In the Archdiocese of Detroit, safe environment programs protect everyone. These programs provide valuable knowledge, assistance, and support to prevent harm to young people and vulnerable adults. All parents, children, and those who work and/or volunteer in the Archdiocese of Detroit are required to complete an age-appropriate safe environment program. At St. Mary of the Hills, we ask all our employees and volunteers to join our commitment to protecting the vulnerable. 

Requirements for Employees & Volunteers

Safe Environments

St. Thecla parish and school Safe Environments Program Requirements for Employees & Volunteers

All employees or volunteers must complete the following Safe Environment program requirements before they begin their assigned duties:

• Sign up for a Virtus Account or obtain access to your Virtus account if you already have one. Virtus is a database that tracks compliance with AOD Safe Environment program requirements. Scroll down for instructions to help you sign up or recover your password.
• Read and electronically sign the AOD Code of Conduct. You will be prompted to sign the Code of Conduct within your Virtus account.
• Fill out and electronically sign a background check authorization form. You will be prompted to give the required information for a background check authorization and then asked to digitally sign the form within Virtus. The background check authorization form agrees to periodic criminal background checks – every year for employees, every two years for volunteers. Your information will be securely stored in Virtus.
• Register for and complete the Protecting God’s Children/Vulnerable Adults training module. You can complete training online or in person. You must complete updated training every three years. You will be prompted to register for a training module within your Virtus account.

NEW Virtus Users: Virtus Account Registration Instructions

• Go to the Virtus website. Click here for the Virtus website
• Select the First-Time Registrant link
  • Begin the registration process
  • From the drop-down list of organizations, select Detroit, MI (Archdiocese)
• Create a username and password
  • Please note: both username and password are case-sensitive (meaning you will want to write down whether you capitalize the letters or not).
• Enter your personal information, including information needed for the background check authorization form
  • Such as date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity
• Select the parish or school where you work or volunteer
• Choose your role(s) and enter your title or what you do for the parish
• Answer whether you are associated with any other locations
• Answer questions about your contact with minors and/or vulnerable adults, and whether you manage people
• Read and digitally sign the AOD code of conduct
• Answer State of Michigan residency questions and sign
• Read and sign info about background check authorization form
• Review and electronically sign background authorization form
• Answer whether you have already attended a Protecting God’s Children session
• Select Training Session
  • Select the training session you would like to attend and click Continue to complete the registration process

Already Have A Virtus Account, but Don’t Know How to Log in?

• Go to the Virtus website. Click here for the Virtus website
• Click the “Need Login Information” link
• Follow the steps to reset your password or recover your username
• Still having trouble? Email gores@stthecla.com for help obtaining access to your account