Virtus & Volunteer Compliance Requirements


Bridgeport Catholic Academy is committed to providing a safe, secure, and faith-filled environment for all students. In accordance with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago, all parents, coaches, and volunteers who have contact with students whether on campus or at any school-sponsored activity, including off-campus field trips must complete all required VIRTUS compliance requirements before serving.

No individual may volunteer or coach until all required training, forms, and background checks have been completed and approved. There are no exceptions to these requirements.

All Archdiocese employees and volunteers who work with children are required to create and maintain an online VIRTUS account. This account is used to register for training, submit required documentation, and maintain ongoing compliance.

Creating Your VIRTUS Account - If you have never been VIRTUS certified, please complete the following steps:
  1. Create a VIRTUS account. Accounts may be created in English or Spanish.
  2. Visit: www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_2.cfm?theme=0
  3. Select Archdiocese of Chicago from the diocesan drop-down menu.
  4. Under Position, select Volunteer.
  5. Indicate that you will be working with young children.
Once your account has been created, VIRTUS will automatically assign the training and compliance requirements appropriate for your certification status.

Required Compliance Items

1. Protecting God's Children for Adults
New volunteers will automatically be assigned the Protecting God's Children for Adults training through their VIRTUS account.
This training teaches participants to:
  • Recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse.
  • Understand how offenders target children.
  • Learn strategies to prevent abuse.
  • Understand how to respond to concerns involving child safety.
This training must be completed before any contact with Bridgeport Catholic Academy students.

2. Keeping the Promise Alive (Recertification) - Frequency: Every 3 years
If your Protecting God's Children certification was completed before 2018, or when your certification becomes due, you will be assigned the online Keeping the Promise Alive recertification course through VIRTUS.

3. Name-Based Criminal Background Check (S2Verify) - Frequency: Every 3 years
A Name-Based Criminal Background Check is completed through S2Verify within your VIRTUS account and is renewed every three years.

4. Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior (ASB) - (Formerly Code of Conduct) - Frequency: Annual
https://protect.archchicago.org/documents/351902/397413/Standards+of+Behavior+-+EN/6e9f2c76-88c2-4d06-b439-a8c80a5db343
Every volunteer must read and electronically acknowledge the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior for Church Personnel Working with Minors and Vulnerable Adults through their VIRTUS account each year.

5. CANTS 689 Form - Frequency: Annual
All volunteers must complete the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS 689) Form each year. 
  • Print the form. https://protect.archchicago.org/documents/351902/397413/CANTS+689+EN
  • Fill out all required information. 
  • Sign the CANTS 689 form with an ink signature. 
  • DCFS will not accept any docusign or electronic signatures. 
  • You must sign in cursive. Printed signatures are not accepted by DCFS. 
  • Do not send the CANTS 689 form to DCFS. 
  • Give the completed CANTS 689 form to the school office 

6. Illinois Mandated Reporter Training - Frequency: Every 3 years
All volunteers must complete the online Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters.
The training is completed online at:  https://mandatedreporter.dcfs.illinois.gov/en/index-man
Training requirements include:
  • Approximately 60 minutes to complete.
  • Must be completed on a computer.
  • Speakers or headphones are required.
  • Print the completion certificate.
  • Submit the certificate to the school office.
A copy of the certificate must be printed and given to the school office, it will be kept on file.

7. CANTS 22 – Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status - Frequency: Every 3 years
  • After completing the Mandated Reporter Training, volunteers must complete and submit the Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status (CANTS 22) form to the school office.
https://protect.archchicago.org/documents/351902/397413/CANTS_22_Fillable.pdf/7fc303ce-663c-4f6e-b7a1-a0e496b8300a
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A copy of the certificate must be printed and given to the school office, it will be kept on file.

All VIRTUS requirements must be completed and approved before volunteering or coaching at Bridgeport Catholic Academy. Volunteers who are not fully compliant with Archdiocese of Chicago Safe Environment requirements will not be permitted to volunteer, coach, chaperone, or participate in activities involving students until all requirements have been satisfied.
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Thank you for helping us provide a safe, caring, and faith-filled environment for every student at Bridgeport Catholic Academy.

Resources 

​VIRTUS REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR NEW REGISTRANTS
​Safe Environment Compliance Guidelines Chart, July 2026