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Mandatory Forms and Training
Circle of Grace Report Form Due 5/1 Annually
Circle of Grace
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Safe Environment Parish Resources
The Diocese of Baker is committed to promoting a safe environment for all children and young people in our care. Please click here for the Parish Guidelines as designated by the Diocese of Baker.
ADULT TRAINING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS - WHO IS REQUIRED:
Must complete prior to employment or volunteering.Safe Environment and Ministerial Requirement is required for all clergy, religious communities, lay employees, adults, and volunteers ages 18 and older who would like to be involved in:
Catholic Schools, Children’s R.E., Youth Ministry, Vacation Bible School; Camps or Retreats as Helpers/ Teacher’s Aids, Team Leaders, and Chaperones; Sacristans if regularly working with altar servers under the age of 18 and instituted Liturgical Ministers (Acolytes/Lectors instituted by the bishop as a permanent office) and adults who have a public role in the liturgy (Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.)
HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR CERTIFICATION https://Baker.cmgconnect.orgThe Diocese of Baker uses a single online platform called Safe Environment (CMG Connect) for all adult training components. —Videos, Code of Conduct, Internet Best Practices, Background Checks (Selection.com). Once you log in the system will walk you through the required trainings, forms, and certification. In addition to the above training, all clergy and religious order members (permanent, temporary, and international) will have a letter of suitability from their home diocese or order on file with the Diocese of Baker Pastoral Office.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO RENEW MY SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING AND BACKGROUND CHECK?
Diocesan policy states that recertification of safe environment training and background checks occur every five years. In addition to renewal, quarterly background screenings are performed on all vetted data base members through Selection.com. These quarterly checks ensure that any new concerns are communicated to the Diocese of Baker for review on continued suitability.Pursuant to the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocese of Baker commits itself to the following responsibilities.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN I AM APPROVED FOR EMPLOYMENT OR VOLUNTEER SERVICES?
Once your background check is processed, the office for the Protection of God's Children will receive notification. This process can take up to two weeks. If your criminal history report comes back clear your certification is approved and your parish / school location is notified of your approval. If your background report turns up a criminal record, the charges are reviewed by the Safe Environment Coordinator and the Vicar General of the Diocese of Baker. A confidential letter is sent to applicants' pastor for consultation with the individual and notification of the final decision regarding acceptance. The Catholic Mutual data base will denote if not approved and notes can be added to the certification field if limitations are imposed.
Bishop Cary’s letter to Priests, Principals and Directors of Religious Education November 2020
1. The Diocese will see to it that all clergy, diocesan, parish and parish school employees, and all volunteers who work with minors or vulnerable persons complete the below requirements every five years:To ensure respect for the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children, the following Pastoral Guidelines are to be followed throughout the diocese. These guidelines govern three possible scenarios for parental involvement in the Circle of Grace training.- Catholic Mutual Safe Environment Videos;
- Review and electronically sign the Code of Conduct;
- Review and agree to the Diocesan Internet Policies and Best Practices;
- Undergo a criminal background check which includes quarterly watch reports.
2. The Diocese will see to it that all volunteers who work even once with minors undergo a criminal background check and Catholic Mutual Safe Environment Training.
3. The Diocese will see to it that parish school teachers and religious education catechists are trained to teach the Circle of Grace program through the 12th grade.
4. The Diocese will see to it that all teachers and catechists teach the mandatory Circle of Grace lessons to their students each year.
5. The Diocese will see to it that parishes and schools inform parents well in advance of the dates when the Circle of Grace lessons will be taught to their children and strongly encourage parents to attend the parent training sessions that must be offered each year.
6. The Diocese will see to it that parishes and schools offer parents forms with which they may opt out in writing if they do not wish their children to participate in the Circle of Grace lessons.
1. Parents attend the parent's training session, and their children receive the Circle of Grace lessons as part of the normal school or religious education schedule.
2. Parents decline to have their children participate by filling out the Diocese of Baker “Opt Out” form. From this decision two consequences follow:- The school principal or the pastor provides the parents with Circle of Grace lesson materials and invites them to present them to their children at home.
- Their children do not attend the classes when the Circle of Grace training is given.
3. Parents do not attend and do not fill out an "opt out" form. Since parents have been informed of and invited to the parents’ training session, their non-response is presumed to mean that they wish their children to receive the Circle of Grace classes as part of the normal school or religious education schedule.