Safe Environment/ Volunteer Requirements

As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults.

As minors and vulnerable adults participate in activities within or sponsored by our diocese, it is our commitment to provide an environment which is safe and nurturing. Therefore, the mission of the Safe Environment Program is:

• To provide required education for all employees (clergy, religious and laity), those volunteers and others regularly involved with minors, and parents, as to the issue of abuse of children including the detection, prevention and reporting of child abuse.
• To provide required training programs for children and young people in our Catholic schools and religious education programs. This includes age appropriate materials pertaining to personal safety and information about improper touching and relationships. Children are not expected to be fully knowledgeable about child abuse or of the laws governing care of children but they need to know when they should seek assistance from a trusted adult.
• To thoroughly screen and evaluate the background of all diocesan employees – clergy, religious and laity – and those volunteers who work with children and young people.
• To hold those who minister in the name of the Church of Venice – all diocesan employees (clergy, religious and laity) and those volunteers who work with children and young people – to Christ-centered and professional codes of conduct.

Therefore, all who are interested in assisting at the school, in the classroom, or around children (including field trips and lunch) must be an approved school volunteer through the Diocese of Venice.

Please register online at https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/

While on the Virtus page you will register for a Virtus Acct, you will sign up for a SET Training, and you will be re-directed to the Fingerprint Advantage Page. (This page will allow you to preregister your demographic information and schedule an appointment at St. Catherine Parish Office which is our closest electronic fingerprint collection site.)

If you have any questions please call Mrs. Andrews at 863-385-7300 or email andrews@stcatheschool.org