Reminder:

You are welcome to visit the Safe Environment site on line at http://www.owensborodio.org/safe/

Safe Environment Changes

The Diocese of Owensboro has made changes to the Safe Environment program as we approach the 5-year anniversary of this program. St. Ann parish held their first training in November 2003 and everyone who attended that day will need to update soon. Please do not do the new training until mid October. The expiration date of your training is printed on the Diocese of Owensboro card you received in the mail.

The major change is that Safe Environment Training is now an on-line interactive program called "Shield the Vulnerable" This program takes about 60-90 minutes and must be completed within one month after beginning the program. The training is divided into 5 sections and at the end of each you will be asked some questions. If your answer is incorrect it will ask you to try again. When you select the correct answer you will read the reason why it is correct. There is not a test. The Diocese will be paying for this training so they have asked that we wait until the 5 years is almost up before doing the training.

A link for Safe Environment will be on the school web site soon. The Diocese of Owensboro has a link for "Shield the Vulnerable" now. Also, from the Diocese home page you can download the record check forms. Certificates and record check forms should be returned to the school office. There is no fee the Diocese pays the cost. Be sure to list your home parish and the school as places of ministry if you have children or grandchildren at St. Ann School or if you are a school volunteer.

Safe Environment Requirements

All employees and all volunteers who serve, as "chaperones" for school events such as field trips, and field day and all volunteers who work in the cafeteria and in classrooms are required to:

• Complete Safe Environment Training-every 5 years
• Complete background check forms-every 5 years
• Read Summary of Diocesan Sexual policy
• Read and sign Supervisory Adult Code of Conduct

The Safe Environment Training is now an on-line interactive program called "Shield the Vulnerable" This program takes about 90 minutes and must be completed within one month after beginning the program.

Instructions for Shield the Vulnerable

1. Go to www.shieldthevulnerable.org
2. Click "signup/login" button found on this home page
3. Click "signup-first time" button on the menu page
4. Select the Diocese of Owensboro from the list of Dioceses (left side)
5. Click "next" button and confirm
6. Complete the 4 step registration

Step 1. Personal/Login Tab: Create your login user name and password. Complete the requested information. Only one person can be named in the registration. An email is necessary to receive the Monthly Monitor and your login if you forget it. If you do not have an email address, enter no@email.com

Step 2. Diocese Affiliation Tab

• Select who you are: Check all that apply: employee, volunteer, parent
• Select type: parish, school ----(St. Ann Preschool choose school)
• Select location: city…..example Morganfield ……
• Select name: St. Ann School, St. Ann Parish ,……
• Select your primary Job/Position/Activity
• Click "Submit" button when you are done

Step 3. Occupation Tab You must identify what you do. Fill in all the diocesan locations where you minister to youth. Parents and school volunteers be sure to list St. Ann School and all Catholic families should list their home parish.

Step 4. Summary Tab Review your registration information and if it is correct and you "Accept" the license, Click "Confirm Registration"

7. Click "Start" button on My Course page. These 5 topics are in the training:
• What are the different types of abuse and neglect
• How to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect
• How to protect a child who is a victim of abuse
• When and how to make a report under state law
• What are the Diocesan standards of conduct
8. Acknowledge Diocese Policies and print your Certificate of Completion
9. Print copies of Background Check forms, if needed. All first time participants must do this. Submit these forms to St. Ann School-drop off at school, mail to school or put in an envelope-marked school and drop in parish collection baskets.

If you need assistance, please contact Melody Adamson at 389-1898.