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VIRTUS® Compliance

VIRTUS® Compliance

The Diocese of Green Bay is committed to creating, providing, and maintaining safe environments in all its parishes, schools, and other institutions so that all persons, especially children, youth, and individuals at risk, will be protected as far as possible from all harm including physical and sexual abuse.

What is VIRTUS®?

VIRTUS® is the brand name that identifies best practicesʼ programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote “right doingˮ within religious organizations and to raise awareness regarding sexual abuse in our Church and society. The National Catholic Risk Retention Group Inc. created VIRTUS to empower organizations, people to better control risk, and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church through a continuous process of training and information.

Online VIRTUS® Training

To begin the online registration, please log into www.virtus.org. Please follow the registration instructions listed here.

VIRTUS Online Registration Instructions

La Capacitación en línea de VIRTUS®

Para registrarse, haga clic en este enlace: www.virtus.org. Por favor, siga las instrucciones de registro aquí: Instrucciones de registro - en línea de VIRTUS

Who is required to take VIRTUS® Protecting Godʼs Children Online Training in the Diocese of Green Bay?

All priests, deacons, other ministers, and employees (who may or may not have contact with children, young people, and individuals at risk) and volunteers who have contact with children, young people and individuals at risk as part of their volunteer duties are required to complete the VIRTUS Adult Awareness Training Session.

Background Checks

The Diocese of Green Bay is committed to creating, providing, and maintaining safe environments in all its parishes, schools, and
other institutions so that all persons, especially children, youth, and individuals at risk, will be protected as far as possible from
harm, including physical and sexual abuse.

Who must complete a background check in the Diocese of Green Bay?

All priests, deacons, other ministers, and employees (who may or may not have contact with children, young people, and
individuals at risk) and adult volunteers who have contact with children, young people, and individuals at risk as part of their
volunteer duties are required to complete an online application form in which they:

How do I complete a background check?

Log into www.virtus.org to begin the background check process.

What do I do if I have technical difficulties completing the application?

Please call the parish or school where you work or volunteer. You may also contact the Office of Safe Environment at 920-272-8198 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8198, or email.

How do I complete a background check if I don't have internet access?

Please call the parish or school where you work or volunteer.
You may also contact:
Office of Safe Environment
(920) 272-8198 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8198

Safe Environment Lesson Plans and Resources for Children

September 2016, the Diocese of Green Bay subscribed to VIRTUS® for the following VIRTUS® Lesson Plans to provide a consistent Safe Environment foundation for our children. It is the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and catechists to give our children the awareness and tools they need to overcome anyone who intends to harm them. It is an expectation that all Catholic Schools and Faith Formation programs use the VIRTUS® Lesson plans.

Lesson plans funded by Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay

Quick Links: Lesson Plans | Power to Protect Videos | Standards and Benchmarks | FAQs/Resources

VIRTUS® Lesson Plans by Grade Level

Overview and Founding Principles

English

Spanish

Teaching Safety - Empowering God’s Children Program Overview

Download

Download

Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide

Download

Download

Pre-Kindergarten

English

Spanish

Lesson 1 - Basic Rules for Safety

Download

Download

Lesson 2 - Safe Friends & Safe Adults

Download

Download

Teen Peer Leader

English

Spanish

Healthy Relationships for Teens 2.0 Expansion with Safe Environment

Download

Download (NA)

Grades 3 through 5

English

Spanish

Lesson 1 - Physical Boundaries: Safe and Unsafe Touching Rules

Download

Download

Lesson 2 - Safe Adults: Safe Touches and Special Safe Adults

Download

Download

Lesson 3 - Boundaries: You Have Rights!

Download

Download

Lesson 4 - Secrets, Surprises and Promises

Download

Download

Lesson 5 - Being a Safe Friend

Download

Download

Lesson 6 - Boundaries: Feelings and Facts

Download

Download

Grades 6 through 8

English

Spanish

Lesson 1 - Physical Boundaries: Safe and Unsafe Touching Rules

Download

Download

Lesson 2 - Safe Adults: Safe Touches and Special Safe Adults

Download

Download

Lesson 3 - Boundaries: You Have Rights!

Download

Download

Lesson 4 - Secrets, Surprises and Promises

Download

Download

Lesson 5 - Being a Safe Friend

Download

Download

Lesson 6 - Boundaries: Feelings and Facts

Download

Download

Grades 9 through 12

English

Spanish

Lesson 1 - Physical Boundaries: Safe and Unsafe Touching Rules

Download

Download

Lesson 2 - Safe Adults: Safe Touches and Special Safe Adults

Download

Download

Lesson 3 - Boundaries: You Have Rights!

Download

Download

Lesson 4 - Secrets, Surprises and Promises

Download

Download

Lesson 5 - Being a Safe Friend

Download

Download

Lesson 6 - Boundaries: Feelings and Facts

Download

Download

The Power to Protect 2.0 | El Poder de Proteger 2.0

English

Spanish

Elementary School

Video Link

Video Link

Middle School

Video Link

Video Link

High School

Video Link

Video Link

Standards and Benchmarks

Safe Environment 2020 (271 KB)

PDF

9-11 Safe Environment 2020 (124 KB)

PDF

FAQs

Safe Environment Training for Children (185 KB) 2024-2025

PDF

Resources For Parents and/or Classroom Use

Resources for Children, Youth, and Families (140 KB)

PDF

Opt-Out Parent Form Non-Participation Form (English) (12 KB)

PDF

Opt-Out Parent Form 2020 (Spanish) (12 KB)

PDF

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