Diocesan Safe Environment Training Information
July 1, 2026 New Requirements for School Personnel
CLICK HERE: Adult VIRTUS Training (Clergy, Employees & Volunteers)
Clergy, Employees & Adult Volunteers
ANNOUNCMENT: July 1, 2026 New Training Requirements for ALL School Personnel.
Youth Protection and Safe Environment Training are mandatory for all diocesan clergy, employees and active volunteers working with youth or vulnerable adults. Training must be completed during initial employee onboarding process or prior to volunteer participation. Training must be renewed annually for ALL school personnel including volunteers. For non-school Diocesan Personnel, including volunteers, training must be renewed every three (3) years thereafter for all parish employees and active volunteers.
As of July 1, 2026, the State of California has expanded the California Mandated Reporter definition. California Mandated Reporters now include all school personnel, and now includes staff, volunteers, contractors, and governing board members as State of California Mandated Reporters whom have a personal legal duty to report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect to civil authorities. In addition to the expanded definition, California now requires annual Youth Protection training for all school personnel.
The Diocese of San Jose is excited to continue our partnership with VIRTUS to announce an updated safe environment training. The VIRTUS Online Training provides a flexible training option for all diocesan schools and ministries and is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese languages. The Safe Environment training website is available at www.virtusonline.org.
CLICK HERE: Teen VIRTUS Training (Teen Volunteers)
High School Student Volunteers: Teen Volunteers Ages 13 to 18 Years of Age
Youth between the ages of 13 up to their 18 birthday, must complete the following VIRTUS® online training course for employment or volunteer service eligibility. The Healthy Relationships For Teens 2.0 training course must be renewed every 2 years to maintain eligibility up to 18 years of age. Once the teen reaches 18 years of age, they are required to take the adult training programs in order to continue their service. CLICK HERE to register!
Training Website: www.virtusonline.org | Registration Instructions
CLICK HERE: Youth Safe Environment Training (Lessons for Children)
Safe Environment Training Materials
Safe Environment training material for children in diocesan schools or parish faith formation programs can be accessed on the VIRTUS® Resources for Teachers & Catechist web page.
CLICK HERE: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: VIRTUS Safe Environment Training
Q: What training do I take?
A: If you serve at a Diocesan School, you must complete the CA Your Protection Training. If you serve at a Diocesan Parish, you must complete the Diocesan Safe Environment Training.
Q: Where can I register for the Diocese of San Jose’s VIRTUS Safe Environment Training?
A: CLICK HERE to Register for the VIRTUS Safe Environment Training Website. Alternatively, your can access the training website directly at www.virtusonline.org and select the FIRST-TIME REGISTRANT option.
Q: How do I access my Certificate of Completion?
A: Click here for instructions on how to access your Certificate of Completion
Q: How do I reset my VIRTUS password?
A: To reset your VIRTUS password, please CLICK HERE.
Q: Why is the Diocese of San Jose Updating their VIRTUS Training Program?
A: The Diocese of San Jose has long maintained robust systems to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, including comprehensive safe environment programs and policies, mandatory abuse prevention training, background checks, and clear reporting protocols for suspected abuse. These practices reflect the Church’s moral commitment to the dignity and protection of every child and have been in place across diocesan schools and ministries since the implementation of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions: SB 848
California Senate Bill 848 (SB 848) builds upon and formalizes many of these same principles at the state level. Among other requirements, it mandates that school personnel and volunteers complete annual training on child abuse reporting and prevention, and it broadens the definition of “mandated reporters” to include employees, volunteers, contractors, and governing board members.
In compliance with SB 848, the Diocese of San Jose has partnered with The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, VIRTUS, to develop a more robust/modern training resource that fully aligns and satisfies both California SB 848 requirements for California Mandated Reporters while incorporating our Catholic values in upholding the USCCB’s Safe Environment expectations.
SB 848 Key Requirements:
- Expansion of California Mandated Reporter Definition
All school personnel – including volunteers, contractors, and governing board members – are State of California Mandated Reporters and have a personal legal duty to report any known or suspected child abuse or neglect to civil authorities. - California & Diocesan Training Expectation
New Training Course: CA Youth Protection Training - Annual Requirement: All School Personnel
All school personnel – including volunteers, contractors, and governing board members – must complete the Mandated Reporter training requirement annually.
Frequently Asked Questions: Local Partners
Thank you for your interest in collaborating with the Diocese of San Jose. Below are some general considerations for local organizations that frequently collaborate with the Diocese or have interest in partnering with the diocese. These are general provisions to be considered in alignment with the Diocese’s Master Service Agreement for third-party providers, which is required for all diocesan partnerships that may or may not serve youth and/or vulnerable adults. In addition, all applicable state and federal laws must be upheld in all diocesan environments.
Q: Have there been any recent updates or revisions to VIRTUS or other Safe Environment Training requirements for teens or student leaders?
A: Safe Environment Training requirements for teens or student leaders remain the same.
Q: Are there any new training requirements, certifications, or onboarding steps that staff members, volunteers, or contractors are now expected to complete?
A: Yes, for Diocesan personnel including third-party providers, we have partnered with the VIRTUS training platform to develop an annual training course for all Diocesan school personnel that fully aligns and satisfies SB 848 requirements: CA Youth Protection Training. This new training incorporates both California Mandated Reporting standards and USCCB Safe Environment requirements to meet both the civil and canonical jurisdictional standards.
Q: Has the Diocese implemented any SB 848-specific training or compliance measures that Catholic schools should be aware of?
A: Yes, all Safe Environment and SB 848 training expectations must be met annually for Diocesan institutions.
Q: Are there any additional expectations or best practices related to protecting children and vulnerable adults that Bellarmine should be incorporating into our programs or staff training?
A: All USCCB Safe Environment and California Mandated Reporter requirements and best practices must be upheld in all school related environments including telecommunications and online environments.