Protecting God's Children

The Archdiocese of Newark requires that all employees and volunteers participate in the Safe Environment Program, which entails a background screening and an educational workshop on child abuse awareness and prevention.

The process is as follows

• • • 1. Register on Virtus Online (www.virtusonline.org) to sign up for a Protecting God's Children Workshop and to complete the background check. (Registration instructions are below)

      2. After attending the workshop, please complete and return all the following documents to the parish office:

• • • • • • • Your volunteer application - ALL 5 Pages (below)

            • Signed Archdiocesan Code of Ethics (below)

            • The original Protecting God's Children Workshop certificate that you receive from attending the session

3. Once the documents in Step 2 are received, and the background screening is complete, you will receive for your records:

• • • • • • • A letter of approval resulting from the background screening

            • A copy of the certificate of completion for attending the Protecting God's Children workshop.

Note: A re-screening and refresher course are required every five years. An email invitation will be sent at the time of renewal.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Janine Matthews at 732-388-7852, ext. 1

If interested in further information pertaining to the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy, please visit: https://www.rcan.org/offices-and-ministries/child-youth-protection