Requirements for Employment and Volunteering

Requirements for employment and volunteering

Safe environment programs are in place to assist parents and children - and all those who work and volunteer in Archdiocesan parishes, schools, agencies, and Curia offices- in preventing harm to young people and vulnerable adults. Please read through the following steps regarding what the Archdiocese of Detroit, its parishes and schools, require prior to volunteering and employment:

These requirements apply to any volunteer at a parish or school-coordinated ministry or event, whether that happens on or off school property. Whether or not a volunteer or employee interacts directly with children or vulnerable adults, all volunteers play a role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our parish and school communities.

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CERTIFICATION

• First Time Users register here (Instructions for registration)
• VIRTUS will automatically send a notice of recertification fifteen days prior to the three-year anniversary of your most recent certification or recertification. This notice will be sent to the email address on file.

FINGERPRINTING & BACKGROUND CHECKS

• Fingerprinting is required for clergy (priests and deacons); archdiocesan, parish, and school employees; and any volunteers who work directly with children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Volunteers who do not work directly with children and/or vulnerable adults are required to undergo an iChat (Michigan State Police) background check every 2 years.
• Employees of third-party vendors doing contract work at Archdiocese of Detroit parishes or schools are not subject to our fingerprinting and background check policy.
  • All other contract employees are subject to our background check policy.
• Please read our background check and criminal convictions policy (updated August 1, 2026)
• Additional information and resources related to fingerprinting can be found at protect.aod.org/fingerprinting

CODE OF CONDUCT

• Code of conduct for volunteers: English | Spanish
• Pastoral code of conduct for employees, educators, priests, and deacons