Safe Environment Children’s Program
The national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires each diocese to set up a safety education program for children. The Diocese of Scranton is utilizing the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® Program for this required education of our children.
As caring adults, we have the great responsibility of ensuring the safety of children and youth. The prevention of child sexual abuse requires more than adult awareness, education, and training about the nature and scope of the problem. We must also give children and youth the tools they need to help us keep them safe by educating them regarding boundaries, safe and unsafe behaviors and healthy relationships. Empowering God’s Children® is an age-appropriate comprehensive program through which educators (teachers, catechists and youth ministers) and parents can give children and youth the tools they need to protect themselves and what to do if someone tries to violate their boundaries. All materials are available in English and Spanish.
Each year, the program provides a theme that introduces and builds on the basic concepts of the Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide. The material is developmentally appropriate for each age group and includes content and activities that reinforce the message. Within each lesson plan is the ability to tailor the activities and messaging to meet the needs of the children and youth at all levels.
VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® Program materials can be found when logging into your online VIRTUS account and then selecting the “Educators” tab on top. If you need access to this material, please contact your Safe Environment Coordinator to request this access.