Safe Environment Training Plan

The Diocese of Saint Cloud aims to provide safe environments for everyone by supporting healthy families, strong communities and healing ministry. We strive to work in compliance with the mandated Safe Environment policies, and have developed a very direct sexual misconduct policy. We have invested in a Safe Environment training program that parishes, staff and volunteers are required to complete annually (see below). We remain committed to providing for the safety of children and young people in the church.

If you need to report abuse, learn more.

To hear about the safety videos we produced here in the Diocese of Saint Cloud, learn more.

2011-2012 Training Plan

In response to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the commitment of Bishop John F. Kinney to encourage safe environments and atmospheres in all parishes and programs, the following plan has been established for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Safe Environment Contact Persons

Each parish identifies a designated safe environment contact person. That person must ensure that all the documentation for parish compliance is complete and submitted to the diocese by May 15, 2012. Parish compliance report: Excel

Personnel and Volunteers

New paid staff and new volunteers must complete a criminal background check.

~ Paid staff: (Instructions) Form A - Paid Staff
~ New volunteers: (Instructions) Form B - Volunteers

Beginning July 1, 2012, background checks will be conducted every 5 years.

All staff and volunteers must:

1. Read and sign the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy:

2. Read and sign the Ethics and Integrity Guidelines.
3. Watch “Katie’s Story for Parents.”
4. Complete the questionnaire. Present a copy of the questionnaire to the parish safe environment contact person.

Students

Students in Catholic Schools and Parish Faith Formation Programs must participate in annual training.

Grades K-2: “What Tadoo”

Grades 3-6: “Time to Tell”

Grades 7-12: “Call to Protect

These videos or DVDs have questions inside to aid in the discussion. Discussion is an important part of this training.

Parishes must submit the Training Form with their compliance report. (The Declination Form is only for parents who decline use of this training for their children.)

Parents

Parents are encouraged to view the DVDs that are assigned for the current year. Parishes should notify parents when safe environment training is being planned and welcome them to view the material prior to its presentation or to be in attendance when the material is shared.