Safe Environment Program - Keeping our children safe

The Diocese has taken additional measures and continues to improve our efforts to protect children, including:

• Screening all employees and volunteers with multiple background certifications to ensure that individuals with a record of abuse do not have access to children.
• Teaching students how to stay safe and provide instruction in age-appropriate child abuse awareness programs.
• Training employees and volunteers to recognize and report abuse by requiring a state-approved online training program.
• Providing ID Badges for all individuals who have completed the required background certification and training for the Diocesan Youth Protection Program.

The Diocesan Safe Environment program offers age-appropriate personal safety instruction to students in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

These mandatory programs ensure that children receive important information on how to stay safe. In addition to a classroom presentation of safety issues, adapted for different grade levels, parents receive materials to help guide their own discussions with their children.

The Diocese of Harrisburg uses the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® annual training for all children enrolled in our Catholic Schools and religious education classes. This program provides our children and youth the tools and training they need to keep themselves safe. Age-appropriate topics include boundaries, safe and unsafe behaviors, and healthy relationships. The annual, mandatory lessons include content that continues to build on previous lessons as well as engaging activities. All lessons will be offered in English and Spanish.

For more information, click here