Protecting God's Children/ VIRTUS

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protecting god's children
- Protecting God's Children
  
  The Archdiocese of Boston is fully committed to preventing the sexual exploitation of minors, and to identifying any instance in which it does occur. To this end, the Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People mandates that all ministers, employees, and volunteers who have meaningful contact with children and young people undergo training in the detection, prevention, and reporting of child abuse. This is done to insure that the children and youth who attend parish and Archdiocesan programs are supervised by a staff that is fully trained to protect them from child abuse.
  
  All employees and volunteers, aged 18 years and older, who work with children, youth, or the elderly in the Archdiocese of Boston are required to participate in the Virtus, Protecting God’s Children program. This one-time workshop aims to educate parish adults in recognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited in some way, offer protective practices with a specific plan to prevent child sexual abuse, and instruct on reporting incidents of abuse.
  
  Due to the current restrictions and health concerns presented by the pandemic, creating an inability to gather together for trainings, this requirement can be met through participation in two online trainings:
  
  VIRTUS online PGC Training
  
  Click on “First Time Registrant”
  
  Click on “Begin the Registration Process”
  
  Select “Boston” from the drop down list of dioceses
  
  Complete the Registration Process
  
  You will be directed to online PCG Training through VIRTUS
  
  Upon completion of that training, individuals will be directed to a link to an additional online training on mandated reporting in Massachusetts. Both online trainings must be completed to be in compliance with child protection requirements.
  
  please submit a copy of your PGC certificate to the parish offices, ATTN Sue Beechin
  
  Mandated Reporter Training
  
  Copies of the mandated reporter certificates should be sent to Vivian Soper at vivian_soper@rcab.org. It is not necessary to submit a copy of the PGC certificate.
  
  Local Upcoming Workshops
  
  From the drop down menu, choose Boston, MA (Archdiocese) and ENTER. Scroll through the offerings until you find one that fits your schedule.
- Annual CORI Background Check
  
  2022 CORI FORM
  
  The FY22 CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) Form will cover volunteer activity taking place from 7/1/2021 to 6/30/2022. Those of you with computer and printer access have the option to download, print and complete the form at home (link to your left). PLEASE DO NOT SIGN, AS YOUR SIGNATURE REQUIRES THE PRESENCE OF A STAFF MEMBER or NOTARY TO SERVE AS YOUR WITNESS. The notary option is made available in the case where you cannot meet either of the following ‘in-person’ options. The CORI Form MUST be verified with a photo ID and CCC staff member/notary witness. We are currently working on ways in which this can be done prior to the Parish Offices being open to the public. Options so far, are stated below.
  
  At the End-of-Year Family Faith Formation Tracking Sheet Drop off on Sunday 6/6/2021 (whether you have Tracking Sheets to drop off or not)
  
  By ZOOM appointments (to be scheduled; directions to follow)
  
  If your only option is a Notary, please not that a Notary will charge a nominal fee for this, not to exceed $1.25 per signature. But you may know someone who won’t charge you.
  
  Code of Conduct
  and Sexual Harassment Policy
  
  Code of Conduct
  Sexual Harrassment Policy
  
  We’re required by the Archdiocese of Boston to receive verification that you have received the Code of Conduct for Volunteers & the Sexual Harassment Policy documents. When the forms are emailed to you, please reply to that message stating that you acknowledge receipt of these documents. CCC staff will print out your message & file it to comply with Archdiocesan guidelines. These forms can be found in the left-had sidebar.