Safe Church, Safe Communities Administration

This page is for Safe Church Administrators. Here you can find detailed instructions on how to use Praesidium Academy, training session information and Frequently Asked Questions.

 
 

Course Order Suggestion & Times

  • Introduction & Theological Background - 20min

  • Rules & Organizational Policies - 20min

  • Power & Relationships - 45min

  • Pastoral Relationships - 20min

  • Healthy Boundaries - 25min

  • Inclusion - 20min

  • Abuse & Neglect - 15min

  • Bullying - 10min

 

New User Instructional Video

 
 
 

In-Person Training Course Completion

Administrators: Please keep an electronic copy of who has completed what course and the date. Below is a sample Excel sheet you can use. Praesidium is currently working on a way for The Episcopal Church to add in in-person training and you will be notified when that is complete.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Administration:

·       Are there instructions on how to set up a new user in Praesidium Academy? 

  • Yes.  You can find step-by-step instructions HERE, and find and video that walks you through the process HERE. We will also have LIVE Zoom sessions on June 7 at 12pm or June 13 at 5:30pm.  Please register if you would like to take the training.

·       How do I know what courses each person needs to take?

  • A chart can be found HERE, or on the website, where you can see which courses a person needs to complete based on their role in the congregation.

  • How long are each of the courses?

  • Most of the courses are approximately 20 minutes. Power & Relationships approximately 45 minutes.

·       What do I do if no one will take on the role of Safe Church Administrator?

  • The position can be broken into two different roles.  One person can set up new users in the system while another keeps track of who has completed courses and prints reports when needed.

·       Who monitors the training in each congregation?

  • The administrator(s) is tasked with monitoring the congregation. 

  • Training should be completed within six months of a member taking on a role in the congregation.

  • A report will need to be handed in in advance of the Bishop’s visitation to your congregation.

·     Who is responsible for ensuring that those who need to renew their learnings are notified in a timely manner? Does that happen automatically through Praesidium or is that a responsibility of the congregational administrator?

  • Praesidium Academy will send a yearly reminder that your courses need to be renewed. Diocesan policy states that you need to complete the training every three years. The administrator should reach out to congregation members to let them know when they are due for renewal as well.

What do I do if someone loses their login information?

  • First, go into Praesidium Academy and see if you can Resend Invite when you look them up. If that is not an option, they will need to go to https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/ and click on Forgot Password to reset their password.

  • You also should be able to add a new password into the system for them if they so choose.

How do I complete my training as an administrator?

  • You need to switch to the learner mode. At the bottom left of the screen, you will see three vertical dots. Click on the dots and choose Switch to Learner.  This will take you to the page that all others see when they log in. Scroll down and you will be able to choose your modules from there. Do not take courses on the administrator page under Content. This is a Preview, you will not get course credit for taking courses here.

Training & Certification:

·       What if someone in our congregation doesn’t have access to the internet or the skills to take the online training?

  • We encourage each congregation to be creative in finding ways to help members without internet access, for example, taking the training together as a group.

·       Can we take the training as a group?

  • Yes.  If you would like to take the training in a group setting you can certainly do that.  One person will need to log in to their account at Praesidium Academy and navigate through the course.  You can send a list of who completed the course(s) and what course(s) were completed to Amy Mellies at amellies@iowaepiscopal.org, or support@praesidiuminc.com

·       How often would this training need to be renewed?

  • Training needs to be completed every three years as the Diocesan Policy states.

·       What happens to congregations with vestry members who cannot/will not complete the training? 

  • By not completing the training members are putting the congregation as a whole at risk. If claims are made against the church you risk legal implications.

  • With specific roles, (ie. Eucharistic Visitor, Children/Youth Minister) not completing the training, they would need to step away from their role until the training is completed.

·       Is there a possibility of grandfathering in those who have recently taken previous Safe Guarding God’s Children training

  • No.  Safe Church, Safe Communities training is a brand new curriculum that coincides with the new diocesan policy.  The focus of Safe Church, Safe Communities is on keeping all populations in the church safe, not just children and vulnerable adults.

·       If someone has completed similar training from another source, such as their work in a volunteer position, can that count for their training as well.

  • While all training within our communities is important, Safe Church, Safe Communities is specifically designed for the Episcopal Church and those involved in our congregations. If you are required to complete a similar training for your work or for another volunteer position, you would be required to complete their specific training as well.

·       Is training necessary for supply clergy? 

  • Yes.  Congregations do not need to keep track of whether their Supply Clergy have completed training.  That will be taken care of by the Diocesan Administrator.

·       What about a contract employee(s) such as an organist?

  • If a contract employee is not a key holder, and only comes into the building when others are around, then no, they do not need to complete the training.  If they are provided with a key and can access the building at any time, yes, they need to complete the training.

 

Diocesan Policy:

·       Who monitors background checks, criminal/sexual abuse, driving, and credit checks?

  • This is a discussion that the vestry should have. The administrator, Priest, or Senior Warden are all possibilities. 

  • These checks should be kept confidential and in a locked area if printed out. Electronic copies can be kept in a safe location.

·       Does permission need to be given to run a background check?

  • Yes.  There is a permission form in the diocesan policy.

·       How do I run a background check?

  • There are several ways you can run a background check.

·         What do we do if something comes up in a background check?

  • We suggest that the person who completes the background check has a conversation with the priest/person-in-charge as well as the person involved first.  If there are still concerns or questions regarding whether or not this person can continue in their position (paid or volunteer) you can contact the diocesan administrator.

  • Who is the Diocesan Intake Coordinator?

·       Do we have to use the forms listed in the Appendices?

  • No.  You can use the forms or not.  You can also modify the forms listed in the Appendices to use as your own.

·       Can we post photos of people if we do not have a signed permission form?

  • In a group setting/public event, yes.  If you have people involved in a private church event, we would suggest getting their consent, whether verbal or written, before posting their photos online.

  • When posting photos of others online please refrain from tagging those people.  They may tag themselves if they would like.

·       We have a computer in a common space.  Do we need a password in order to log on?

  • We would suggest having a dual password system, one for adults and one for youth which can be monitored.  “Extensions” can be added to your web browser for added protection for children and youth.

·       Our communion wine is out of sight, but not locked up.  Do we need to lock it up?

  • Yes.  Any kind of cabinet with a lock would be fine.