1. You have had 1 initial “live” training within 3 years: After this initial “live” training, you complete an online refresher every three years;
2. You have consented to a background check every three years;
3. You have answered and signed off on the documents within the VIRTUS website.

I had an existing EApps Account

• Great! If your old account had previous training history, it has been converted to VIRTUS Online.
• Login to VIRTUS.org as an existing user. If you need help, click “I need login help,” reach out to your local site administrator, or contact the EIM Office ([email protected]).
• Once you are logged in, look at My Info to verify that all profile information is up-to-date, and look at Training History for your most recent workshop/training date (must be within the last 3 years to maintain compliance).
• If you did not have an EIM workshop recorded in your account, your account was not converted, and you will start as a new user.
• If you attended an EIM workshop more than 3 years ago it is expired, and you will be prompted to take the (appx. 70 minutes) online refresher training through VIRTUS Online. You must complete training prior to serving in ministry.
• If your EIM compliance is current, you will not be prompted to do anything at this time. Two months prior to your training/background check expiration date, you will be prompted via email to log in to VIRTUS.org and complete the training/background authorization form to avoid a lapse in compliance.

I am brand new to the EIM process

• Welcome! Please go to VIRTUS.org and click “first-time registrant”. Select Austin (Diocese) as your organization in the dropdown menu.
• Go through the registration process (appx. 5 minutes) and sign up for a live training workshop. You will see a list of workshops once you register. You need to attend a workshop within 30 days.
• The live training workshop is about 3-hours long and trains you to spot and report abuse as well as how to establish healthy boundaries. 

Guidance and Good Practice

•  You will only do the 3-hour live training workshop one time. After that, you will take the online refresher every three years to maintain compliance. You will be prompted every 3 years via email to complete the refresher. 
• You will also be prompted to consent to a background recheck every 3 years.
• Always keep your email address and contact info current in your EIM account and check your email regularly to make sure you do not miss any prompts from VIRTUS.
• EIM stands for Ethics and Integrity in Ministry. We are the safe environment department for the diocese.
• If you ever have a question regarding EIM, please reach out! Our email is [email protected] and our number is (512) 949-2447. 

Thank you for helping us protect all God’s children from harm.

If you have information that a person in ministry in this diocese abused a minor, elderly adult, or adult with a disability, report the information to your local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) online or by calling (800) 252-5400
 
After reporting to local law enforcement or DFPS, fax this form to (512) 949-2529, or mail it to:

Diocese of Austin, EIM Office
6225 E US 290 HWY SVRD EB
Austin, Texas 78723
 
If you prefer to make your report to the diocese by telephone, call (512) 949-2447.
 
Click here to learn how reports of abuse of a minor, elderly adult, or adult with a disability are processed by the diocese.