SAFE CHURCH, SAFE COMMUNITIES
The Episcopal Church is committed to protect all of God’s beloved from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation. The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan offers resources to help your parish or institution maintain a place that is safe for all.
A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERY PERSON
The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan commits to creating safe environments, especially for children, youth, and vulnerable adults, from sexual, physical and/or personal abuse or exploitation.
As part of the policies and procedures for the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, all people who engage in pastoral relationships must do the following:
1. familiarize themselves with the diocesan Safe Church policies;
2. complete Safe Church training every three years;
3. submit to a background check every five years.
These training modules and our diocesan policies for Safe Church are intended to provide you with the tools and insights to take an active role in keeping our communities safe. They will give our communities a vocabulary for discussing the issues of sexual misconduct and harassment and assist in and teach all of us healthy boundaries and loving ways to interact with the children and other adults in our midst. This will further the crucial mission of transforming all of our churches into truly safe spaces for God’s beloved children.
COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING
If you have any questions, you can contact the Praesidium Academy Support Team at support@praesidiuminc.com or 817-801-7773 or contact Safe Church administrator Angela Krueger.
TO ENROLL:
- Go to https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/redeem
- Fill in your contact information including First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and desired Password.
- Enter the appropriate registration code for your organization.
(Find your parish’s registration code here.) - Click Validate to confirm registration code.
- Click the checkbox to agree to the Terms & Conditions.
- Click Redeem.
- Write down your user login and password for future reference.
- Answer the Registration Questions about your status and role within the organization.
(View the required courses by position/role in your parish.) - Click Save & Continue.
- To begin taking training immediately, scroll down and click a course to start the content.
DOWNLOADS/LINKS:
- Quick Start Guide (directions listed above)
- EDEM Parish Registration Codes
- Required courses by position/role in your parish (Spreadsheet)
- Required courses by position/role in your parish (List)
These 3.5-4 hour training sessions are offered for those who wish to participate in the Safe Church, Safe Communities training in a community setting (on Zoom) rather than through the online, self-directed platform. This is not a “train-the-trainer” opportunity.
Note: If you receive notice that “Registration is closed” prior to the event date it means that the training is full. Please choose another date and see if there is availability.
These training sessions are offered for those who wish to participate in the Safe Church, Safe Communities training in a community setting in person rather than through the online, self-directed platform. This is not a “train-the-trainer” opportunity.
- Monday, October 9, 2-5 pm at St. Mary’s in Cadillac – REGISTER
- Facilitated by The Rev. Radhajyoti Kaminski
- Wednesday, October 18, 2:30-5:30 pm at St. Andrew’s in Big Rapids – REGISTER
- Facilitated by The Rev. Radhajyoti Kaminski
- Sunday, October 22, 12:30-4 pm at St. Andrew’s in Big Rapids – REGISTER
- Facilitated by The Rev. Radhajyoti Kaminski
- Sunday, November 5, 12:30-4 pm at St. Mary’s in Cadillac – REGISTER
- Facilitated by The Rev. Radhajyoti Kaminski
Our hope is that each region will have several leaders trained and available to facilitate Safe Church, Safe Communities, both in online and in-person settings in addition to the existing resources for self-directed training via the Safe Church website.
The one-session, 3 hour training includes an overview of the various sessions within the revised Safe Church, Safe Communities curriculum, a deep dive into our bi-diocesan Safe Church policy, and resources for facilitation.
All those seeking training to facilitate the Safe Church, Safe Communities curriculum must be adults (over 18) and members in good standing of an Episcopal congregation (or Lutheran congregation in collaboration).
Additionally, each trainer must be generally familiar with technology — able to use Google Docs, email, and Zoom. When facilitating in-person trainings, the trainer must be able to project content from a website. When facilitating online trainings, the trainer must be able to host a Zoom meeting and be able to (or to recruit assistance to) screen share.
Note: If you receive notice that “Registration is closed” prior to the event date it means that the training is full. Please choose another date and see if there is availability.
- No upcoming dates have been announced.
To request in-person training or to find a trainer nearby, please email Angela Krueger who serves as our diocesan Safe Church Administrator.
POLICIES & RESOURCES
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Policies for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults
- Confidential Notice of Concern – Misconduct or Policy Violation reporting form
- Recommended Practices and Guidelines for Social Media and Electronic Communications with Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults
- Screening and Training Protocols
- Policy Compliance Agreement Form to be filled out by all working or volunteering within our churches and organizations
- Authorization to Conduct Background Check – when submitting background check form please include a clear copy of Drivers License or State ID.
- Sample Application for those working with Children and Youth
- State of Michigan Background Check (Free for Registered Tax-Exempt Nonprofits)
FAQ'S about training
How do I participate in a training?
There are two options for training:
- Online self guided training through modules on Praesidium Academy.
- In person or on zoom with a trained diocesan trainer. Contact Angela Krueger to schedule a training or identify trainers near you.
How do I know if I need to take a training?
Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required for:
- All clergy – those ordained and those in the ordination process
- All employees
- All volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults
- Agencies of the Diocese
- Maintenance and clerical employees
A thorough list of the Screening and Training protocols from our policy manual can be found here.
If I am taking the online self-guided training - how do I know what modules I need to take?
If you prefer a table: Here is a spreadsheet of recommended courses for staff and volunteer positions.
If you prefer a list: Here is a document of recommended courses for staff and volunteer positions.
How often do I need to be re-certified?
Safe Church, Safe Communities training is required to be done at least every 3 years in the Episcopal Church.
How is training tracked?
If you have taken training online through Praesidium Academy: There is a learner dashboard on your Praesidium Academy account that will show you which courses you have completed. You can also print your course transcripts from your Academy Account. Safe Church Administrators can also access records on Praesidium Academy.
If you have taken a training in person or on zoom hosted by a live trainer: Record of your training is on file in your diocesan office.
Contact Person:
SYSTEM, CERTIFICATION & RECORDS
Angela Krueger
Bishop’s Assistant
akrueger@eastmich.org
Contact Person:
DIOCESAN Policy, TRAIN-THE-TRAINER & AUDIT
McKenzie Knill
Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Formation
mknill@eastmich.org
TRAINER RESOURCES
Please use the password provided to you to access the Safe Church, Safe Communities trainer resource page.
If you have lost the password please email McKenzie Knill who serves as the Director of Children, Youth and Young Adult Formation.
