Safe Church
“We need Safe Church so that we are called back into right relationship.”
– The Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg
Officer for Racial Reconciliation, The Episcopal Church
About Safe Church
Safe Church (its official name is Safe Church, Safe Communities) is a Church-wide set of policies, training, and background-check requirements covering the safety and well-being of children, youth, and vulnerable adults. If you are a clergy person, pastoral leader, paid parish employee, vestry member, key holder with access to parish buildings, or any staff or volunteer who works with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, you must get Safe Church certification and renew it every three years.
Safe Church certification and renewal can be done online through Praesidium Academy, a third-party online training provider that hosts the curriculum. Our diocese and its parishes use Praesidium to deliver, track, and certify the required abuse-prevention training modules.
We also host several in-person Safe Church trainings each year, which make certifications and renewal simple, allowing you to get everything done at once. These training sessions usually last three to four hours.
Getting or Renewing Your Safe Church Certification
To request a new Praesidium account, email [email protected] or [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, email address, and church name and location in the email.
If you have previously signed into Praesidium, you will be able to use your username and password. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it on the login page.
Please note: Our Diocesan Safe Church policy training is now valid for three years (updated from five years based on requirements from The Episcopal Church).
Updated Requirements
- In order to receive your Safe Church certification (now required every 3 years), individuals may complete the required modules (roughly 10-20 minutes each for a total of 3 hours) online on Praesidium or attend a Safe Church training in person.
- In-person trainings are available upon request but are not required. All modules can be found online on Praesidium.
- See the Required Modules by Role section below for guidance on Safe Church module requirements.
- Individual churches, schools, and other entities should have a person designated as the Safe Church Manager who will keep track of clearances and Safe Church certification to ensure that volunteers are in compliance with requirements. Your Safe Church Manager can contact [email protected] to be added as an administrator on Praesidium.
For Clergy:
- All clergy must complete their safe church training every three years.
- Clergy should send Safe Church transcripts (which can be accessed on Praesidium) to [email protected]. Clergy should also keep a copy for their personal records.
All volunteers and employees in the Diocese of the Susquehanna are responsible for following the Safe Church policies and procedures manual of the diocese as well as abiding by PA child protection laws.
Upcoming Events
Safe Church In-Person Training
Safe Church In-Person Training
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Safe Church and why do we need the training?
Safe Church is a training program in the Episcopal Church that is required for many roles in the church.
I received a similar training at another job/organization. Do I still need to complete this training?
Yes. Safe Church, Safe Communities is specific to The Episcopal Church and includes theological underpinning for what we are doing and why, as well as policy and application that is unique to a church setting.
What modules are required for each role in the church?
See our module requirements list.
Who is responsible for volunteers at a church or school?
At each entity (congregation, non-profit, or school) there should be a person designated as the Safe Church Manager who will keep track of clearances and Safe Church certification to ensure that volunteers are in compliance with requirements.
If I am clergy, who do I send my documents to?
The diocese is responsible for keeping clearances (updated every 5 years), and Safe Church certificates (updated every 3 years) for all clergy. Please email a copy or mail a copy of your Safe Church transcript to the Bethlehem Diocesan Office once courses are completed. This can be found in your Praesidium account. Please also email copies of your updated clearances to [email protected].
Clergy members should keep a copy for themselves, and parishes should also keep a copy of clergy clearances and certification.
How often do I need to get recertified?
The requirement for recertification is every 3 years, based on the requirement from The Episcopal Church Safe Church Office. This is true for all roles and positions.
How do I get Safe Church certified or recertified?
You can get recertified on Praesidium or at an in-person training.
Clergy who attend an in-person training, you will need to complete 3 additional classes online on Praesidium.
- Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Pastoral Relationships (ENG)
- Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors (ENG)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Bullying (ENG)
Why does the Episcopal Church require Vestry members or other elected positions who don’t interact with children to take these courses?
Safe Church, Safe Communities, unlike Safeguarding Children (the former training) delves into issues that apply universally to anyone involved in a position of leadership in The Episcopal Church. While child abuse prevention is still a part of the training, there are more components. It is also important for vestry members and others in leadership to understand the why behind certain rules and regulations.
I have more questions. Who should I talk to?
The Diocese of the Susquehanna Safe Church Administrator is Tim Wagner. You can reach him at [email protected].
Safe Church Resources & Policy
Churches must complete an annual Safe Church Self-Audit. This form is a fillable PDF which can be completed electronically or printed and filled out by hand. It is intended for church records and does not need to be turned into the Diocesan Office. There will be an acknowledgement of completion in the Church Officers and Vestry Members Annual Report. A link to this report will be sent to your church in winter and it will be due in the spring.
Required Modules by Role
Each church and entity is responsible for ensuring compliance regarding Safe Church certification and clearances, as well as maintaining these records. Certification can be completed online or in person. The basic Safe Church training, in person, covers the majority of modules required by each role.
Training must be completed every 3 years. All clergy should send their transcripts to [email protected]. All other individuals should send their transcripts to their individual church or school office. It is recommended that individuals also retain a copy for their records.
Please be advised some of the modules address abuse or sensitive topics; if needed, please find someone to talk to, including a priest, mentor, or counselor. The following people have been designated as Safe Church, Safe Communities Chaplains:
- Deacon Michael Nailor, (570) 490-5699
- Deacon Anne Flynn
Other Resources:
- Local Crisis Intervention: Dauphin Co. (717) 232-7511.
- Suicide Hotline: 988
- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth Crisis Hotline): 1(866) 488-7386.
Clergy:
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Introduction & Theological Background (25 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Organizational Rule & Policies (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Healthy Boundaries (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Inclusion (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Power and Relationships (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Abuse & Neglect (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Pastoral Relationships (15 mins.)
- Duty to Report: Mandated Reporting (15 mins.)
- Safeguarding God’s People*: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors (15 mins.)
Church and Diocesan Employees:
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Introduction & Theological Background (25 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Organizational Rule & Policies (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Healthy Boundaries (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Inclusion (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Power and Relationships (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Abuse & Neglect (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Pastoral Relationships (15 minutes)
- Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors OR Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Employees (15 mins.)
- Duty to Report: Mandated Reporting (15 mins.)
All Other Roles:
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Introduction & Theological Background (25 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Organizational Rule & Policies (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Healthy Boundaries (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Inclusion (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Power and Relationships (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Abuse & Neglect (15 mins.)
- Safe Church, Safe Communities: Bullying (15 mins.)
- Duty to Report: Mandated Reporting (15 mins.)
Mandated Reporting
All people in Pennsylvania are encouraged to report known or suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Human Services immediately after becoming aware of such abuse/neglect. Mandated reporters are required to report suspected abuse/neglect immediately. All clergy and any roles where you have regular contact with or responsibility for children are mandated reporters. Find out if you are a mandated reporter.
Mandated reporters should report using the child welfare portal. Anyone can report suspected child abuse to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.
For more information on mandated reporting and in-depth training visit the Department of Human Services Mandated Reporter Training page.
All volunteers and employees in the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna are responsible for following the Safe Church policies and procedures manual of the diocese as well as abiding by the PA child protection laws.
Thank you for your commitment to keeping a safe environment in our congregations and communities. For more information, please contact 717-710-4800 x.225 or email the Diocesan Office.
Clearances
Background clearances are required for all employees, both clergy and lay, and anyone 18 years and older who is involved with and/or has oversight in children and youth ministries. You will need to complete the following clearances once every five years to be up to date.
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. Click on “Create Individual Account” or “Individual Login” if you already have an account.
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check* Scroll down to obtain the necessary code.
- Credit checks should also be completed for individuals with access to church finances, including treasurers, wardens, and others with significant financial authority.
* If you are employed by the church or have not lived in the State of PA for 10 years, you will need an FBI check; fingerprinting needs pre-registration. If you are a volunteer and have lived in Pennsylvania for the past ten years, you must affirm a ten-year Pennsylvania residency by signing the Volunteer Affirmation sheet.
How to Obtain Clearances
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearances can be completed electronically or by submitting a paper form. To file electronically, visit the online portal and click on “Create Individual Account” or “Individual Login” if you already have an account. To submit a paper form, download and print the paper Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification form and mail it to:
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
PO Box 8170
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8170
Keep in mind that as clergy and lay employees, you cannot register for clearances and background checks as a volunteer. You are considered an employee.
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Checks can be completed electronically or by submitting a paper form. To file electronically, visit the online portal and click on “Create Individual Account” or “Individual Login” if you already have an account. To submit a paper form, download and print the paper form for employees and clergy or paper form for volunteers to:
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
Keep in mind that as clergy and lay employees, you cannot register for clearances and background checks as a volunteer. You must register as an employee.
FBI Criminal Background Check
Go to the IdentoGO website and enter the service code:
For clergy and lay employees: 1KG756
For vestry members and all other volunteers: 1KG6ZJ
You will then be able to schedule an appointment at a fingerprinting site near you and learn what you’ll need to bring in order to facilitate processing.
Note for volunteers and other unpaid positions: If you are a continuous resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the last 10 years, you may fill out this affidavit in lieu of obtaining an FBI background check. (This does not include clergy or lay employees. All clergy and lay employees must receive an FBI background check.)
For more information about obtaining child abuse clearances and state/FBI background checks, visit PA’s DHS website.
Keeping Documents on File
Clergy:
Copies of your Child Abuse History Clearance, State Police Criminal Records Check, and FBI Criminal Background check must be stored in the diocesan office, as well as a secure location at your parish. You may email copies to [email protected].
Lay Employees and Volunteers:
Copies of your Child Abuse History Clearance, State Police Criminal Records Check, and FBI Criminal Background Check must be stored in a secure location at your church. A printout of your transcript from Praesidium Academy should be provided to the church as well.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact Timothy Wagner [email protected].
Tim Wagner, Safe Church Administrator, has been teaching and administering the Safe Church Program for the past four years. He has extensive experience in leadership and administration through this role and his career in law enforcement and investigations. Tim is available to answer questions, assist with your accounts, and provide in person classes upon request. Contact Tim with questions or concerns.