Safe Environment

As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of minors and vulnerable adults 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.

In order to achieve the above, the diocese has a Safe Environment Program that implements training, screening, background checks and other procedures that are designed to reduce the risk of sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. Every parish, school and Diocesan agency has the program and each is responsible for program implementation and continuation.

—Diocese of Dallas

Our Lady of the Lake requires all ministry volunteers to be Safe Environment compliant.

As a NEW VOLUNTEER, your obligations are to:

1. Complete a screening form: Safe Environment Screening Form       (Spanish)
   • Please add all ministries you are interested in volunteering or joining.
   • You will be asked to provide contact info for three personal references: first and last name, address and email are needed to complete the screening. (Please alert  your references to expect an email from us in the next few days)
   • The screening form will also ask you to read and acknowledge the Diocese of Dallas Safe Environment Program Policy, Policy on Sexual Misconduct and the Social Media Policy.
2. View a series online training videos and complete a quiz following the final video. The total time commitment to view all videos and complete the quiz is approximately 1 1/2-2 hours. 
3. You will also be interviewed by the coordinator of the ministry you will be volunteering with. 

Once you complete the initial process, you will be required to renew your training annually. Renewal training consists of viewing Diocesan provided on-line training or attending a scheduled training session at our parish, or other Dallas Diocese parish, and submitting all accompanying documentation.

NEW & EXISTING VOLUNTEERS can find on-line training options by logging in here:

My Obligations 
Look here for help if you have any problems with the renewal videos: Help
 

Reporting Abuse

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, Barbara Landregan, at 214-379-2812 or blandregan@cathdal.org

Teen Volunteers (those 6th grade thru 17 years old)

Teen Volunteers need to have both forms below turned in to the safe environment officer before they will be cleared to volunteer.

• Teen Code of Conduct
• Parental Consent/ Release 

Additional Resources

Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services (includes Child Protective Services):
24hr Toll-Free Family Violence Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

Dallas Children's Advocacy Center

State of Texas Registered Sex Offender Database

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, PO Box 190507 Dallas, TX 75219

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Safety Monitor and Incident