Safe Environment Training Information

Important Announcement - NEW VIRTUS TRAINING: Protecting God's Children from Maltreatment 4.1

The Diocese of San Jose is excited to partner with VIRTUS to announce an updated safe environment training. Beginning January 1, 2025, VIRTUS will replace the existing training course, Protecting God’s Children 3.2, with an updated course, Protecting God’s Children from Maltreatment 4.1. The update does not require action from diocesan personnel.  New VIRTUS users will see the updated course when they register beginning January 1, 2025.  Existing VIRTUS users will see the updated course at their three-year renewal beginning January 1, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why is the Diocese of San Jose adapting a new safe environment training?
A: The updated training Protecting God’s Children from Maltreatment 4.1  has incorporated many improvements and new information, including:

+ Updated 5 steps and information about How to Better Protect all God’s Children and Youth
+ New story of adult survivor
+ New story of minor survivor
+ New story of survivor of child physical abuse and emotional abuse (this is unique to Maltreatment 4.1!)
+ Expanded behavioral indicators of the different types of child maltreatment.
+ Updated visuals and added graphic text throughout.

Q: What actions are required from parish and school personnel to support updated training?
A: No action required! The VIRTUS platform will automatically assign the updated training to new and existing VIRTUS users beginning January 1, 2025.  New VIRTUS users will see the updated course when they register beginning January 1st.  Existing VIRTUS users will see the updated course at their three-year renewal beginning January 1, 2025.

Q: Does the old training version, Protecting God’s Children 3.2, still satisfy diocesan safe environment training requirement?
A: Yes! Protecting God’s Children 3.2 trainings completed prior to January 1, 2025, will satisfy diocesan safe environment requirements through their three-year renewal.  Once existing VIRTUS users are due to renew, they will complete the updated Protecting God’s Children from Maltreatment 4.1 training.

Course Description- Protecting God’s Children from Maltreatment Session 4.1

This module educates adults on how to become better protectors of children from all types of child maltreatment, including physical abuse, emotional / verbal abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The program has video excerpts from the videos of A Time to Protect God’s Children™ and A Plan to Protect God’s Children™ surrounded by other compelling video content. Viewers become aware of the context and issues surrounding child abuse, methods and means by which offenders harm youth, and the ways in which abuse affects victims and the entire community. Participants are also empowered with action items and five easy steps to prevent and best respond to each type of child maltreatment, including information on communicating concerns and reporting. Time investment: approx. 50 minutes. Available in English and Spanish.

Clergy, Employees & Adult Volunteers

Safe Environment Training is mandatory for diocesan clergy, employees and active volunteers working with youth or vulnerable adults.  Safe Environment Training must be completed during the employee onboarding process or prior to volunteer participation. Training must be renewed every three (3) years thereafter for all clergy, employees and active volunteers. The VIRTUS® online training course – Protecting God’s Children – provides flexible accessibility and is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean languages. Volunteers and employees who serve in Homebound Ministries, bringing the Eucharist to the sick, or serve with vulnerable adults are required to take the combined training course – Protecting God’s Children & Vulnerable Adults – which incorporates the Protecting God’s Children training material. Online training is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean languages. Training Website: www.virtusonline.org

High School Student Volunteers (Teen Volunteers Ages 13 – 18)

Youth between the ages of 13 up to their 18 birthday, must complete the VIRTUS® online training course, Healthy Relationships For Teens 2.0, for employment or volunteer service eligibility. Training must be renewed every 2 years to maintain eligibility up to 18 years of age. Once the teen reaches 18 years of age, they are required to take the adult training programs in order to continue their service.
Training Website: www.virtusonline.org | Registration Instructions

Safe Environment Training Materials

Safe Environment training material for children in diocesan schools or parish faith formation programs can be accessed on the VIRTUS® Resources for Teachers & Catechist web page.