Safe Environment

All Adults wishing to Volunteer with Children/Youth or participate in Ministry at St. Angela Merici must be current with VIRTUS training.

You may receive VIRTUS Training at any parish in the Archdiocese

This VIRTUS link lists all available workshops.  Click on "First Time Registrant" to see the list.

A list of VIRTUS Training at St. Angela Merici is listed on the left. 

You must register online at VIRTUS prior to attending to reserve your spot.  Register early as these sessions will most likely fill up. (You can attend this workshop at any location in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.) 
 

VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" (PGC) Workshop  

"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.

To view a list of sessions or begin registration click here

To view a list of sessions or begin registration click here

The Protecting God’s Children^® for Adults training educates adults on how to become better protectors of children from child sexual abuse. About an hour and fifteen minutes in length, the program is a truncated version of the live training with video excerpts from the videos of A Time to Protect God’s Children™ and A Plan to Protect God’s Children™ surrounded by other important content. Viewers become aware of the context and issues surrounding child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders offend and the ways in which abuse affects victims, their families, the parish and the community. Participants are also empowered with action items and five easy steps to prevent and best respond to child sexual abuse, addressing warning signs, controlling access, screening, employee and volunteer selection, victim advocacy and reporting. This program is also available in Spanish.

All employees and volunteers must complete the mandatory online second refresher training and submit a new background check as condition of continued ministry and/or continued employment in this Archdiocese.

This online training requirement must be completed within three (3) months from the 5-year KPA anniversary date. If you fail to complete the online training within the 3-month grace period, the VIRTUS system will automatically default your account and require you to attend another live “Protecting God’s Children” workshop.