Safe Environment Program

USCCB Charter Compliant

The Chancery Office oversees the Safe Environment Program, which educates clergy, employees and volunteers in the Diocese of Little Rock on how to prevent child sexual abuse, how to recognize sex offender behaviors, and how to create safe environments for children and young people in our parishes, schools and community. | Training for Adults | Training for Youth | Policies | Tips and Resources | Contact Us | Español

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Safe Environment Training

Training for Adults

As of July 1, 2017, the Diocese of Little Rock uses CMG Connect, a safe environment training program developed by our risk management company, Catholic Mutual Group (CMG). The background check is run based on the information entered into CMG Connect. For the background check, please note that the information you provide online is encrypted and cannot be shared with anyone else, and no paper copies are retained.

Who Must Be Trained?

Only those persons who fall into one of three categories:

• All employees of the diocese, a parish or a school.
• Volunteers with routine contact with minors. This includes only those volunteers who have routine contact with minors as an essential part of their regular volunteering duties.
• Extraordinary ministers of holy Communion for the sick and homebound. (This does not include those only serving at Mass.)

How Do I Get Trained?

Go to CMG Connect, create a new account and start the "Safe Environment Curriculum — Little Rock" online training course. For more information, see Instructions for CMG Connect (PDF).

What If I Have Already Been Trained?

No one who has already done safe environment training and a background check will have to re-do anything at this time. Users who are scheduled for a five-year recertification will be notified how to do that by their parish/school safe environment coordinator. For more information, see Five-Year Renewal Instructions.

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Circle of Grace Training for Youth and Children

All dioceses in the United States are required to provide safe environment training for children and youth. This is not “sex education.” Rather, it is age-appropriate information for children and youth so they can know how to help create safe environments for them, and what to do when they feel that a certain environment is not safe. For our children and youth, our diocese uses Circle of Grace, a program developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha and endorsed by Catholic Mutual Group. For more information about the Circle of Grace program, please contact your local parish or school safe environment coordinator. For more information, see the Circle of Grace brochure.

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Safe Environment Policies

Right-click on a policy below to download it in PDF format. For more information about any of these policies, contact the Chancery Office at (501) 664-0340. E-mail a member of the staff through the staff directory.

Code of Conduct For Church Personnel

This code establishes standard policies and provides guidance for the service of Church personnel, allowing persons of good will to carry out their ministries in relationship with those they serve, including minors, while promoting healthy boundaries, avoiding appearances of impropriety, and weeding out those who would abuse minors, vulnerable persons and others. | (en español)

Policy on Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors

This policy outlines the diocesan response in the event of allegations of sexual abuse of minors directed against anyone acting as an agent of the Diocese of Little Rock. | (en español)

Policy on Sexual Misconduct with Adults

This policy states the obligations of clergy, men and women religious and laity employed by the Diocese of Little Rock as well as the procedures when an allegation of misconduct is made. | (en español)

Registered Sex Offenders Policy For Diocesan Parishes And Schools

To comply with both the civil laws and the Church laws pertaining to the protection of minors, dioceses across the country have enacted formal policies and guidelines on restrictions and limitations to be placed on registered sex offenders. | (en español)

Guidelines and Best Practices for Virtual Classes, Formation and Ministry with Minors

These are not required policies but rather recommended guidelines and best practices for virtual classes in Catholic schools, faith formation and youth ministry with minors. | (en español)

Vetting Policy for Visiting Clergy, Religious and Laity

Our bishop is the chief teacher and shepherd for the Catholic Church in Arkansas. Part of that responsibility is to ensure that visitors from outside our diocese who wish to speak or serve publicly in our Catholic parishes and organizations do so in a manner consistent with Church teaching and in accordance with our safe environment policies. | (en español)

• Vetting Policy for Visiting Clergy, Religious and Laity (PDF)
• Application for Visiting Clergy, Religious or Laity (PDF)
• Testimonial of Suitability for Visiting Clergy, Religious and Laity (PDF)
• Testimonial of Suitability (Fill-in-the-Blank Version)

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Safe Environment Tips and Resources

The following resources are designed to empower adults to keep children safe. For more information, contact the Chancery Office at (501) 664-0340.

• Five Ways to Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse | (en español)
• Keeping Children and Teens Safe Online | (en español)
• Watch for These Warning Signs of Abuse in Minors | (en español)
• Safety Tips for Parents: 25 Ways to Make Kids Safer

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Charter for Protection of Children and Young People

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse. To learn more, see the following from the USCCB:

• Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
• Did You Know?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Key Milestones in Strengthening Child and Youth Protection Within the Church
• Essential Norms