Safe Church | Safe Communities
What is Safe Church?
The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane is committed to ensuring that its churches, schools, and institutions live out our Baptismal promises by providing an environment free of abuse, exploitation, and harassment. The Diocese of Spokane provides resources to ensure that every person’s dignity is respected and protected.
Who Needs – Safe Church Safe Communities Certification?
All Clergy, All Employees, All Contracted Service Providers and Charters, Vestries/ Bishop’s Committees, Eucharistic Visitors, Leaders and Facilitators of Ministries, and all Adult Volunteers of Children’s Ministries and Schools.
Who Needs – Safeguarding God’s People in the Workplace, Harassment Certification?
All Employees, All Clergy and All persons in Pastoral Relationships
Diocesan-approved training on issues of sexual harassment in employment, mentor and colleague relationships and sexual exploitation in pastoral relationships will be required of all clergy, persons in Pastoral Relationships, and paid personnel in program ministries. Although other paid personnel are not required to attend the adult sexual abuse prevention training, it is encouraged for all paid personnel in the diocese. The training is also strongly encouraged for Supervisors and Decision-Makers of the congregations
If you would like to check on your Safeguarding Certification Status or have any questions regarding the Safeguarding program at your parish or school, please contact the diocesan office at (509) 624-3191.
How often & when?
Clergy and Lay: It is required that you complete your Safeguarding training’s within 90 days of hire. New Church Personnel, whether paid or volunteer, must review the Code of Sexual Ethics and Professional Conduct policy when they start work. Required diocesan-approved training should be completed within six (6) months of starting work, and renewed every three (3) years. If you’re due for re-certification, please coordinate with the Safeguarding Records Administrator.
Contacts
For more information regarding Safeguarding training, please contact the Rev. Cn. Susan Cleveley, the diocesan office (office) at (509) 624-3191.
Reporting Misconduct
The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane has procedures in place for investigating and addressing allegations of misconduct on the part of any member of the Diocese. If you wish to make a report concerning possible misconduct or abuse, contact: The Rev. Cn. Kristi Philip, 509-624-3191 (office)
Train with Safeguarding Online
New Learners
To set up an online learner profile and begin training, please follow the instructions in this quick start guide.
Quick Start Guide: How to start training online
Organizational registration Codes for Enrollment online
Returning Learners
If you have taken any online training in the last 4 years, you should have already received an email from Praesidium inviting you to sign in and reset your password. Please check your spam or promotions folder if you cannot find it, and save Praesidum as a “safe email.”
Returning users may log in by heading to Praesidium Academy. Once there, enter your email and password. If you do not remember your password, or need to reset your password, select the “Forgot password” option for a password reset email. You may need to
Technical Specifications for using Armatus.
Courses Required for Completion
1. Policies: Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
2. All four “Safe Church Safe Communities – Universal,” which includes: Introduction & Theological Background, Inclusion, Healthy Boundaries, and Organizational Rules & Policies
3. All four “Safe Church Safe Communities – Specialty,” which includes: Power and Relationships, Pastoral Relationships, Bullying, and Abuse & Neglect.
We are currently waiting for the new modules on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation to be released. At this time, you can
1. EITHER complete the “Safeguarding God’s People” modules still listed in the course catalog (just search for “Safeguarding God’s People”).
a. The courses are:
“Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors” (For clergy, and managers/supervisors) OR
“Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers”
2. OR you can wait for the new modules to be added and complete those instead.
Whichever option you choose, all modules will count towards your renewal.