Catechist Corner - Safe Environment Policy

Anyone working with children within the Diocese of Trenton must complete the following to be in compliance with the Diocesan Safe Environment Program (this includes all clergy, staff, and volunteers of parishes and parochial schools):

Fingerprinting/Background Check.  You must create a Virtus.org account. Once you have created your account, you have the ability to schedule your background check. If this is your first time getting a background check, you must follow the directions to schedule your date, and you are not required to pay online. You will be asked to pay when you get to the facility.  

To register, go to Virtus.org (this page) and start as a First Time Registrant. Choose Trenton, NJ (Diocese) from the first dropdown menu. In the second dropdown menu, choose ST CATHERINE OF SIENA CHURCH. Once you begin scheduling your fingerprint appointment, enter the service code for volunteers: 2F1J3Y.  It is very important to arrive on time for your appointment, and to bring the ID you chose online. *Note* Please use the correct code when scheduling your appointment. The background check fee is higher for an employee/vendor than for a volunteer. When you reach the facility, they will ask for a Contributor's Case number, which is TRE071.

If you have been fingerprinted before, through the IdentoGo program for the Diocese of Trenton, you may choose Selection.com

It may just say Selection) from your Virtus account to activate a name check.

When you have completed fingerprinting, please submit the form to receive reimbursement. The cost of fingerprinting for volunteers is around $25 for volunteers and around $55 for employees (you will see the exact current cost when you register) - please note that upon completing fingerprinting, volunteers and staff should submit their form and receipt to the administrator of the program they are serving within the parish/school for reimbursement.  

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• VIRTUS, Protecting God's Children for Adults' Awareness Session.  **The Diocese is currently offering Virtus as an online course as well. 
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• This is a three-hour workshop held at various parishes throughout the Diocese. You can now take the initial Virtus session or recertify online. To take Virtus online, please send your username to Janet Amato at officeassistant@sienachurch.org
• Those who have attended Virtus in the past can take the re-certification course, which is shorter than the initial training.

Contact Janet Amato at officeassistant@sienachurch.org for a current listing.

•  Please note that you must register in advance to attend a session and to obtain your Virtus certificate. If you experience any difficulties in registering, please contact Janet Amato at officeassistant@sienachurch.org.
• Please note that both fingerprinting and attendance at a VIRTUS session must be completed every four years. In the past, attendance at a single VIRTUS session during an individual's involvement with a youth-serving organization met the Diocesan Safe Environment requirement. The current policy now requires individuals to complete both VIRTUS and fingerprinting every 4 years. This change in policy is due to revisions made in June 2018 to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  
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• If you have been fingerprinted and/or attended Virtus in the past but are unsure of whether you are due to repeat either/both, please log into your Virtus.org account, and the tiles show in red if you are not up to date with any documentation. If you have any questions, contact the administrator for the program you are affiliated with.  
• Fingerprinting/background checks done by other organizations cannot be submitted in lieu of the Diocesan fingerprinting process.