About
The Catholic Church, the Diocese of Cleveland, and St. Joseph Catholic Church hold the protection of children as one of their highest priorities. To this end, the Diocese of Cleveland adopted a Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse. This policy requires that education and training in the recognition and prevention of sexual abuse towards minor children be given to all adult Diocesan employees and to all volunteers who come in regular contact with children. This program is named VIRTUS. A companion program, Empowering God’s Children, is offered to all children enrolled in a religious education program. All questions regarding our policies should be directed to Dean Robinson, drobinson@sjohio.org, or 440.238.5555.
All reports of suspected abuse should be made to the local police department and the Diocesan Response Service at 216.334.2999. Additionally, your ministry head and pastor should be notified.
Who Needs VIRTUS Training?
All employees and everyone volunteering in a ministry program at St. Joseph Church that involves regular contact with minor children must complete the following VIRTUS requirements. Your ministry head will notify you if this is a requirement of your ministry.
Training Process
- Attend a live VIRTUS training session and read follow-up bulletins.
- When you register online for VIRTUS training, you will create an account with VIRTUS. Additionally, you should register for an online, ongoing background check with Selection.com. The prompts are on the VIRTUS site. All employees and volunteers who work with children must undergo this specific background check, regardless of what your job or volunteer activities elsewhere may require.
- After completing the training, a bulletin will be posted to your VIRTUS account each month for you to read.
- Read the Diocesan Policy for the Safety of Children (2016) and the Diocesan Standards of Conduct (2016)
- Read and sign the two agreement forms: Policy Form for Employees and Volunteers and Standards Form for Employees and Volunteers
- Print copies of the above forms and turn them in to the Main Office of the church. These documents are current as of June 2016; and as such, if you were VIRTUS trained prior to June 2016, you must participate in the mandatory in-service prior to returning the Acknowledgement Forms, available as a PDF below.
Additional Resources
- Diocese ‘Protecting Our Children’ Page
- Diocesan Child Protection Resources
- Parish Information on ‘Empowering God’s Children‘ for children
Contact
- Dean Robinson, 440.238.5555 ext. 102 or drobinson@sjohio.org
