Compliance Guidelines

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
    VOLUNTEER
    A volunteer is any individual 18 years of age and older serving in any volunteer capacity in the parishes, schools, agencies, and other institutions of the diocese. (i.e. Eucharistic/Extraordinary Ministers, Readers, Ushers, Greeters, Adult Servers, Choir Members, Musician, PSR Teachers, etc.)
    Requirement Completion Where
    ONLINE CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

    TO BE DONE BEFORE SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER

    (If your address changes after completing the initial screening, this check must be renewed. Otherwise, it does not expire.)

    DCFS/CANTS CHECK
    TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete a background check through CMG, please contact your parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator.

    		 Electronic forms and the DCFS/CANTS form is accessible on CMG Connect.

    Selection.Com will run the criminal history background check. The Department of Children and Family Services will run the DCFS/CANTS check. Results are confidential and are recorded in the CMG tracking database.
    SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 Must be completed beforecommencement of volunteer service.

    If you have completed safe environment training in a different diocese, please contact the Office for Safe Environment as some trainings are transferrable.

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete the safe environment training through CMG, please contact your parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator.
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF:

    POLICY ON WORKING WITH MINORS (CODE OF CONDUCT)

    &

    LAY AND RELIGIOUS EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS

    		 Review Policies §100, §1100, and §1200 respectively covering Clerical, Candidates in Formation, and Lay Employees and Volunteers Sexual Abuse of Minors: Policies for Education, Prevention, Assistance, and Procedures for Determination of Fitness for Ministry, Employment or Volunteer Service. Overview of diocesan Safe Environment policies are included in the safe environment training and background check process on CMG.

    View or Download policies at https://www.dio.org/safeenvironment/policies
    *PLEASE NOTE: VOLUNTEER COACHES ARE REQUIRED TO BE FINGERPRINTED FOR THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK BEFORE THEY CAN SERVE AS A COACH IN THE DIOCESE*
    EMPLOYEES OF THE PARISH, PASTORAL CENTER AND OTHER DIOCESAN AGENCIES OR INSTITUTIONS
    Requirement Completion Where
    ONLINE CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK

    TO BE DONE BEFORE SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER

    (If your address changes after completing the initial screening, this check must be renewed. Otherwise, it does not expire.)

    DCFS/CANTS CHECK

    TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete a background check through CMG, please contact your parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator.

    		 Electronic forms and the DCFS/CANTS form is accessible on CMG Connect.

    Selection.Com will run the criminal history background check. The Department of Children and Family Services will run the DCFS/CANTS check. Results are confidential and are recorded in the CMG tracking database.
    SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 Must be completed within 60 days of being hired.

    If you have completed safe environment training in a different diocese, please contact the Office for Safe Environment as some trainings are transferrable.

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete the safe environment training through CMG, please contact your parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator.
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF:

    POLICY ON WORKING WITH MINORS (CODE OF CONDUCT)

    &

    LAY AND RELIGIOUS EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS

    		 Review Policies §100, §1100, and §1200 respectively covering Clerical, Candidates in Formation, and Lay Employees and Volunteers Sexual Abuse of Minors: Policies for Education, Prevention, Assistance, and Procedures for Determination of Fitness for Ministry, Employment or Volunteer Service. Overview of diocesan Safe Environment policies are included in the safe environment training and background check process on CMG.

    View or Download policies at https://www.dio.org/safeenvironment/policies
    ALL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
    School employees include Educators, Substitute Teachers, Support Staff (cooks, maintenance workers, office staff, nurses, etc.)
    Requirement Completion Where
    CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK THROUGH FINGERPRINTING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 Illinois law requires all school personnel to submit fingerprints for criminal background screening.

    Fingerprinting must be completed prior to the date of hire.

    		 School principals should provide applicants with application forms for the nearest fingerprinting location.

    Applicants can find the contact information for the fingerprinting agency on the application forms. Contact the agency to schedule an appointment to complete this process.
    POLICY CERTIFICATION DOCUMENT

    POLICY ON WORKING WITH MINORS (CODE OF CONDUCT)

    &

    LAY AND RELIGIOUS EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS

    TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS

    		 Review Policies §100, §1100, and §1200 respectively covering Clerical, Candidates in Formation, and Lay Employees and Volunteers Sexual Abuse of Minors: Policies for Education, Prevention, Assistance, and Procedures for Determination of Fitness for Ministry, Employment or Volunteer Service. Complete Policy Certification Document included fingerprint application forms.

    View or Download policies at https://www.dio.org/safeenvironment/policies

    The Policy Certification Document should be returned to the Office for Safe Environment with the DCFS/CANTS form every 5 years.
    SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 Must be completed within 60 days of being hired.

    If you have completed safe environment training in a different diocese, please contact the Office for Safe Environment as some trainings are transferrable.

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete the safe environment training through CMG, please contact your school principal.
    DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TRACKING SYSTEM FORM (CANTS FORM)

    TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS

    		 For instructions to complete a DCFS/CANTS check through CMG, please contact your school principal. Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    The DCFS/CANTS form is accessible on CMG Connect.
    DCFS MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED ANNUALLY

    		 Mandated Reporter training is completed online within 60 days of hire.  A copy of the certificate of completion is to be retained in the employee’s personnel file. To complete the online training go to: https://mr.dcfstraining.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action
    PRIESTS/DEACONS/SEMARIANS
    Requirement Completion Where
    CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK THROUGH FINGERPRINTING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 The Diocese of Springfield requires all clergy members to submit fingerprints for criminal background screening.

    Fingerprinting must be completed prior to the date of hire.

    		 The Office for Safe Environment will provide members of clergy with application forms for the nearest fingerprinting location.

    Find the contact information for the fingerprinting agency on the application forms. Contact the agency to an appointment to complete this process.
    POLICY CERTIFICATION DOCUMENT

    POLICY ON WORKING WITH MINORS (CODE OF CONDUCT)

    &

    LAY AND RELIGIOUS EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS

    		 Review Policies §100, §1100, and §1200 respectively covering Clerical, Candidates in Formation, and Lay Employees and Volunteers Sexual Abuse of Minors: Policies for Education, Prevention, Assistance, and Procedures for Determination of Fitness for Ministry, Employment or Volunteer Service. Complete Policy Certification Document included fingerprint application forms.

    View or Download policies at https://www.dio.org/safeenvironment/policies
    SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED ONCE

    		 Must be completed within 60 days of being hired.

    If you have completed safe environment training in a different diocese, please contact the Office for Safe Environment as some trainings are transferrable.

    		 Online via Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect

    For instructions to complete the safe environment training through CMG, please contact your school principal.
    DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TRACKING SYSTEM FORM (CANTS FORM)

    TO BE DONE EVERY 5 YEARS

    		 To obtain a CANTS form, contact your parish/school Safe Environment Coordinator or contact the Office for Safe Environment. The Office for Safe Environment is responsible for sending clergy’s completed CANTS forms to the Department of Children and Family Services. Please return form to the Safe Environment office and it will be forwarded to DCFS who will review the application for records of indicated allegations of abuse or neglect.
    COMPLETE ANNUAL DCFS MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING

    TO BE COMPLETED EVERY 3 YEARS

    		 Mandated Reporter training is completed online within 60 days of hire.  A copy of the certificate of completion is to be retained in the employee’s personnel file.

    As of January 1, 2020, Illinois Public Act 101-0564 requires members of clergy to be mandated reporters and completed the training every 3 years.

    		 To complete the online training go to: https://mr.dcfstraining.org/UserAuth/Login!loginPage.action