VIRTUS

VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practices programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "rightdoing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church.

As a part of the Archdiocese’ commitment to ensure the safety of our children, the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Program requires that clergy, staff and volunteers (ages 18 and above) who have regular contact with children and youth are required to attend a VIRTUS workshop.

All attendees must have a current Driver’s license (any state), State-issued Identification Card, Passport (any country), Mexico or Guatemala Consulate ID in order to attend a “Protecting God’s Children” Workshop. When pre-registering for the class, YOU MUST USE YOUR NAME and DATE OF BIRTH as it appears on your DL, ID, or Passport. Please pre-register online at www.virtusonline.org

 “Protecting God’s Children” - Preventing child sexual abuse is the goal of the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Office. “Protecting God’s Children’s” is the program selected by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to educate clergy, staff, and volunteers who work with children and youth about child sexual abuse and the ways to create a safe environment for children. The 3-hour live session includes videos and facilitated discussions that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Adults learn how to recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse and to respond appropriately. You will learn about steps that the faith community can take to create a safe environment for all God’s children and how to respond when adults behave in a way that raises concerns.

 “Keeping the Promise Alive” is a mandatory refresher course that went into effect 2011-2012. Employees and volunteers are required to attend “Keeping the Promise Alive” after 5 years of attending the “Protecting God’s Children”® program. It is a 1.5 hour session with one video that provides ongoing awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse. The material covered in “Keeping the Promise Alive” is designed to identify and reinforce the lessons of the original “Protecting God’s Children” program by clarifying some of the more challenging aspects of the sessions and strengthening the participants’ ability to recognize risky behavior by adults in their environments and take action to intervene in potentially threatening situations.

Important note: Please log into your original account created when you attended a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children® workshop. If you do not remember your user id and password, please contact Susan Aguilera Parish Safe Environment Coordinator at 281-367-9885 or via email at AguileraS@ssjwoodlands.com

UPCOMING TRAINING DATES

First time

A “Protecting God’s Children” workshop will be held at Sts. Simon & Jude on the following dates:

Thursday, May 11 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm - Domec Hall

REFRESHER COURSE

Keeping the Promise Alive (1hr)- Thursday, May 18
9:00 am- noon - Room 20

We provide the VIRTUS training at St Simon & Jude as needed, If you need one now go to LEARN MORE for nearest place to attend.

Remember you must be registered to attend. Register now click here.