Safe Environment Training for Church Personnel
The Diocese of Nashville uses Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect as our Safe Environment management database. CMG manages all our safe environment records, including background checks, and also provides the trainings needed to receive safe environment certification in the diocese.
The Diocese of Nashville is committed to providing the safest possible environment free from sexual abuse for our children and youth to know and encounter Jesus Christ. That means that all employees (including clergy and religious) and any volunteers who wish to minister to minors must be Safe Environment Trained and Background Checked prior to their employment or involvement in a ministry. This is required for all international and temporally assigned priests in addition to a letter of suitability from their religious superior or bishop where they are incardinated.
What do I need to do to get involved?
STEP ONE
Contact the head of the parish ministry you want to get involved in and express your interest.
STEP TWO
go to https://nashville.cmgconnect.org/ and create an account.
Step Three
Complete the Required Diocesan Safe Environment Training
- This includes an hour-long video training designed to help you know and recognize signs and symptoms of sexual abuse.
- This training also includes a national background check that also checks the National Sex Offender Registry.
- Once you are in the system CMG runs a quarterly review of all background checks to and will update as needed.
Step FOUR
Once Your Background Check has been reviewed by your parish and you have no criminal history, you’ll be approved by your parish officially certified and can volunteer with minors.
What do I need to do to remain certified?
All Church Personnel must complete the “Annual Disclosure” in CMG within 30 days of the anniversary of their certification date to serve as a review of Diocese policies and processes as well as new mandatory material to be focused on each year.
Every five years Church Personnel must complete the “Safe Environment Training and Polices – Nashville.” within CMG. This includes a new background check.
Automatic quarterly review of background checks is conducted by CMG.
It is the responsibility of the Parish Safe Environment Coordinator to regularly review these results for potential issues.
Non-completion of the annual disclosure or five-year training will result in disciplinary action for employees, and volunteers will not be permitted to provide services until completed.
