To begin volunteering at CJA you will need to read and complete several documents and training sessions that are independent of your CJA-hosted orientation. Most of the requirements can be accessed on the Virtus website – a training platform sponsored by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group. One additional training session can be accessed via the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) website.
Please visit the VIRTUS online website to create an account and access the needed forms and training sessions. From the Virtus website, please select “First Time Registrant” from the left side menu and then select “Begin the Registration Process”. After registering, you will be prompted to complete the following:
Sponsored by the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, the purpose of this training is to promote and protect the dignity of children. All employees and volunteers who work with children are required to attend. In the past, this training was in-person at various locations throughout the Chicago area. Currently, it is being offered online.
If you attended a “Protecting God’s Children” training session in the last 3 years, you are compliant with this requirement and will not be prompted to register for training. If you attended “Protecting God’s Children” training, but you completed your session more than 3 years ago, you will be prompted to take a refresher training course titled “Keeping the Promise Alive”.
All employees and volunteers who work with students must complete an online background check. No one can begin to work or volunteer until this is complete and approved. You will be prompted to complete this background check form as part of the Virtus registration process.
Please print and complete a copy of the CANTS 689 form .
Please carefully review the Standards of Behavior on pages 1-4 and then print and sign page 5.
If you have previously worked or volunteered at an organization that uses the Virtus system, you may not be prompted to complete some of the items on the above list.
Visit the DCFS website to register for and complete “Mandated Reporter” training. You will need a computer with speakers and a printer. The training takes approximately 60 minutes. You have 5 days from your volunteer start date to complete the training and will need to be recertified every 3 years.
After you finish the training, please print the following forms and return them to Thomas Beckley at [email protected]:
If you do not have access to a computer and/or a printer, you can schedule an appointment with Dave Zalesky before your first day of volunteer service to complete any necessary requirements.