Safe Environment

Overview
At the Archdiocese of Omaha, we want the best for our children.  That's why all of our priests, deacons, and employees attend our Safe Environment training – a program designed to help them become even more aware and responsible leaders while fostering a secure, joy-filled atmosphere for our children.

Safe environment training is also required for all volunteers who have regular contact with children and young people in school, religious education, youth ministry, liturgical ministries, vacation bible school, athletics and scouts.  Certification received after initial training or renewal is good for five years.  Volunteer areas involving regular contact with children include:  After School Care – All employees and volunteers; Cafeteria Volunteers; Field Trip Chaperones; Field Day Volunteers; Health Office Volunteers; Kindergarten Round-up Volunteers; Media Center Volunteers; Room Parents; Junior Achievement Volunteers; SPREE Volunteers working with children; Academic/Extra Curricular Coaches.

First Time Training and Certification
First time training and certification requires attendance at a "live" session.  Trainers, individual parishes, deaneries, or schools may schedule training sessions that are open to the public. Sessions run approximately two-and-a-half hours and to receive your certification, you must attend the entire session.  Safe Environment Certification includes a background check and is valid for six years.

Click here for more information on the certification process.  You will first create a Safe Environment account and then have access to a listing of upcoming training dates and sites.

Contact Kelly Anderson (andersonk@svdpomaha.org) for more information on registering for "live" sessions.

Recertification
If your certification is nearing expiration or your certification has lapsed for less than 60 days, you can conveniently get recertified via an online process.  This online recertification program certifies you for another six years.  There is a 60 day grace period from the expiration date during which you may be recertified using this shortened, video recertification process.  After the 60 day grace period, you must start the certification training over from the beginning by attending a live session.

Click here to login for recertification purposes.  Once logged in you will need to go to your Dashboard and complete the "RECERTIFICATION ONLY - Safe Environment" curriculum.  Please note that the online curriculum will take an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

If you do not remember your login credentials, please do not create another account.  Instead, contact school technology coordinator Ray Bentzen (bentzenr@svdpomaha.org); he can assist you with identifying your username and updating your password.  Minimizing the number of accounts for any one individual will make tracking certification status easier going forward.

Certification from Other Dioceses/Agencies
The Archdiocese of Omaha is no longer accepting safe environment type certifications from other Dioceses or agencies (Knights of Columbus, Scouts, etc.).  All employees and volunteers must be certified through the Archdiocesan procedures discussed above.