Volunteers working with children, vulnerable adults and as Ushers CANNOT serve if you are not Safe Environment cleared.
 

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church follows the Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Protocol.  This program is designed to protect the youth, elderly, and vulnerable adults of our parish who participate in activities within our community. 

God entrusts us with the spiritual, emotional, and physical well being of minors and vulnerable adults.  As they participate in activities within or sponsored by our Parish or Diocese, it is our responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and nurturing.
 

The Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment program has been adopted to:

1. Provide a safe and secure environment for the minors and vulnerable adults in our faith community.

2. Reduce the possibility of false accusations against clergy, employees, and volunteers. 

3. Provide a structure for evaluating a person's suitability to work with minors or vulnerable adults.

4. Provide a system to respond to the victim and his/her family as well as the accused.

Volunteers who need to renew training requirement must do the following:   

1. Access the following link from a computer: Training Class Annual Renewal

2. Search for for your information by entering your name and address used when you first completed your safe environment screening. DO NOT create another profile, since this causes duplication of files.   

3. Update your contact information if it has changed. If you have an EMAIL address now would be the time to add it. CLICK “Update Information and Continue”.
4. At the top of the screen, click on "Classes available to take online."
   • Click on the MINISTRYSAFE video in the languague you prefer.

New Employees and New Volunteers who will work with children, vulnerable adults and as Ushers:

1. First contact the lead coordinator/Parish Business Manager where you intend to serve/work.
2. You must complete the Safe Environment Screening Form online at Screening Form Read all forms and check-off that you have read them. 

3. You will be asked to provide 3 references along with their email addresses. You cannot use relatives, only acquaintances and co-workers.   

4. Next, click on the follwing link: Safe Environment Training Class

5. Search for your profile by entering your name and address as you entered for your screening. 
   • At the top of the screen, click on "Classes available to take online."
   • Choose the MINISTRYSAFE training video in the language you prefer.
6. The Safe Environment Coordinator will contact your references & run a background check and a schedule a phone interview.

 We will notify you when the process has been completed.  

If you believe that you, or someone you know, is a victim of past or present abuse or sexual abuse, please notify law enforcement.  In the event the abuse involves a minor, please also contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services through the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or www.txabusehotline.org).  Finally, if the abuse involves a member of the clergy, a parish employee, or diocesan employee, please also notify the Diocese of Dallas Victims Assistance Coordinator, Brenda Martinez, at 214-379-2808 or bmartinez@cathdal.org