SAFE CHURCH, SAFE COMMUNITIES
Welcome to Safe Church, Safe Communities (formerly known as Safeguarding God's Children)! In response to the Safe Church Model Policies that were adopted by General Convention, The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana has revised its expectations and guidelines for ordained and lay people in the church when engaged in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Our goal is to create safe and welcoming space for all children, youth, and vulnerable adults in our communities. We will continue to add new materials to this page, so check back periodically for additional screening and training information and resources. Please note that with these policy changes come new screening and training requirements (more information can be found in the Screening and Training section). Ordained and lay people engaged in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults should follow these guidelines for compliance with the revised policies:
| DIOCESAN ORGANIZATION | DATE OF REQUIRED COMPLIANCE |
| Camp Hardtner | Summer 2025 Camp Sessions |
| Schools | Beginning of 2025-2026 School Year |
| Churches and Other Institutions | Beginning of 2025-2026 Program Year (no later than September 10) |
For further information:
• For any questions regarding possible incidents or violations of any Safe Church, Safe Communities principles or policies by clergy or laity, contact one of the Intake Officers: The Very Rev. Rich Snow,
OR The Very Rev. Annie Etheredge,
.
• For any administrative questions regarding program requirements or compliance at the congregational or institutional level, contact the Rev. Whit Stodghill,
.
• For any administrative questions regarding background checks, contact the Rev. Whit Stodghill,
.
SCREENING AND TRAINING
Screening (see Safe Church, Safe Communities - Screening Expectations): Dioceses, congregations, and other organizations are required to screen all persons (employees and volunteers) before they engage in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Depending on a person’s ministry role, screening may consist of any of the following: public records check, written application, interview, reference verification. Clergy background checks are handled by the diocesan office. Anyone interested in any type of lay ministry should check with the clergy, administrator, or Safe Church Minister at their local congregation/other organization to determine screening requirements.
Training (see Safe Church, Safe Communities – Course Requirements): Safe Church, Safe Communities training is available through Praesidium Academy, an online program designed to increase awareness and prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults. There are two levels of training: Universal and Specialized.
Universal Training: Everyone who engages in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults must meet Universal Training requirements. Universal Training consists of four short, online modules that cover a broad overview of issues of vulnerability, power, and healthy boundaries and strive to equip all people to live out their Baptismal Covenant. To find these courses: (1) log in to your Praesidium Academy account; (2) scroll down to the Browse section; (3) go to the box labeled Program/Role; (4) click on the link for Safe Church Safe Communities-Universal. The required Universal Training modules are the following:
· Introduction & Theological Background
· Organizational Rule & Policies
· Healthy Boundaries
· Inclusion
Everyone who engages in ministry with children, youth, and vulnerable adults must also complete one additional course:
· Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter
To find this module, (1) log in to your Praesidium Academy account; (2) on the learner dashboard, scroll down the page to the area with thumbnail images of all of the available training courses. Continue to scroll until you seen the thumbnail for Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter and click on the link to start the course.
Specialized Training: Additional modules are also required for people engaged in certain ministries with children, youth, and vulnerable adults (see Safe Church, Safe Communities – Course Requirements.) To find the Specialized Training modules, (1) log in to your Praesidium Academy account; (2) scroll down to the Browse section; (3) go to the box labeled Program/Role; (4) click on the link for Safe Church Safe Communities-Specialty.
Any or all of these specialized training modules may also be required by local congregations or other organizations at the discretion of the clergy leadership (bishop, rector, vicar, priest-in- charge), warden (in absence of clergy leadership), or other organizational leader (camp director, head of school). Check with your local church or other organization to determine if you should complete any specialized training modules.
To begin the training courses, you must first create an account with Praesidium Academy (see How to Create an Account with Praesidium Academy). If you already have an account with Praesidium Academy, click here to sign in and begin training.