By S.L. Hansen
for the Register
In January 2025, all safe environment certified people in the Diocese of Lincoln will renew their certification by watching a training video and answering questions.
Previously, this recertification would happen on the anniversary date of when each person initially trained in safe environment policies. Now, recertification will happen annually each January for all employees, volunteers, teachers, priests, religious and others who are required to have this certification.
“The goal of this effort is to streamline the process and make it easier for local site administrators to ensure safe environment compliance at every institution,” said Jeff Hohlen, safe environment director and victims assistance coordinator for the Diocese of Lincoln. He is leading this policy modification along with diocesan Human Resources Director Marsha Bartek, and diocesan General Counsel Andrew Pease.
“The safe environment training renewal provides an annual training for all clergy, religious, lay employees, and volunteers who are in contact with youth to ensure everyone understands safe boundaries with youth, how to detect abuse, and how to report concerns involving the safety of youth,” Hohlen explained.
This renewal is a critical step toward keeping youth and vulnerable adults safe in diocesan parishes, schools, camps, and other programs. Hohlen said that while each Catholic diocese in the nation has a safe environment program, it’s up to the individual diocese to determine when and how often training occurs.
“Our annual renewal is more frequent than many other institutions, Catholic and non-Catholic,” he noted.
Since he joined the diocesan staff in 2019, after more than a decade on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Force, Hohlen has seen “great progress in the proactive reporting of concerning conduct.”
It has become a regular practice for people to report concerns to Hohlen’s office, and to law enforcement when appropriate. Strong communication between Hohlen and local safe environment site administrators, as well as the leaders of parishes, schools, and ministries has been critical to maintaining the highest standard of protection across the diocese.
Once retraining is completed successfully, the participating employee or volunteer is able to print his or her own certification of completion. Hohlen’s office tracks the number of training and background checks completed annually.
However, Hohlen stressed that the protection of youth and vulnerable adults requires diligence on the part of every adult in the diocese. His belief is that it is better to err on the side of caution and report a concern than to let a possibly harmful situation continue.
“If you have any safe environment concerns, please report it to me,” he entreated. “If you have any concerns about abuse or neglect of a minor or vulnerable adult, it should first be reported to local law enforcement.”
Anyone who is suspicious of child abuse or neglect should call the Nebraska Adult & Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999. To report a concern directly to Jeff Hohlen, call 402-314-2899 or send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For victim’s assistance, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The diocese’s safe environment policies are published on the website and can be viewed by anyone at www.lincolndiocese.org/safe-environment/policies.
“We must always remain vigilant in protecting youth and vulnerable adults,” Hohlen stated.
