CMG Connect Safe Haven is an online program that requires employees and volunteers to watch videos and answer accountability questions at the end of each segment, submit to a background check through CMG Connect initially and then re-certify in 5 years. The training can be done on a person’s own schedule and no in-person training is required which is a time-saving effort by not having to wait for a VIRTUS class in your area. The CMG Connect Safe Haven videos are available in English and Spanish. If a volunteer or employee does not speak either language, it will be up to the Safe Environment Coordinator at the parish to translate. Background checks are done through the CMG Connect portal with a company named Selection. Users will complete their own personal information which eliminates any paper forms and ensures the security of individual’s personal information. The background check is processed after meeting all of the requirements with the curriculum and the “meets criteria or does not meet criteria” results will be ready to review from the administrator dashboard. This process ensures user’s data cannot be compromised since the background check cannot be edited. Background checks will be required every 5 years.
The Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment policy will be available on line in addition to the appendices that can be electronically signed. Safe Environment Coordinators will have access to view whether an individual is in compliance with the requirements of the Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment policy. They will be able to view that the videos were completed, that a background check was completed and either “meets criteria” or “does not meet criteria”, that all documents have been signed or that any re-certification that is required is complete. This will make it easier for Safe Environment Coordinators to see that an individual is in compliance no matter where the individual is volunteering or working in our diocese. Individuals will be notified via email that they have met the diocesan requirements. Selection will monitor all individual background checks quarterly to ensure that nothing appears during the five year period that would cause the individual to become ineligible to volunteer or be employed. CMG Connect was designed to make audits easier. There are no complicated forms and all of the data pulls into a spreadsheet for review and prepared for USCCB audits. CMG Connect even allows for Keeping Kids Safe program training numbers to be entered, essentially creating one place for all of your data storage.
Those who have already been certified through VIRTUS and completed a background check within the past five years will only need to create an account on CMG Connect, enter in the date of their background check and watch the videos. Administrators will then verify their background check date and approve their account. They then will need to re-certify in five years through CMG Connect. Those individuals who have been VIRTUS trained and had a background check further than five years ago will be required to create an account on CMG Connect, watch the videos and submit for a new background check. They then will need to re-certify in five years through CMG Connect.
CMG Connect – Diocese of Knoxville Instructions for Volunteers without financial responsibilities Getting Started:
1. Go to https://Knoxville.cmgconnect.org/
2. Existing Users: Please do not create a new account. If you do not remember your username/password use “Forgot Username/ Forgot Password” or the blue Support button to recover your information.
3. New Users: Create a new account by completing all the boxes under the Register for a New Account area. This includes your address, primary parish, and how you participate at your parish or school. If you have questions please contact your parish/school coordinator.
4. Your dashboard will show you the required and optional training curriculums that have been customized for your particular role within the Diocese.
5. Click Start under the under the A. Safe Environment Curriculum (Volunteer NO FINANCIAL ROLE) - Knoxville to begin. NOTE: If you are a volunteer with monetary responsibilities (money counter, bookkeeper,etc) or an Employee you will need to return to the Dashboard to change your category selection by clicking on the ‘Edit Profile’ tab.
6. If you have NOT completed a background check since July 2015, you will need to take curriculum B. Background Check ONLY (Volunteer NO Financial Role). The curriculum will be marked “Resume” until your background check is processed and reviewed by the Diocese. Processing can take up to 7-10 business days.