Compliance Resources
OPCY is here to assist parishes and schools in their efforts to fulfill the child protection policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as those of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Name-based criminal background check run through Virtus online as part of the Virtus registration process. Rechecked every three years through Virtus. (Policy 603.2)
Fingerprints run through Accurate Biometrics for the Archdiocese of Chicago. All new hires/school employees may not begin work until fingrprints have been submitted. Schools have the necessary forms. Fingerprints are not transferable.
Yearly check of the central registry of Department of Children and Family Services.
* Required only once for employees who do not work with children. (Policy 603.5)
Protecting God’s Children training session. Register and attend immediately after beginning work or volunteering. (Policy 603.3)
Online training for those who minister solely to vulnerable adults. Replaces PGC for Ministers of Care.
Available through the Virtus system. Recertified every three years, including re-signing the Acknowledgment Form (CANTS 22 or CANTS 22A for clergy). Certificates and signed forms are to be kept on file. (Policy 603.6 and 603.7)
English CANTS 22 Form
Spanish CANTS 22 Form
Eng CANTS 22A (Clergy)
Spanish CANTS 22A (Clergy)
Every student (K–12) in schools and religious education programs should be offered training annually on sexual abuse prevention. (Policy 603.7)
More information about the student training requirement is available here: Child/Youth Training.
Those under the age of 18 are unable to meet safe environment compliance requirement. Therefore, they may not be in a supervisory role or in charge of minors.
Safe Environment compliance is a condition of employment/volunteering and must be met prior to start date. All compliance recordkeeping is to be verified and tracked within the Virtus System Database and reported in the Annual OPCY Audit. (Policy 603.1)
Community Resources
English | Español | Polski
Office for Safe Environment
Office fax: 217.212.6745
Sarah Nemecek, MSc, BA
Director of Safe Environment
312.534.5238
[email protected]
Dina Garcia
Virtus Specialist / Office Manager
312.534.5206
[email protected]
Maricela Gonzalez
Senior Compliance Specialist, Vicariates III & IV
312.534.5388
[email protected]
Victoria Lara
Compliance Specialist, Vicariates I & II
312.534.3852
[email protected]
Mary Krewer
Compliance Specialist, Vicariates V & VI
312.534.2595
[email protected]