Safe Environment

What is Safe Environment?


Safe Environment is a program through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati regarding maintaining safe environments filled with safe adults in our youth-focused programs. The requirements of this program are based on the diocese's Decree on Child Protection. (See Below) Anyone who is interested in volunteering for youth programs will need to complete the program first. (See Specifics Below) Please contact one of our Safe Environment Coordinators if you have any questions or need to start your training process.

Decree on Child Protection


The purpose of the Decree is two-fold. It is intended first to prevent the abuse of children and adolescents. Prevention can best be achieved by educating children, clerics, employees, parents, and volunteers about the realities of abuse. It can be aided by the screening of adults who aspire to serve the youth of the Archdiocese and all Archdiocesan Organizations, and through assistance to those who might be inclined toward abuse. The second purpose of the Decree is to provide a system for handling incidents of abuse if they occur. The key elements of this system include reporting the allegation to Civil Authorities, assessing the allegation, caring for the abused individual and his/her family, acting appropriately with regard to the accused person, and attending to the affected local church community.


Our knowledge of child abuse continues to grow, as does our understanding of how to respond appropriately. Therefore, every five years, commencing with the effective date of this Decree, the Review Board of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will evaluate the Decree and its implementation. The Review Board will offer to the Archbishop recommendations for improving this Decree and its implementation.

Our Safe Environment Coordinators


Holy Rosary & St. Patrick

Patti Folk

pfolk@stisidorefamily.org

419-394-5050


Immaculate Conception

Joyce Johnson

jjohnson@stisidorefamily.org

419-586-2370


Our Lady of Guadalupe

Melissa Fent

mfent@stisidorefamily.org

419-586-6648


St. Teresa

Ann Vian

avian@stisidorefamily.org

419-586-6648


Program Details - SafeParish™ 

Every person in a position that requires contact or interaction with youth or vulnerable adults must complete the SafeParish™ edition of Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse training session before they are permitted to work or volunteer within any of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati parishes, schools, or institutions. No one under the age of 18 is permitted to complete the training.  


In addition to completing the training, employees and volunteers must stay current in completing their interactive video-based SafeParish™ quarterly bulletins on Child Protection in order to remain in compliance with the requirements of the Decree on Child Protection. Non-compliance will result in SafeParish™ account non-approval and non-compliant employees and volunteers will no longer be permitted to work with youth or vulnerable adults until compliance is reestablished. Please contact one of our safe environment coordinator with questions regarding your SafeParish™ account or if your account is non-approved due to non-compliance with the decree.


SafeParish™ is a learning management platform that provides a broad array of training, education, information, and programs for Catholic organizations. It is a child and workplace safe environment program specifically designed for Catholic entities. The technological core of SafeParish™ is McCalmon’s proprietary learning management software. McCalmon has more than 100 learning management platforms built from that core. McCalmon also supplies most of the content. McCalmon’s experts research, write, edit, and publish blogs, articles, podcasts, videos, and alerts on SafeParish™. 

Background Checks


A thorough background check is required for all those employed or volunteering to work with youth or vulnerable adults as a cleric, at a parish or school, as an Archdiocesan employee or at an Archdiocesan institution. If you are receiving a paycheck, manual fingerprints and B4 form must also be completed before you are permitted to work with youth or vulnerable adults.


This is a one time requirement for most volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact one of our safe environment coordinators.