The VIRTUS training, "Protecting God's Children" is the program implemented by the Diocese of Portland, designed to increase one's knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse and how one can help prevent the sexual abuse of minors and to implement the proper response when abuse may be indicated.

Who is Required to Sign Up for this Program?

Teachers, staff, and all volunteers who minister to or work with minor children or vulnerable adults must attend one of the VIRTUS Training program sessions and are required to read a number of bulletins online per year at the VIRTUS Online website.

Human resource considers the following list of volunteers as those that require this training:

Athletic Directors                       Babysitters                                      Cafeteria Workers
Catechists                                   Clerical/Office Workers                 Chaperones for Overnight Events
Crossing Guards                        Custodians (School or Parish)     Drivers (for Youth)
Day Care Workers                      Extended Care Workers                 Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound
Instructional Assistants           Library Assistants                          Maintenance (School or Parish)  Playground Monitors                "Room" Mothers or Fathers          Sacramental Prep                         
Scout Volunteers                       Tutors                                               Youth Ministry Core Team             
Youth Retreat                             VBS volunteers                               Any volunteer who may have contact with                                                                                                                        children or vulnerable adults


The following steps are required:

Live Training Session
You will be required to attend a live training session, which is offered at various parishes/schools throughout the Portland Diocese.

Click here for a list of current training sessions (choose Portland Diocese).

At the training session, you MUST sign in on their sign-up sheet and put the name of the parish you will be volunteering at as your location.

 
Background Check
You will be required to complete a Background Check Form administered by the Diocese of Portland. Special care is taken to protect your privacy.
 
Ongoing Personal Training/Required Readings
After the live training session is completed, ongoing training is provided through the VIRTUS Online website. You will be required to read a bulletin once a month. More information can be found at VIRTUS Online.

Choose from the links below to learn more about this program:
 

                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                      Espanõl 




To sign-up for a training class click here or contact:
Kris Benson at (207) 883-0334 or kris.benson@portlanddiocese.org