Safe Environments

In the Archdiocese of Detroit, safe environment programs are in place to protect all of us. These programs offer valuable knowledge, assistance, and support in preventing harm to young people and vulnerable adults. All parents, children, and those who work and/or volunteer in the Archdiocese of Detroit are required to complete an age appropriate safe environments program. At Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Parish and School, we ask all our employees and volunteers to join our commitment to protecting the vulnerable.

Requirements for Employees and Volunteers

Our Lady Star of the Sea Safe Environments Program Requirements for Employees & Volunteers

All employees or volunteers must complete the following Safe Environment program requirements before they begin their assigned duties:

• Sign up for a Virtus Account or obtain access to your Virtus account if you already have one. HERE
  • Virtus is a database that tracks compliance with the AOD safe environment program requirements. Scroll down for instructions to help you sign up or recover your password.
• Read and electronically sign the AOD Code of Conduct. You will be prompted to sign the Code of Conduct within your Virtus account.
• Fill out and electronically sign a background check authorization form. You will be prompted to give the required information for a background check authorization and then asked to digitally sign the form within Virtus. The background check authorization form agrees to periodic criminal background checks – every year for employees, every two years for volunteers. Your information will be securely stored in Virtus.
• Register for and complete the Protecting God's Children/Vulnerable Adults training module. Training can be completed online or in person. Updated training must be completed every three years. You will be prompted to register for a training module within your Virtus account.

Virtus Instructions

NEW Virtus Users: Virtus Account Registration Instructions

• Go to the Virtus website  HERE 
• Select the First-Time Registrant link
  • Begin the registration process
  • From the drop down list of organizations, select Detroit, MI (Archdiocese)
• Create a user name and password
• Enter your personal information, including information needed for background check authorization form
  • Such as date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity
• Select "Our Lady Star of the Sea" - where you work or volunteer
• Choose your role(s) and enter your title or what you do for the parish
• Answer whether you are associated with any other locations
• Answer questions about your contact with minors and/or vulnerable adults, and whether you manage people
• Read and digitally sign the AOD code of conduct
• Answer State of Michigan residency questions and sign
• Read and sign info about background check authorization form
• Review and electronically sign background authorization form
• Answer whether you have already attended a Protecting God's Children session
• Select Training Session
  • Select the training session you would like to attend and click continue to complete registration process

Already have a VIRTUS account but don't know how to login?

• Go to the Virtus website  HERE 
• Click the "Need Login Information" link
• Follow the steps to reset your password or recover your username. Still having trouble? Email s.carozza@stargp.org for help obtaining access to your account.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is required for clergy (priests and deacons); archdiocesan, parish, and school employees; and any volunteers who work directly with children and/or vulnerable adults. Volunteers who do not work directly with children and/or vulnerable adults are required to undergo an iChat (Michigan State Police) background check every 2 years.

Please read our background check and criminal convictions policy  HERE . 

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW AS TO WHEN FINGERPRINTING WILL BE AVAILABLE.