Safeguard the Children/Virtus Training
Maximizing a school's role as a child-safe environment begins with making adults more aware of the ways children and adults interact with each other. The Virtus -- Protecting God's Children program educates and trains adults (clergy, religious, teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents) about the dangers of abuse, the warning signs of abuse, and responding to allegations of abuse.
All VIRTUS training programs, including Protecting God's Children programs, are comprehensive and multi-dimensional -- incorporating proven best-practice standards for the prevention of child sexual abuse by clergy, staff, volunteers, and others who interact with children within the school and church environment. The Virtus training programs incorporate instructor-led training, train-the-facilitator education, awareness videos, and ongoing web-based training through regular online training bulletins and training modules via the VIRTUS online system.
It is mandatory that any adult acting in a volunteer position in the Archdiocese and at Our Lady of Grace School or Parish must be trained in the Virtus -- Protecting God's Children training program. The initial three-hour class must be completed before volunteering in any capacity at the school. We ask that you attend a Virtus class as soon as possible after your child has been enrolled. The class is very informational, and many parents comment on how valuable they feel the class is.
Upon completion of the Virtus -- Protecting God's Children class you will receive a "Certificate of Training Attendance". This is your proof that you attended a class. Please make a copy of the certificate and submit it to the school office, where it will be kept on file for our records. Keep the original certificate for your own records.
Once you have completed the initial three-hour Virtus class your certification is valid for four years. You must get re-certified before your certification expires. The re-certification class -- Virtus - Keeping the Promise Alive -- is a one and a half hour "refresher" course.
To locate where a Virtus class is being conducted near you, please click on the following link and follow the instructions.
How to Locate a Virtus Class
If you have any questions about Virtus requirements, please contact the school office at 818-344-4126, ext. 330.
Thank you for commitment to help protect the children!
All VIRTUS training programs, including Protecting God's Children programs, are comprehensive and multi-dimensional -- incorporating proven best-practice standards for the prevention of child sexual abuse by clergy, staff, volunteers, and others who interact with children within the school and church environment. The Virtus training programs incorporate instructor-led training, train-the-facilitator education, awareness videos, and ongoing web-based training through regular online training bulletins and training modules via the VIRTUS online system.
It is mandatory that any adult acting in a volunteer position in the Archdiocese and at Our Lady of Grace School or Parish must be trained in the Virtus -- Protecting God's Children training program. The initial three-hour class must be completed before volunteering in any capacity at the school. We ask that you attend a Virtus class as soon as possible after your child has been enrolled. The class is very informational, and many parents comment on how valuable they feel the class is.
Upon completion of the Virtus -- Protecting God's Children class you will receive a "Certificate of Training Attendance". This is your proof that you attended a class. Please make a copy of the certificate and submit it to the school office, where it will be kept on file for our records. Keep the original certificate for your own records.
Once you have completed the initial three-hour Virtus class your certification is valid for four years. You must get re-certified before your certification expires. The re-certification class -- Virtus - Keeping the Promise Alive -- is a one and a half hour "refresher" course.
To locate where a Virtus class is being conducted near you, please click on the following link and follow the instructions.
How to Locate a Virtus Class
If you have any questions about Virtus requirements, please contact the school office at 818-344-4126, ext. 330.
Thank you for commitment to help protect the children!