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 before commencement 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.

Complete Policy Certification Document included in background check application forms.

View or Download policies by clicking here.

The Policy Certification Document should be returned to the Office for Safe Environment with other criminal history background check application forms.

Department Of Children & Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse And Neglect Tracking System Form (CANTS Form)

To Be Done Every 5 Years

These forms are included in the criminal background check application packet.

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 volunteer’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.

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.

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

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 in background check application forms.

View or Download policies by clicking here.

The Policy Certification Document should be returned to the Office for Safe Environment with other criminal history background check application forms.

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

These forms are included in the criminal background check application packet.

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 volunteer’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 DCFS Mandated Reporter Training

To Be Completed Every
Three 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.

To complete the online training, please click here.

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

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 in background check application forms.

View or Download policies by clicking here.

The Policy Certification Document should be returned to the Office for Safe Environment with other criminal history background check application forms.

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

These forms are included in the criminal background check application packet.

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 volunteer’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 Year

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, please click here.