VIRTUS is a nationally recognized vendor utilized by 120 dioceses across the United States, offering a comprehensive program including Safe Environment training for adults, children and youth. VIRTUS also provides a convenient way for participants to register for training sessions. Please see the calendar below for upcoming training dates, times, and locations.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta is committed to the safety and well-being of its children, youth, and vulnerable individuals. The program implements procedures to minimize risk while building and fostering a culture of a safety. It requires all clergy, all employees, and volunteers working with children, youth, and/or vulnerable individuals to attend the VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training which is part of the comprehensive Safe Environment compliance program. The Archdiocese does not tolerate abuse or neglect of anyone. It will comply with all obligations of civil and Canon Law; it will promote healing where it is needed, provide education, training and guidance when it is appropriate, and endeavor to prevent any abuse of minors or vulnerable adults with firm justice and mercy towards all.

We host multiple sessions throughout the year at St.Lawrence in English and Spanish; however, you may attend any session convenient to you.

Contact Tarcy Hernandez for the date of the next session and continue to check our parish bulletin and Narthex News often as we will announce sessions as they are coming up. 

Five years after you attended a live three (3) hour VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training session your training will expire. Two weeks prior to the five-year anniversary of your live VIRTUS session an online renewal module will be assigned in your VIRTUS account.

You will receive an email regarding the renewal being assigned assuming your email is correct in the VIRTUS system and the email does not go to spam. The email will come from system@virtus.org.

The VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training incorporates proven best practice standards for the prevention of child sexual abuse by all who interact with children. Participants are made aware of the signs of child sexual abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and are presented with five steps to prevent child sexual abuse. Facilitators incorporate Archdiocesan policies and procedures into the training, defining child sexual abuse, and addressing the legal requirements of reporting child sexual abuse, along with the two videos that are a part of the session.

All clergy, all employees regardless of duties, and volunteers working with children and/or vulnerable individuals must attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training before they begin paid or volunteer work. 

Continuing education training consists of monthly bulletins sent via email to select users (e.g. educators, youth ministers) after attending a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children.  Individuals will be notified by the Safe Environment Coordinator at their location when it is time to renew their background screening and/or take the refresher course. Both the background screening and VIRTUS training are required to be renewed every five years.

If you have already attended a live three (3) hour VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training session in another diocese within the last five (5) years, you will not be required to retake a live three (3) hour session in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Online VIRTUS training will not transfer to the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

To transfer your VIRTUS account from another diocese, please contact VIRTUS at 888-847-8870 or by email at helpdesk@virtus.org.

You do not have to be a U.S. Citizen to volunteer in a ministry at the parish, and you do not need to worry about that in order to participate in VIRTUS, either. 

Please contact our parish office and we can guide you through the process of completing the volunteer application for the background screening before (or after) you sign up for VIRTUS.