Safe Environment – Reminder of VIRTUS Training Online
The Archdiocese of Agana Safe Environment Office is reminding all clergy, current employees, and volunteers to stay up to date with your VIRTUS Training Online by logging in at www.virtus.org. The Archdiocese’s goal is to empower our clergy, employees & volunteers to recognize risky situations and risky behaviors and to report then to appropriate authorities. The consequences of not completing the training and submitting to a background check is, you will not be able to continue in the ministry that has regular ongoing contact with children.
For new registration, please follow the registration guidelines below:
Registration is Easy
The registration process takes about 10-15 minutes online at www.virtusonline.org. You will have to create a username and a password. Click on First Time Registrant. Remember (and record) this information so that you can return to your account after you log off.
During the registration process, you will be asked about your role (for example, educator, employee, or volunteer), and your ministry (for example, catechist, youth facilitator, babysitter).
You will then be asked two questions about how your ministry relates to minors (children under 18 years of age, or adults who lack the use of reason). You have now completed the registration for both the training.
If a background check is required, you will be notified by your parish or school. All that is left for you to do is complete the online training.
Hint!
The registration process will go faster if you prepare beforehand by going online to the archdiocesan website and downloading the following documents:
Safe Environment Program;
Appendix 01 – Interactions and Behavioral Chart;
Appendix 02 Code of Ethics;
Appendix 08 Employment Application (for employees) or 09 Volunteer Application (for volunteers)
These documents can be found at https://aganaarch.org/ on the home page. Click on the “Safe Environment Policies” icon just to the right of the “VIRTUS Online” icon. You will then see a menu of available documents.
The “Safe Environment Program” document is the fourth document down under the heading “Safe Environment Policies.” The appendices are listed in numerical order under the heading “Appendices.”
During the VIRTUS Online registration process, you will be prompted to download and read the above listed documents. Note, that you will see this several consecutive times but for each separate document.
You will also be asked to check the box acknowledging that you have downloaded and read each document. It will be helpful if you have downloaded and read them prior to starting the online registration.
Background Check is Confidential
Do not panic about the background check. It does not look up your credit rating, your driving record, or your medical history. It consists of three parts. It verifies your Social Security Number, checks police and court records for any criminal convictions, and clears you through the sex offender listings.
The results of the background are confidential. You are entitled to a copy. Simply indicate that you want a copy when prompted during the registration process and it will be e-mailed to you.
What if something shows up during the background check?
“I am now 35 years old, but when I was 18 I was picked up for shoplifting.” As long as the matter does not relate to the safety of the children, it will not prevent you from performing your ministry.
How long is the training?
The initial training consists of 13 lessons of about 10-15 minutes each. All renewal trainings are at least 30 minutes. You can complete them all at one sitting, or during as many log-in sessions as you like. Once you complete a lesson, it is saved in the system.
If you log off and come back later, the system will take you to the next uncompleted lesson.
Year 20-21 Teaching Boundaries and Safety Online Module 2.0 Technology Expansion
Year 19-20 Protecting God's Children® Online Maltreatment Awareness Session 3.2
Year 18-19 Keeping the Promise Alive 3.0 (Online & Live Sessions)
Year 17-18 Protecting God’s Children® Online Awareness Session 3.0 (Online & Live sessions)
Supplemental Training - Vulnerable Adults Training Module (required of clergy and recommended for Extraordinary ministers of holy communion bringing communion to the homebound & hospital and in senior care homes.) It is also available to anyone interested.
A little history: The Task Force for protection of children was formed in August 2016. The Office of Safe Environment was established in January 2017. Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes adopted the USCCB Charter in February 2017, Safe Environment Policies went into effect in October 2017, and first VIRTUS training launched on November 17, 2017.
If you have any questions, you may call the Archdiocese Office of Safe Environment at 562-0029/472-6116 or the Episcopal Vicar/Chancellor at 562-0040 or email [email protected].