Volunteering at St. Cecilia:
Safe Environment Compliance
GETTING STARTED
The Diocese’s Safe Environment policies can be found here.
Our school is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all students. To maintain the highest standards of safety and security, all volunteers are required to be Safe Environment trained and cleared before participating in any school activities. Protecting our children is our utmost priority, and the Diocese of Dallas has established a comprehensive process to ensure that everyone involved in our school community meets these standards.
Requirements for New Volunteers
All NEW volunteers (meaning, never volunteered and had Safe Environment Training in the Diocese of Dallas) must complete a screening form, found here. Para español, haz clic aquí.
New volunteer walkthrough, click here.
Training Video: New volunteers must watch an informative training video that outlines the principles and practices of maintaining a safe environment for children. This video provides essential knowledge on recognizing and preventing potential risks, as well as understanding the importance of vigilance in safeguarding our students.
In-Person Interview: After completing the training video, new volunteers are required to attend an in-person interview. This step allows us to engage directly with potential volunteers, assess their suitability, and address any questions they may have about their roles and responsibilities.
Character Reference Checks: We conduct thorough character reference checks for all new volunteers. By reaching out to individuals who can vouch for the volunteer's character and reliability, we ensure that those who join our community share our commitment to safety and integrity.
Background Check: A comprehensive background check is mandatory for all new volunteers. This step helps us identify any past behavior that might pose a risk to the safety of our students. The background check must be renewed annually to ensure ongoing compliance with our safety standards.
Requirements for Returning Volunteers
Returning volunteer walkthrough, click here.
Annual Training Renewal: Returning volunteers are required to renew their Safe Environment training each year. This involves watching an updated training video that reflects any changes in policies or procedures and reinforces the importance of maintaining a vigilant and proactive approach to child safety.
Annual Background Check: In addition to renewing their training, returning volunteers must also undergo an annual background check. This ensures that our school remains informed of any changes in the volunteer's history that might impact their ability to safely interact with our students.