Volunteer Training - VIRTUS

All volunteers working with children are required to complete a training program prior to volunteering.

The Diocese of Cleveland's March 1, 2003 Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters Regarding Sexual Abuse states that every Parish (church or school) employee and every volunteer 18 and older who has contact with or access to children is required to do the following:

1. Complete an employment or volunteer application (pdf), provide references and be interviewed by a member of the Parish Staff;
2. Obtain a copy of the Diocese of Cleveland's Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse (pdf), and sign and submit the accompanying acknowledgment form;
3. Attend a 3-hour VIRTUS Training Session and complete a one-year tutorial (either online or by mail);
4. Go to www.dioceseofcleveland.org and follow these 3 steps:
   • Read the Standards of Conduct Policy (pdf)
   • Print, complete and sign the Acknowledgment Form on the last page of Standards of Conduct Policy.
   • Submit the Acknowledgment Form to the appropriate person at the Parish or School for which you are employed or volunteer; and
5. Complete a successful Background Check (pdf) through the State of Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (for those who have been an Ohio resident the last 5 years) and an FBI background check (for those who have not been a resident of Ohio the last 5 years). Employees must complete a background check annually. Volunteers must complete a background check every two years. A background check is obtained by presenting a valid Ohio Driver's License and having fingerprints scanned electronically or printed with ink.

   The Holy Family Parish Office, 3450 Sycamore Drive in Stow is equipped to scan fingerprints electronically during business hours. If you are attending a VIRTUS Training Session at Holy Family Parish, fingerprinting is available only before each session.

If you are a Parish (Church or School) employee or, a volunteer who has contact with or access to children, you are required to complete the above steps PRIOR to beginning employment or volunteering. If you plan on ever being a Parish employee or volunteer, the above will be required.

3-hour VIRTUS Training Sessions

The word "virtus" derives from Latin, and means valor, moral strength, excellence, and worth.

Those who have access to the Internet can register to attend a 3-hour VIRTUS Training Session. Registration is not required to attend a session.

How to register for a VIRTUS Training Session:

1. Go to www.virtus.org
2. Click on the yellow link labeled "Registration"
3. Choose the "Diocese of Cleveland"
4. Create and remember a user id and password
5. Proceed with registration instructions

If you have any questions, call Mrs. Sharon Fournier at (330) 688-6412 ext. 320 or [email protected].