Protecting God's Children Awareness for Adults

In the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament and in the Diocese of Bridgeport we have a number of child safety programs and resources in place. All clergy, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, lay employees, volunteers and independent contractors in our diocese are required to clear a criminal background check and attend training on child abuse prevention called VIRTUS. We also have policies and procedures in place for safeguarding children and youth which are included in our Safe Environment Handbook.

These policies comply fully with the requirements of the U.S.C.C.B. Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Safe Environments Participation Procedures

STEP 1. ATTEND VIRTUS PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN LIVE AWARENESS TRAINING ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION. THIS IS REQUIRED BEFORE WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING AND INCLUDES VENDORS, TENANTS & INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS (ages 18+)

 

Begin by pre-registering on-Line at www.virtusonline.org. Select the word REGISTRATION. Select BRIDGEPORT DIOCESE as your organization. Please store the VIRTUS USER ID and PASSWORD that you created in a secure location. This information is necessary for VIRTUS re-certification and background check renewals in the future. 

 

STEP 2. BACKGROUND CHECKS (ages 18+) The criminal background check is part of the online registration through VIRTUS. A background check must be completed before working or volunteering. The M.Y.B. authorization and release form may be found at www.bridgeportdiocese.com under Safe Environments and under the heading Background checks.

 Teaching Safety - Empowering God's Children™


Furthermore the diocese offers training for children. This training is carefully created to be developmentally appropriate. Age specific videos are an integral part of the presentations. Parents will be notified ahead of time whenever this training is scheduled to be offered to their child in a classroom setting. Parents are encouraged to watch the videos and are always offered the choice to opt out of classroom presentation to their children.


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RE-CERTIFICATION Live (In-Person)

RE-CERTIFICATION Live (In-Person) attendance at VIRTUS training is required for all first time applicants. The Criminal Background check and VIRTUS training is renewed online every (5) years for adults who have scheduled contact with children. Adult Volunteers and Independent Contractors who do not have any scheduled contact with children, the renewal is required every (10) years. Annual continuing education opportunities for adults who work with children and vulnerable adults will be listed at www.bridgeportdiocese.com under Safe Environment. Please complete the DCF Mandated Reporting on an annual basis if you work with children.ng page, but if they do, have information here that they can use.

TRANSFER OF RECORDS

If you attended VIRTUS in another diocese within the past (5) years, you must submit proof of attendance to: The Diocese of Bridgeport Office of Safe Environments, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606 and you must call VIRTUS at 1-888-847-8870 to have your record transferred. A criminal background check authorization form and the Executive Summary of the Safe Environment Handbook must be submitted to the school or parish office. Background checks and Policy Receipts may not be transferred.


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