VIRTUS Information for Volunteers
Before you volunteer with children
You’ll need to complete five tasks in VIRTUS, the volunteer management and safe-environment system used by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Through VIRTUS, volunteers complete the background screening, training, and conduct requirements designed to help protect children, young people, and other vulnerable members of our community.
If you already have a VIRTUS account and are able to log in, please skip to Maintaining Your VIRTUS account. If you cannot log into your VIRTUS account, please see the FAQs at the bottom of this page.
The five tasks are:
- Criminal Background Check (in VIRTUS)
- Online Training Modules
- Protecting God’s Children (in VIRTUS)
- Illinois Mandated Reporter Training (linked in VIRTUS)
- Forms to Sign
- Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior (signed electronically through VIRTUS)
- CANTS 689 and CANTS 22 (can be printed from VIRTUS, but must be turned in as hard copies or scanned and emailed)
Once you set up your VIRTUS accounts, it will walk you through these requirements.
SETTING UP YOUR VIRTUS ACCOUNT
Below are simple instructions for setting up your VIRTUS account as a volunteer. If you would like very detailed instructions with pictures, click here.
- Go to www.virtus.org
- Click:
- First Time Registrant
- “Begin the registration process”
- Chicago, IL (Archdiocese)
- No
- Fill out your information – the system will prompt you to create a username/password and enter some information about yourself. Take care to enter your legal name, email, and date of birth correctly. Then click “continue.”
- Set your Primary Location to Old St. Mary’s Parish and select Volunteer as the application type. Do NOT choose “educator.”
- Follow the prompts to complete the online criminal background check in your account.
- Watch for an email from VERIFY2 and complete its follow-up information; add one personal and one professional reference.
COMPLETING THE VIRTUS TRAINING MODULES
If you are not automatically redirected, open your VIRTUS dashboard and click “Current Training.”
Protecting God’s Children
- Select “No” when asked if you have already attended a training session.
- Choose the online training format – VIRTUS will give you a list of in-person training options to choose from – you want to choose the online training instead (usually at the bottom of the list), which is often labelled “Protecting God’s Children 4.0 with Technology Expansion – Chicago”
- Follow the prompts to complete the training module.
Illinois Mandated Reporter Training
- Select “Current Training” again and follow the prompts to complete the Illinois Mandated Reporter Training
- Print/save your certificate of completion for easier record keeping – you can email this to your ministry head.
SIGNING THE Safe Environment Forms
Return to your VIRTUS dashboard and click the “Required Documents” tile. Volunteers who work with children and young people are required to sign three documents:
CANTS 689 — Authorization for Background Check: Authorizes DCFS to check its Central Register for reports of child abuse or neglect. This is separate from the criminal background check and must be completed annually. Print and sign the form, and then return it to your ministry head in hard copy or by email.
Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior: Describes appropriate conduct with children and vulnerable adults. Can be signed virtually by scrolling to the bottom of the document and filling out the signature fields.
CANTS 22 — Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status: Confirms that you understand your responsibilities as a mandated reporter, including your obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This form must be printed and signed. You can return it to your ministry head in hard copy or by email.
Thank you for taking the time to become a cleared volunteer! Please take a moment to let your ministry head know that you have completed the VIRTUS requirements so that he/she can confirm that everything is processed properly.
MAINTAINING YOUR VIRTUS ACCOUNT
If you already have a VIRTUS account, please log in and review your dashboard frequently. Any items that need your attention will appear in red. These may include forms, training modules, background screening items, or electronic signatures that are missing or need to be renewed.
Every few weeks, you will see a new safety bulletin appear on your dashboard. Please take the time to read through these short bulletins and answer the multiple choice question at the bottom as soon as they appear. Keeping your VIRTUS account current and completing assigned items as they become available is necessary for us to remain in compliance with Archdiocesan volunteer requirements.
FAQS
I used to have a VIRTUS account for Old St. Mary’s, but now I can’t log in. Your account was likely deactivated due to inactivity. Please email Patti Murphy with your full name and email address that you used for VIRTUS to have your account reactivated. Do not create a new account.
I have a VIRTUS account from another parish/diocese that I volunteered with before. Perfect! Please fill out this quick form to request that your account be moved to Old St. Mary’s. If you still volunteer at the previous location, you can choose to “copy” instead of “move” your account. Do not create a new account. Once your request is processed, you may still need to email Patti Murphy to reactivate it if it has been some time since you logged in.
Can I use the same VIRTUS account as a family member? No. Each volunteer must have his/her own account.
QUeSTIONS AND ASSISTANCE?
If your VIRTUS account is inactive, or if you need assistance in becoming compliant, please contact our VIRTUS On-Site Administrator, Patti Murphy.