The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has implemented Safe Environment training throughout our parishes and schools for all adult employees and volunteers who have regular contact with youth. The two-and-a-half hour training sessions teach participants how to prevent child abuse and to recognize the signs of child abuse, and what steps must be taken when child abuse is suspected. Each participant is also given a copy of the archdiocesan Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. The Awareness Sessions are provided with the cooperation of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc., and registration is conducted through the groups' website, www.virtus.org.

During this past Fall, training was provided to 8,500 clergy and laity at 43 different sites throughout the Archdiocese. One of these was held in Spanish. The Office for Catholic Education provided training to over 9,000 teachers, staffs and volunteers as well. Those in Catholic Human Services working in child welfare continue to follow the established state mandates and regulations.

Reverend Gerald C. Measure and Mrs. Evelyn Brannan Tarpey coordinate these training programs and are available to help individual parishes and schools regarding compliance issues, especially around the required police and child welfare background checks. They can be reached at 215-587-2466.

Safe Environment Training

To view list of dates and locations, and register for a session:  https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theme=0