Safe Environment Awareness

The Diocese of Fort Worth requires that each person who serves the Church or any of the organizations in the Church attends a Safe Environment Awareness Session. The purpose of the sessions is to help the people of the Church become the eyes and ears of the community to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide a safe environment from any form of abuse.  
The Diocese Safe Environment page

For Adults to serve in an organization or ministry in the church each person is required to:
 - Register with Virtus (new ministers will need to provide references) 
 - Agree to follow the Code of Conduct for the Diocese of Fort Worth
 - Need to have a background check (this is done every 5 years)
 - Need to attend a Virtus Safe Environment Awareness Session (every 2 years) 

 Virtus Awareness sessions are interactive sessions that are all in-person. Please create a Virtus profile and sign-up for the session by click here , then click on 'First-Time Registration'.  Once you begin the registration process, you will need to make sure you select Fort Worth Diocese for the organization. Once you have created your profile, you will be able to select a  "Protecting God's Children's" session.  The sessions are three hours long. 

 When renewing your training,  you can attend either the "Protecting God's Children" (PGC),  a "Plan to Protect" (PTP), or a Healthy Boundaries for Lay Adults (HBLA) session. Go to virtusonline.org, to sign up for a session. If you are uncertain which session to take and/or do not remember your username, please ask Renée Bader.  

 Awareness sessions at St. Vincent de Paul:
Monday, September 14th at 6:30 PM - PTP
Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30 PM - PGC
Thursday, October 1st at 1:00 PM - PTP 
Tuesday, October 13th at 1:00 PM - PGC
Monday, October 19th at 6:30 PM - PTP
Thursday, October 29th at 6:30 PM - PGC 

For Teens/youth (11 yrs-13yrs) who serve in a ministry in the church are required to:

- Participate in the Empowering God's Children session in Faith Formation class or Youth Night
- Go through the Volunteer Workbook for ages 11-13 yrs with a parent
- Agree to follow the Code of Conduct for the Diocese of Fort Worth

For Teens/youth (14 yrs -17 yrs)  who serve in a ministry in the church are required to: 
  - Participate in the Empowering God's Children session at Youth Night
 - Attend a Teen Leadership Safe Environment Session
 - Agree to follow the Code of Conduct for the Diocese of Fort Worth

 The Teen Leadership Safe Environment Sessions at St Vincent de Paul for 14-17yrs:

TBA 

 Please contact Renée Bader to register for the Teen Sessions. 

Reporting Abuse or Concerning Behavior

When you see behavior that is concerning and you know it is behavior that does not comply with our Code of Conduct, we need you to report your concern. 
To report a concern, please click on the link below. 
Notice of Concern Report