All volunteers at our school who work with children and young people must complete Protecting God's Children/Virtus Training and become Virtus Certified. This training and certification educate participants on the signs of child abuse, ways to prevent abuse, and methods for properly reporting suspicions of abuse.

To complete the Virtus training, please complete the seven steps listed below. For assistance, please contact the St. Christopher Parish Center at 708-385-8776 or via email at stchris@stchristopherparish.com.

A complete downloadable version of these instructions is available here: Download instructions

Thank you for doing your part to protect God's Children!

Process to become Virtus Certified

Step 1: Complete a VIRTUS Training Session
Online Virtus training sessions are available on-demand, via the link below:

To start the process, click on the grey "Start Registration" button at the bottom of the page. Following the instructions to set up an account, and then start the training. Training will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. When you have completed the training, be sure to download and save your certificate of completion:

Step 2: Complete the State of Illinois Mandated Reporter training.
Mandated Reported training is available on-demand via the link below:

To start the process, click the green "Register for an Account" button at the top right of the page. This training will take about 60 minutes to complete. When you have completed the training, download and save your certificate of completion:

Step 3: Complete Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status (CANTS-22) Form
Please complete and submit a copy of the CANTS-22 Acknowledgement of Mandated Reports Status from State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. After completing your Mandated Reporter Training, this form certifies that you are a mandated reporter. You can download and print this form at the link below.

Step 4: Complete Authorization for Background Check (CANTS-689) Form
Please complete and submit a copy of the CANTS-689 Authorization for Background Check Form from State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. You can download and print this form at the link below.

Step 5: Complete the Archdiocese Standards of Behavior Form
Please complete and submit a copy of the Archdiocese Standards of Behavior Form. This forms states that you understand the standards of behavior of the Archdiocese and agree to abide by it. You can download and print this form at the link below.

Step 6: Complete Required Information on the Virtus Website
Please log into the Virtus Website at www.virtusonline.org and complete required information:

1. Click on the "My Info" tab and set your location to St. Christopher Church/School, and role to volunteer:

2. Click on the "Background Checks" link and complete your online background checks
3. Click on the "Training Bulletins" link and complete any missed bulletins.

A screen shot of these three links is shown below:

Step 7: Submit completed forms to St. Christopher Office
Please submit copies of your completed certificates and forms to the St. Christopher Parish Center. You may do this in person, or by emailing the forms to schooloffice@stchrisschool.org. You should include the following forms:

• VIRTUS Training Completion Certificate from Step 1
• Mandated Reporter Training Certificate from Step 2
• Completed Mandated Reporter Status (CANTS-22) Form from Step 3
• Completed Background Check (CANTS-689) Form from Step 4
• Archdiocese Standards of Behavior Form from Step 5