:

 

Please complete the Online Screening Intake Form by accessing the URL below:

CLICK HERE FOR DIOCESAN SCREENING INTAKE FORM

The Diocese requires all volunteers complete Safe Environment training once every 12 months to retain the "cleared" volunteer status through the Safe Environment program.   The date on your Safe Environment Clearance Badge identifies the month/year your yearly training needs to be completed to continue to volunteer at St. Francis.   In order to satisfy your training renewal obligation and be considered a "cleared" volunteer at St. Francis, you must complete one of the Safe Environment Training Renewal choices below and send the appropriate documentation to the office, Attention: Ginny Milich - Safe Environment Coordinator, in person, by fax: 972-712-1087 and by mail:

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community

8000 Eldorado Pkwy

Frisco, TX 75034

• Several Ministries set aside time during their fall meetings to complete this training as a group.   This is something I highly recommend.   Check to see if your Ministry Lead has scheduled time in your next meeting for Safe Environment yearly training renewal.   If this is something you would like to pursue, have your Ministry Lead contact the office.                                                                                                                   

• Attend one of the following classes:

  • CLASS NAME:   FOF New Volunteer Class
    • Watch the 25 minute FOF New Volunteer Training video again will satisfy the retraining requirement.   It is not necessary to stay for the entire class.   Please identify yourself as a current volunteer when entering the classroom.   A Training Renewal Class Signature Form will be given to you to complete and turn in after the video is finished instead of the New Volunteer packet.          

    • When:   See New Volunteer Class list above

   

  • CLASS NAME: Safe Environment Training Renewal Class

    • Virtus created a 25-minute follow-up yearly  training renewal program called “Keeping the   Promise Alive”  to complement the New Volunteer Training.  

    • When: Sun 10/11 at 1 pm in English, Sun 10/11 at 2:30 pm in Spanish, Mon 10/19 at 7 pm in Spanish and English, Wed 10/21 at 7 pm in English, Thurs 10/22 at 1 pm in English, Wed 10/28 at 9:30 am in English

 

• ”Caring for the Elderly” Printed Material

Read the “Caring for the Elderly” printed material.   Complete the Training Renewal Option 1 Signature Form.   The Training Renewal Option 1 Signature Form is the last page of the Option 1 “Caring for the Elderly” printed document.   Printed Copies in English (Spanish to follow) are available in the office, KDO workrooms and on the green table near the Stewardship Cart.   Return the Training Renewal Option 1 Signature Form to the office.

 

CLICK HERE FOR Option 1 -- "Caring for the Elderly" Printed Material

 

 

·  “What Can we do about Child Abuse?” Printed Material

 

Read the “What Can We Do About Child Abuse?” printed Material.   Complete the Training Renewal Option 2 Signature Form.   The Training Renewal Option 2 Signature Form is the last page of the Option 2 “What can we do about Child Abuse?” printed document.   Printed Copies in English (Spanish to follow) are available in the office, KDO workrooms and on the green table near the Stewardship Cart.   Return the Training Renewal Option 2 Signature Form to the office.

 

CLICK HERE FOR Option 2 -- "What can we do about Child Abuse?" Printed Material

 

 

·  Online Training Seminar

 

Online Seminars are available on the www.churchlawtoday.com  website.   Review the directions below to access the website.   Printed copies are also available in the office, KDO workrooms and on the green table near the Stewardship Cart.   You MUST complete ALL lessons under at least ONE seminar in order to receive training credit!    Print the "comprehensive self-evaluation" from the online course and fill in your answers as you complete the test online.   Attach and return your completed evaluation and the Training Renewal Option 3 Signature Form to the office.   The Training Renewal Option 3 Signature Form is the last page of the document below.
 

CLICK HERE FOR Option 3 -- Online Training Seminar Directions and Signature Form

 

 

• Occupational Training

Many volunteers have professions or outside interests where child or adult protection training is provided.   This will satisfy your yearly Safe Environment training obligation.   The training should review the types of abuse, prevention measures, recognizing abuse, responding to suspicions, or reporting requirements to be accepted.   Proof of attendance with the class date and a detailed summary of the class identifying one of the topics above must be attached to the Training Renewal Option 4 Signature Form and submitted to the Safe Environment Coordinator for approval.   This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.   Contact Ginny Milich at gmilich@stfoafrisco.org  or 972-712-2645 ext.228 with the appropriate documentation. 
 

CLICK HERE FOR Option 4 -- Occupational Training Signature Form

 

Thank you for your attention to the program.   Contact Ginny Milich at 972-712-2645 ext 228 or  gmilich@stfoafrisco.org with any questions.