Safe Environment Training | VIRTUS Program
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Safe Environment ProgramThe Diocese of Winona is committed to providing safe environments and fostering continuous improvement in every organization that sponsors activities and/or provides services to children and youth. The Diocese intends to create communities of informed adults who model appropriate behavior, are vigilant to the warning signs of abuse and take action to prevent abuse and improve safety. Likewise, the Diocese is determined to ensure that facilities, grounds and procedures promote optimal safety.
The VIRTUS program is designed to help volunteers and employees work together to create safe environments for children and vulnerable adults. While attending a VIRTUS session is part of the safe environment program requirement for volunteers and employees at Catholic parishes and schools, everyone is welcome to attend.
If you plan on volunteering or working in any capacity for the Winona Catholic Churches/Schools VIRTUS training is required. The VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children awareness program is a 2 hour session to help provide a child-safe environment and empowering caring adults to protect children by recognizing the warning signs of sexual abuse and to respond appropriately.
See the bulletin for upcoming VIRTUS sessions in Winona or see the link (VIRTUS Website)
at the right for all session listings in the Diocese and to register online.Thank you for helping us keep our parishes, schools, and communities safe!
If you have any questions or concerns about our program, please contact the Parish Office at (507)452-5656. If you would like more information regarding the Diocese of Winona's Safe Environment program, click the link at the leftt for the Diocese of Winona.
If you would like to file a complaint please visit the Diocese of Winona website. -
Circle of Grace for Children & Youth
Circle of Grace is the children’s education component of the Archdiocese of Omaha’s Safe Environment training. It serves the dual purpose of educating and informing children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others.
Through Circle of Grace, adults assist children and youth to recognize that each of us lives within a Circle of Grace that holds our very essence in body, mind, heart, soul, and sexuality. Children and youth are taught to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated.Circle of Grace is clinically sound and grounded in the Catholic tradition. Its strong parent component means parents can actively participate in their children’s education and formation.