VIRTUS COMPLIANCE CHANGES – BACKGROUND CHECKS
The Archdiocese of Chicago is re-running all volunteer background checks through Virtus. Going forward, background checks will be re-run every three years. Virtus will send you an email when it is time for your background check to be rerun. The email you receive will instruct you to update your information in Virtus and will walk you through a step by step process. CLICK HERE to see what the email you will receive will look like.
Please make certain that you complete all sections of the recheck. If you do not, you will not be compliant with Virtus. Thank you for helping to keep our children safe. If you have any questions, please contact Susan O’Connell, St. Michael Parish – Virtus Site Administrator, at soconnell@saintmike.com or 708-349-0903 ext 672.
What are the VIRTUS® programs?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires that each employee and/or volunteer within every parish be trained and screened if they have contact with or minister to children. The program in the Archdiocese of Chicago is called VIRTUS or Protecting God’s Children for Adults.
Additional information on VIRTUS is available at the Archdiocese of Chicago and VIRTUS Online.
Protecting God’s Children
The VIRTUS – Protecting All God’s Children® program has been adopted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago to ensure safe environments for children and youth in all parishes, schools and diocesan programs. For information and registration for the next VIRTUS training session in our area, please visit www.virtus.org.
The workshop educates clergy, staff and volunteers who work with children, about the ways to create safe environments for children. The workshop includes videos and facilitated discussions that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children.
Who Should Attend the Workshop?
All those who interact and are involved in ministry, both as paid employees and as volunteers working with children in our parish, will be trained to assure a safe, healthy and secure environment for our children. Background screening will be conducted for each individual as a component of application to serve in ministry. Though this program might be viewed as an additional burden and time consuming, it is essential for the welfare and safety of our children.
How Do I Attend the Workshop?
This training is offered at St. Michael several times each year as well as in many locations in the Archdiocese.
Required Information and Forms
School & Parish Volunteers Compliance Requirements (PDF)
Compliance Guidelines in English (PDF)
Guías de Conformidad en Español (PDF)
Code of Conduct Form in English (PDF)
Código de Conducta en Español (PDF)
CANTS Form – Authorization for Background Check in English (PDF)
CANTS – Autorización para Verificación de Antecedentes en Español (PDF)
Have Questions?
For more information, contact:
- Parish Office at 708-349-0903.
- School at 708-349-0068.
- Religious Education Office at 708-349-0903 ext 633.
- Youth Ministry Office at 708-349-0903 ext 650.
- You may also contact Susan O’Connell at 708-349-0903 ext 672 or via email at soconnell@saintmike.com.