Safe Environment

St. Philip's Parish is committed to following the policies and guidelines of the Diocese of Fort Worth's Safe Environment Program to ensure a culture of safe and respectful conduct in all ministries.  Thank you for assisting us to enhance and protect the dignity and trust of all God's People.

The Safe Environment Program in the Diocese of Fort Worth includes:

• Completion of the Employee or Volunteer Ministry Application Form, including personal references
• Reading and signing the Code of Conduct and Behavior Standards for All Clergy, Religious and Lay Ministers
• Completion of the Safe Environment Awareness class prior to beginning service as a volunteer or staff member in any capacity
• A background evaluation

Employees and volunteers are required to participate in Safe Environment retraining and undergo a new Background evaluation periodically and will be contacted by the Safe Environment Coordinator when this is due.

Read our Code of Conduct.

Safe Environment Awareness training is through Virtus. The initial awareness session is called Protecting God's Children for Adults. When you renew it after two years, the renewal session is called Keeping the Promise Alive for Adults. Classes are scheduled at the diocese office, at St Philip and at parishes throughout the diocese and you may attend any one of these. DUE TO CURRENT DIOCESAN GUIDELINES IN PLACE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY, classes are offered on a more limited basis and may be smaller in size. Listed below are classes at St Philip as well as Zoom online classes facilitated by St Philip. The full diocesan schedule is available on the Virtus web site. 

If you have never attended a Virtus awareness class, Click HERE  to create a Virtus profile and register for a class
entitled  Protecting God's Children for Adults.

ONLINE Initial Class via ZOOM - Protecting God's Children for Adults
   Monday, October 18, 6:30-9:30 PM - Susan Schabel facilitating
LIVE Initial Class - Protecting God's Children for Adults
  *See Virtus website for dates/times at other parishes

CLICK HERE  to log in to your Virtus profile and register for  a Virtus renewal class.

ONLINE Virtus Renewal via ZOOM (ONLY for those who took Virtus two years ago) - Keeping the Promise Alive for Adults
      Wednesday, October 13, 10-11:30 AM - Susan Schabel facilitating
     *See Virtus website for other dates/times
VIRTUS Renewal LIVE class - (ONLY for those who took Virtus two years ago) - Keeping the Promise Alive for Adults
       Monday, October 25, 6:30-8 PM
      *See Virtus website for dates/times at other parishes
NEW VOLUNTEERS: Please complete the fillable Volunteer Ministry Application (below), print and send to Carolyn Ditsworth at the parish office.

Please contact Carolyn if you have any questions.

All  youth volunteers must complete Teen Leadership Training to comply with the Diocesan Safe Environment  Policy. The training is valid for three years. Please contact Carolyn Ditsworth for information.