Keeping Our Promise to Protect
Child and Youth Protection
Minimum Requirements for Safe Environment Compliance
Listed below are the minimum requirements that must be met by any adult (age 18 or over) who works and/or volunteers in a Diocese of Savannah Church, School or Social Service Agency AND comes into contact with any youth (under age 18) during the course of their ministry.
-
Attendance at the VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children for Adults (PGCA)” Training.
-
Registration of the above training on the website www.virtusonline.org. Registration is preferred prior to the class but can be completed after the class
-
A National Criminal Background check, a check of the Sex Offender’s Registry, and (preferred) a verification of the Social Security Number at least once every five years.
-
Read the Diocesan “Code of Conduct” and agree to its terms by signing the back page and turning it into your church or school.
-
Completing the “Safe Environment Refresher Training” on the VIRTUS website if it has been five years or more since attending the PGCA class.
For certain roles, VIRTUS monthly training bulletins are required with no more than two unread bulletins. Those roles can be found at this link.
Ministries Required to Be Compliant
-
All sports coaches
-
School teachers and administrators
-
School nurses
-
School library/media specialists
-
School paraprofessionals/aides
-
Any administrative school employee if students are allowed access to the school office
-
Any other volunteer or employee required by the Superintendent of Schools
-
All school parents who volunteer on campus or for a field trip
-
Ordained clergy (bishops, priests, permanent deacons)
-
Candidates for ordination (seminarians/permanent diaconate program candidates)
-
Vowed religious working in diocesan churches or schools
-
Faith Formation volunteers
-
Youth ministry volunteers
-
Any adult volunteer/employee who helps with building or landscape maintenance where youth are helping with that ministry
-
Ushers
-
Eucharistic Ministers
-
Lectors
-
Any adult volunteer with altar service who volunteers with youth
-
Any music ministry employee or volunteer where youth are part of the ministry
-
Any parish- or school-sponsored Boy/Girl Scout troop adult volunteer
-
Any other adult the pastor or school principal identifies for compliance
