Safe Environment Training Programs
Implementation of the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment Training Programs include:
- Protecting God’s Children - For all parish volunteers, staff, and clergy, this is an Archdiocese requirement designed to educate adults on how to recognize the warning signs that might indicate that a child is being abused. To register for training and learn more about this program see below.
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Empowering God's Children - For students in grades 1-10. An Archdiocesan program which includes teaching a culture of respect and faith that goes beyond mere protection, helping children and young people understand their own sacredness, the sacredness of others, and how to seek help through their relationships with trusted adults.
Go to Empowering God's Children (for students grades 1-10)
- Performing Criminal Background checks (CORI) - The CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) form is submitted every year by all volunteers age 18 and older, staff, and clergy. (Fiscal year for the Archdiocese is July 1 - June 30). The CORI is a background screening tool, required by the Archdiocese, to secure the safety of our children, youth, elderly and the disabled.
More information: Office for Background Screening - https://www.bostoncatholic.org/background-screening
Protecting God's Children
For Teachers & Volunteers:
We have a serious role in our responsibility to keep all children and vulnerable adults safe. For this reason, we require all employees and volunteers to:
- Complete a CORI form each year as mandated by the Archdiocese of Boston, Child Advocacy Office (Fiscal year for the Archdiocese is July 1 - June 30).
- Receive and review the Archdiocesan Ministerial Code of Conduct.
- Participate in the Protecting God's Children for Adults/Virtus training. The training is offered throughout the Archdiocese all year.
Click here for a full Virtus/Protecting God's Children Training Schedule (select Boston, MA Archdiocese).
Other Safe Environment Training
- Empowering God's Children (for students grades 1-10) -
see below
Empowering God's Children
For students in all grades of Religious Education. Empowering God’s Children® (a program sanctioned by the Archdiocese of Boston) is an age-appropriate comprehensive program through which educators and parents can give children and youth the tools they need to protect themselves by teaching them about safety rights and boundaries. The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to safety and requires its parish communities to integrate this safety information into their programming.
January 2026
Dear Parents,
The Archdiocese requires each parish to offer the Empowering God’s Children Program to all students enrolled in Religious Education, both in-class and homeschool. You as a parent, are required to respond on this Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form to indicate whether or not you want your child or children to participate in this program. (Full details about the program from the Archdiocese are listed at the beginning of the form. Please scroll down to access the response portion of the form. Please plan to respond no later than Jan. 28, 2026 so appropriate plans can be made if you opt your child out of the program.
In-class students in grades 1-6 will be shown a 7-8 minute video and participate in a brief discussion about the topic. You MUST choose “OPT IN: In-Class/Confirmation” or “OPT OUT: In-Class/Confirmation” on the Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form. If you do not respond, your child WILL participate in this program. If you OPT OUT on the Google form, your child will do an activity relating to the topic of the week in the classroom with their catechist. See list at bottom of email for the date on which this program will take place, based on your child’s grade level. Please respond by January 28.
Homeschool students in grades 1-6 are expected to be taught this topic by their parents. I am also required to offer an in-person class for this lesson for homeschool students or those who miss their in-class lesson. You may choose to attend the in-person class on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 7-7:30 pm in the OLPH hall, OR you can complete the lesson at home with your child. You must choose “OPT IN: Homeschool” or “OPT OUT: Homeschool” on the Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form. If you “OPT IN” it means you either plan to attend the class on Feb 11 or you are planning to teach your child(ren) at home using the link below to access the VIRTUS website and the User ID and Password below.
Confirmation Students will be offered the video at class on February 1. Confirmation parents must select “OPT IN: In-Class/Confirmation” or “OPT OUT: In-Class/Confirmation” on the Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form. This video and associated activity will be shown at the beginning of the class on February 1. If your child will not participate you must OPT OUT on the Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form by Wednesday, January 28. If you do not respond, your child will participate in this program. Please let your child know which you have selected so he or she will know whether or not he or she is expected to participate in the video and activity. If you OPT OUT on the Google form, your child will do an alternative activity with the mentors.
All parents may preview the videos by visiting the VIRTUS website or clicking on the link in the Empowering God’s Children® Safe Environment Program Google Form. If you are asked for a User ID use: Parent_Boston with the Password: EGCBoston1 or create your own log in. Once on the landing page, look on the green side banner and select: Parent-Specific Lesson Plan Instructions.
In-class students will be shown the video and have the discussion on these dates:
Grade 1: Feb. 10, 2026
Grade 2: Feb. 9, 2026
Grade 3: Feb. 11, 2026
Grade 4: Feb. 3, 2026
Grade 5: Feb. 3, 2026
Grade 6: Feb. 4, 2026
Confirmation 1 and 2: Feb 1, 2026
Please use the link below to access Empowering All God's Children Parent Lesson Plans.
Instructions for parents/guardians to access the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children material:
Go to WWW.VIRTUSonline.org
On the left side log in with the following information:
User Name: Parent_Boston
Password: EGCBoston1
This will bring you to the Educator Tab where you will see the lesson plans and information for Empowering God’s Children. Look on the left side green banner to access the Parent-Specific Lesson Plan Instructions. Click on this link to access the plans and choose 1 to complete. The videos are imbedded or can be accessed from the green banner. Select either Elementary School or Middle School for the video.
Thank you for all your support.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Religious Education Staff
NOTE:
You, as a parent, are expected to review the material with your child/children at home. If you do not want your child/children to participate in the Empowering God's Children program please fill out the Opt-Out Form below and return it to the religious education office.
Additional Resources
