At St. Rose CYO, we are committed to maintaining a safe environment for all parish and community members. In accordance with the Diocese of Rockville Centre (DRVC) - Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, all St. Rose CYO staff and volunteers must adhere to diocesan and parish safety practices and guidelines. 

To serve as a staff member or volunteer with St. Rose CYO, you must complete and keep up with the following requirements:

1. Virtus "Protecting God’s Children" Class: This is a one-time training that must be completed before beginning your role. 
2. Code of Conduct: You must sign the Code of Conduct form once before starting your position. 
3. Background Check: A background screening is required and must be renewed every 5 years. 
4. Virtus Monthly Training Bulletins (for coaches only): Coaches must read the monthly training bulletins sent by Virtus. If you have five or more unread bulletins, your Virtus account will be automatically deactivated. To reactivate your account, contact the DVRC coordinator listed below. Make sure your email address in your Virtus account is up to date so you continue receiving bulletin reminders. 

• All of these steps are required to remain eligible to participate in St. Rose CYO.

How to Create a Virtus Account and Complete the Requirements 

To fulfill any Virtus requirements, you must first create a Virtus account. Please follow these steps carefully.

• Step 1: Visit the Virtus Website
• Go to www.virtusonline.org. Click the green "First-Time Registrant" button to begin creating an account. 
• If you already have a Virtus account, log in using your existing credentials on the homepage. 
• If you’ve forgotten your login details, click the blue "I Need Login Help" button. 
• If you're unsure whether you already have an account, contact the DVRC Coordinator of Compliance (listed below) before continuing.
• Step 2: Start the Registration Process 
• Click “Begin the registration process.” 
• From the drop-down list, select the organization: “Rockville Centre, NY – Safe Environment (Diocese)”. This is the correct option for all St. Rose CYO and parish volunteers.
•  When asked, “Have you previously registered with VIRTUS Online?”, select “No”. 
• ⚠️ If you have registered before, you must recover your login. You cannot create a duplicate account.
• Step 3: Create Your Login
• Choose a user ID and secure password. It is recommended that your password is at least 8 characters and includes one capital letter, a number, and a special character.
• Step 4: Fill Out Your User Profile
• Complete your personal information: name, address, email, etc. 
• From the location drop-down menu, choose: “St. Rose of Lima CYO (Massapequa)” .
• Under role, check the box for “Volunteer.” Important: CYO seasonal workers (referees, scorekeepers, venue monitors, etc.) must also select “Volunteer.” Do not select “Employee”—this is only for diocesan staff.
• Enter your title or position (e.g., “Parent Volunteer,” “CYO Coach,” “CYO Seasonal Worker”). 
• If you serve at multiple locations (e.g., catechist, school parent), you will be prompted to add those by answering “Yes” or “No” to the question: “Are you associated with any other locations?”

• Step 5: Acknowledge the Codes of Conduct
• You will be asked to digitally sign two Codes of Conduct. It is strongly recommended that you download, print, and review these documents for your records. 
• If prompted, answer whether you will be working with minors: Select “Yes” if you are a religious education catechist, CYO coach, or school parent. Seasonal workers and parent helpers do not need to check this box.

• Step 6: Register for a Virtus Training Session
• You will now select a Virtus “Protecting God’s Children” session to attend. 
• When asked if you’ve already attended a session, select “No” to see the list of available workshops. 
• Choose the session that works best for your schedule. Be sure to check for any notes (e.g., sessions held in a different language). 
• 🔹 You are not required to attend a session at the parish where you plan to volunteer.
• Step 7: Complete the Background Screening
• After registering for a session, you will be prompted to complete your background check. 
• Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your background screening.
• Final Step: Attend the Virtus Workshop
• Once your background check is submitted and your Virtus session is complete, your account will be fully Safe Environment Compliant.