Updated July 2021

The attached memo gives instructions on how to do the background check and Virtus training online, which involves three things: you’ll do the actual training, authorize a background check, and acknowledge the Code of Ethics. Have your driver’s license with you when you do this because you will need info from it for the background check authorization. The background checks are done by a company that the diocese contracts with; we receive no actual results, only an e-mail that tells us you were approved. The diocese has advised us to tell people that this registration cannot be done from a smartphone; it must be done from a computer because of the background check authorization.

For your location, please select: “St. Edmond Catholic School/Holy Trinity – 242 (Fort Dodge).”

The attached instructions are outdated in that they are geared toward in-person Virtus training, but at this time with the Covid-19 situation all training is being done online. So rather than register for in-person training at a future date as set out in the instructions, you will go ahead and do the training online. Please know that it may take up to two hours to do the training so allow time for that.

The background check, acknowledgement of the Code of Ethics, and Virtus child abuse training are required for any individual who works for or volunteers with St. Edmond School or Holy Trinity Parish.

If you have any questions at all or have problems with this, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Thanks very much!!


Joyce A. Lennon
Parish Administrative Assistant / Human Resources Assistant
Holy Trinity Parish / St. Edmond Catholic School
2220 4^th Avenue North, Fort Dodge, IA  50501
Phone: 515-955-6077
Fax: 515-955-8473
E-mail: lennonj@st-edmond.com
Websites: st-edmond.com; holytrinitywci.org





HOLY TRINITY PARISH and ST. EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Instructions for VIRTUS Online Registration, Background Check Authorization, and Code of Conduct
 

1. Virtus, or Protecting God’s Children, is a national program for educating people about child abuse and to teach them how to recognize and prevent it, and is a two-hour in-person class with video and instruction. It discusses warning signs that can help us identify potential child or elder abuse before it happens.
2. It is mandatory for all HTP/SE employees, and for volunteers 18 or older who work with youth on a regular basis such as helping in a classroom, lunchroom or playground duty, catechists, and those who drive for or chaperone field trips. Note that registration for the session includes a background check authorization.
3. PLEASE register a week before the training to allow time for the necessary documents to be processed!
4. All three things (register for Virtus session, authorize a background check, and acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct) must be done online per diocese procedures. This must be done on a computer, not a smartphone.
5. Go to www.virtusonline.org.
6. Click on “Registration” link, then click on “Begin the Registration Process.” Under “Please select your diocese,” select the Sioux City Diocese.
7. It will ask you to select a user ID and password. Please write these down and keep them in a secure place for when you need to access the website again.
8. There will be several questions about your contact with minors in your work/volunteer capacity.
9. The Code of Conduct has been built into the registration. You will read the Code of Conduct booklet and answer questions interspersed within the text. There is no penalty at all for a wrong answer; it will simply advance to the next question or text. You may go back and review any text that you wish.
10. Register for the upcoming Virtus training session that you plan to take.
11. Continue on and complete the information requested for the Background Check Authorization. It will ask for information from your driver’s license. Also, it will ask for your address(es) for the previous seven years.
12. You will be required to submit your signature online by using your computer’s mouse.
13. The background checks are done by a company that the diocese contracts with; HTP/SE personnel receive no actual results, only an e-mail that tells us you were approved. You will receive the approval e-mail also, at the e-mail address you input when you register. (If you are not approved for any reason, the diocese will send you a registered letter.)
14. Your class registration, background check authorization, and acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct will then be complete.
15. Following your Virtus class, all employees and any volunteer working with children will be e-mailed a monthly bulletin by Virtus which you need to read and then answer one question at the end. It does not take a great deal of time and is a requirement for any employee of Holy Trinity Parish and St. Edmond Catholic School, or anyone who volunteers once or more per month.
16. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Business/Parish Office at 955-6077. Thank you!

revised Jan 2019