ADULT CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING

All adult employees and volunteers who have contact with children must complete Protecting God’s Children (PGC). The training provides education on how to recognize indicators of possible abuse or grooming, how to create safe environments for youth, and how to report your concerns. The training is an in person, 3 hour training that is scheduled at various locations throughout the Archdiocese on a regular basis. To find a training session near you, please visit

https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_0.cfm?theme=0

From the drop-down menu select “Boston, MA (Archdiocese)”. Once you complete your registration you will be able to select a specific upcoming training. Please note that some of the sessions are in languages other than English. This is specified when that is the case.

This training is live and in person only. Online and Zoom options are no longer provided now that we are again able to gather in person.

If you are interested in becoming a Facilitator to be a leader of PGC sessions in your parish or school, please call 617-746-5994 or complete the form at the bottom of this page.

CHILD AND YOUTH SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

All Catholic Schools and Parishes are required to provide annual Safe Environment Training for all youth enrolled in school or religious education classes. This applies to all grades.

Child and youth Safe Environment Training teaches our youth how to:

1. Recognize and avoid risky situations and people
2. What to do if they find themselves in a risky situation
3. Know who they can tell if they have been harmed, are at risk of being harmed, or know someone who has been harmed.

Child and youth Safe Environment Training is SAFETY TRAINING. It is NOT sex education, discussions about sexual identity, discussions about gender identity or discussions about chastity.

Schools and Parishes can choose from 2 separate curriculums:

• Second Step - Child Protection Unit: This curriculum is limited to grades K-5. More information about the curriculum can be found at https://www.secondstep.org/child-protection Please note that the Office of Pastoral Support and Child Protection works only with the Child Protection Unit of the Second Step programs.
• Empowering God’s Children: This curriculum covers lessons for all grades K – 12. Lessons are provided specific to different age groups. More information about the curriculum can be found at www.VIRTUSonline.org For access to curriculums, please contact the Office of Pastoral Support and Child Protection at 617-746-5985.

Parents always have the opportunity to opt their child out of these trainings, though we encourage them to look at the curriculums before they make that decision.

For more information please contact:

Adult Training:

• Vivian Soper – 617-746-5995

Child and Youth Training:

• Deacon Franklin Mejia – 617-746-5981
• Vivian Soper – 617-746-5995