Safe Environments / VIRTUS

Diocese of Bridgeport Safe Environment Web Site

The 2020 Safe Environment handbook 

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
 

SAFE ENVIRONMENT MESSAGE FROM BISHOP CAGGIANO 2024

Volunteer Information:

Before you can volunteer, you will need to complete/submit the following:

• Completion of Virtus Course (we will need a copy of your Certification Card)
• Completed Background check Authorization (Document Link Below)
• Completed Signature Page (only) of Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy (Document Link Below; Please read and PRINT the last signature page for return to our office).

All volunteers in our parish (lectors, choir members, religious education volunteers, etc.) need to take a free ONE time 2-3 hour SAFE ENVIRONMENTS VIRTUS training course before they can volunteer in our parish. The program is offered all year long at both the Catholic Center in Bridgeport and at all the various Parishes in the Diocese.

If you have already taken this class, please let us know ASAP, so we can verify your status. You do not have to take this class again.

The program lasts about 2-3 hours and is held both during the day or evening, so you can choose a day and time and location that works best into your schedule. We would encourage all new volunteers to take the course as soon as possible so that they can begin their ministries in a timely manner. New volunteers to the Religious Education program are encouraged to take the course over the summer BEFORE classes begin in the fall.

The class is free. To register for the class and find times/day/locations, please go to www.virtusonline.org. On the left side will be a link for REGISTRATION. This link gives you the opportunity to both view the next scheduled sessions and to register for a particular class. When prompted for ‘organization’, scroll to Bridgeport, CT (Diocese). You must register for classes in advance.

Once you have completed the course, you will be issued a Certification Card—if you do not take the class here at St. Catherine of Siena – you will need to give a copy of the card to our Parish Office.

In addition to that card, we will need you to grant authorization for a Background Check and have you sign off on the Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy. Both forms are attached. Please complete the Background Authorization form and return it to the Parish office along with a signed Acknowledgement of Receipts (Page 10 of the Sexual Misconduct Policy).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Parish Office at 203-377-3133 Thanks for taking the time to volunteer!