Safe Environment
PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN
The Diocese of Bridgeport’s Policy on Safe Environments
Summary of Safe Environment Requirements for all Clergy, Lay Employees, Volunteers, Parent Volunteers, and Independent Contractors
Everyone who works or volunteers for the Diocese or any parishes or programs must attend an awareness training session and complete a criminal background check.
NEW PERSONNEL
Prior to working or volunteering, all new personnel are required to register online with VIRTUS www.virtusonline.org (click on “Registration”). At this point, you can view the upcoming sessions. To continue with the registration, click on “Begin the registration process”. On the next screen select “Bridgeport”. You will be asked to create a user id and password.
The Mind Your Business (MYB) criminal background check and an electronic acknowledgement of the Safe Environment Handbook is included in the new registration process. If you do not have internet access, call the rectory (203.869.4176) to pre-register.
RENEWALS
Effective January 1, 2015, all members of the Clergy, Religious Sisters and Brothers, Lay Employees of the Diocese and all volunteers who are working in scheduled contact with minors and vulnerable adults must, every five (5) years, undergo a criminal background check and must complete online VIRTUS re-certification on child abuse prevention.
Volunteers and Independent Contractors who assist in adult-only ministries and have no supervisory responsibility or scheduled contact with minors or with vulnerable adults must, every ten (10) years, undergo a criminal background check and complete online VIRTUS re-certification on child abuse prevention.
The first step is to access your own VIRTUS account by visiting www.virtusonline.org. Contact the rectory (203.869.4176) if you need help with accessing your USER ID and PASSWORD. It is very important that you do not create multiple VIRTUS accounts. If you attended a VIRTUS training in the past, you should have an account.
If you do not own a computer or if you do not have access to the Internet, you may attend another live VIRTUS class and return your completed MYB background check authorization form to the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of Safe Environment.
