LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER AT ST. JOSEPH? 

Who needs to complete the Archdiocese Safe Environment Screening and Training

• All Archdiocesan employees, whether working around children or not
• All volunteers who have contact with children/youth  and could be perceived as an adult in charge and/or all volunteers in ministries serving vulnerable adults.
• Volunteers between the ages of 16 – 18 who volunteer in environments and activities that may include other children. Children under the age of 16 should never be given the responsibility or perceived to be the adult in charge and should always be supervised by an adult who has been screened and trained. Therefore, they should not attend the Protecting God’s Children workshop. For those volunteers under the age of 18, a Parental Permission Form is required and we encourage a parent/guardian attend the same session. You can find the permission form here: : https://archkck.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/permission-slip-for-under-18b.pdf

What do I have to do before volunteering?

The following three requirements must be completed prior to an employee or volunteer start date:

What are the requirements?

The following three requirements must be completed prior to an employee or volunteer start date:

1. 1. Complete a Background Screening:  This is done by an archdiocesan-approved agency and provides a criminal history. This is an important step to screen for a criminal history that might present a danger to children, youth and vulnerable adults. Background screenings are initiated and processed online through the participant’s Virtus® account. There is no cost to you. This is required every 3 years for employees and every 5 years for volunteers.
   2. Acknowledge the relevant Archdiocesan Codes and Policies :This step helps ensure that people ministering to our vulnerable understand and agree with our shared principles and standards. The Abuse Prevention Policy and the Acknowledgement is currently signed in conjunction with the background screening process online.
   3. Complete a Protecting God’s Children for Adults live training class: This training is a live three hour workshop which better equips adults to protect the vulnerable. Sessions are offered throughout the year and at various locations across the Archdiocese.  We host a live training class at St. Joseph periodically throughout the year -You are not required to attend a session at St. Joseph and are encouraged to choose a session that is convenient for you to date, time, and location.   Please Register at http://www.virtusonline.org to find the most up to date list of upcoming sessions.  Pre-registration online is a requirement before attending the class.  Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early as NO late admittance will be allowed. *Depending on your level of involvement there may be ongoing monthly training bulletins that are required as well.  This is a  requirement for all Archdiocesan employees. 

 To get registered for a class and submit your online background check please click on the link below : Please note that this must be done on a computer and NOT a mobile device including iPads and tablets. 

https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/index.cfm?

VIRTUS PRE-REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

Questions please reach out to your local Safe Environment Coordinator- Stephanie Hoffman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or

913-248-4560. 

Interested in becoming a Virtus facilitator?  

* The office for Protection and Care are seeking individuals who would like to be trained as a Virtus facilitator please see the role description below and if interested 

reach out to Stephanie Hoffman at the Parish office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 913-248-4560. *

    Virtus Protecting God’s Children® Facilitator Role Description

                           Office for Protection and Care

                     Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Position Summary

The Facilitator serves as an extension of the Office for Protection and Care for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas with the ministry of protection of children, youth and vulnerable adults. This position facilitates small and large group workshops as specified by VIRTUS® at the direction of the Archdiocese. The Facilitator represents the Archdiocese in this important volunteer ministry and is a resource on the topic of child sexual abuse. The Facilitator communicates the importance of caring adults in the prevention of child sexual abuse.

Essential Duties

1. Provide Protecting God’s Children® workshops within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas utilizing prepared materials as specified by VIRTUS® and the Archdiocese. An awareness session takes between two and a half (2 ½) to four (4) hours to present depending on the amount of time to set up the presentation, any additional material provided during the session and the number of questions.  A typical session takes approximately (3) hours. 
2. Comply with all of the policies and procedural guidelines from the Office of Child and Youth Protection.
3. Utilize the library of VIRTUS® resources and the VIRTUS® database to schedule sessions, manage registrations, and print sign-in sheets and other materials.
4. Provide the Office of Child and Youth Protection with legible copies of all sign-in sheets immediately following the completion of each workshop.
5. Participate in ongoing safety education through the monthly bulletins provided by VIRTUS® and through other materials available from the Office of Child and Youth Protection.
6. Participate in diocesan facilitator updates to remain current and meet expectations.
7. Schedule and offer to deliver at least two workshops per year.
8. Offer appropriate referrals to those seeking healing from sexual abuse.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to engage participants to speak freely
• Patience and empathy for the participants and their issues, questions and concerns
• Ability to provide a steady, professional demeanor throughout the session
• Effective presentation skills
• Dedication to the mission of the protection of children and vulnerable adults; candidates definitely do not need to be professionals in the field of child sexual abuse. Virtus Facilitators are trained to present the Virtus Program which identifies the warning signs of possible perpetrators of child sexual abuse and educates all adults on how to create a safe environment for the children in their care
• Ability to speak comfortably about the topic of child sexual abuse
• Willingness to learn the objectives of facilitation in relation to the program
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and focused on program objectives
• Confidence in facilitating groups and engaging them in discussion
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with confidentiality, empathy, and compassion
• Computer skills sufficient to communicate effectively via email and to work with the VIRTUS® database and other web-based diocesan materials
• Ability to use audiovisual equipment or demonstration of a willingness to learn

Requirements

• Successful completion of a Protecting God’s Children® workshop
• 18 years of age or older
• Successful completion of a background screening
• Completion of the Facilitator Candidate Application
• Recommended by pastor or a priest who knows the candidate personally
• Attendance at the two-day Train-the-Facilitator training provided by the Archdiocese
• Commitment to participation in diocesan facilitator updates and ongoing safety education through VIRTUS®
• Commitment to schedule and offer to deliver at least two workshops per year

Permission slip for those under 18

Virtus Facilitator application

REPORT ABUSE