Safe Church

Safe Church training is required for the following: All clergy and pastoral leadersAll lay staffLay staff or volunteers involved in ministries with children and/or youthIndividuals involved in ministries with vulnerable adults (Eucharistic Visitors, pastoral care givers)Vestry membersKey holders For a list of required courses for each of these ministry areas, please go to the section “Required Courses by Ministry Area.”

You are required to take Safe Church training for your ministry area every three years. If you begin serving in a new ministry, you may be required to take additional courses.

Once we have processed your volunteer registration, you will receive an email from the Safe Church training system, Praesidium Academy. This email comes from the address “Praesidium Do Not Reply” and may end up in your spam folder. Follow the instructions in the email to create an account in Praesidium Academy and obtain access to the courses. Praesidium Academy can be accessed at any time using the URL praesidiumacademy.com.​The email from Praesidium Academy will include the list of courses you are required to take for your ministry area(s). We encourage you to complete the training within 30 days.​Once you’ve completed the training, please email Sami Burns at samantha@graceocala.org. You will receive an electronic copy of your Safe Church transcript.

Please reach out to a member of our staff, either Sami Burns or Catie Hourigan (352) 622-7881.Helpful tip: Praesidium Academy serves the broader Episcopal Church, meaning parts of our system are standardized and we are unable to customize the settings. Because each registration is personally handled by our staff, please allow until the end of the business day for your access to be set up.

Children’s Ministry Worker or Volunteer – Minister, Choir Director, Sunday School  Teacher, Nursery, Parent Helper 1. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Introduction and Theological Background” 2. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Organizational Rules & Policies” 3. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Healthy Boundaries” 4. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Abuse & Neglect” 5. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Inclusion” 6. “Safeguarding God’s People :Preventing Harassment for Managers & Supervisors” (for  those with Supervisory responsibilities) 7. “Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers” 8. Safe Church, Safe Communities - Specialty Training “Bullying” 9. “Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter”Elected Positions – Treasurer, Vestry, Wardens, Convention Delegates 1. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Introduction and Theological Background” 2. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Organizational Rules & Policies” 3. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Healthy Boundaries” 4. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Power & Relationships” 5. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Inclusion” 6. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Pastoral Relationships” 7. “Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers” 8. Safe Church, Safe Communities - Specialty Training “Bullying” 9. “Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter” Key Holders – Altar Guild, Building Hosts, Renters 1. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Introduction and Theological Background” 2. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Organizational Rules & Policies” 3. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Healthy Boundaries” 4. “Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter” Lay Leadership – LEM, LEV, Small Group Leaders, Unpaid Church Staff 1. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Introduction and Theological Background” 2. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Organizational Rules & Policies” 3. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Healthy Boundaries” 4. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Power & Relationships” 5. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Abuse & Neglect” (for those who do home and/or  hospital visits) 6. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Inclusion” 7. Safe Church, Safe Communities - “Pastoral Relationships” 8. “Safeguarding God’s People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers” 9. Safe Church, Safe Communities - Specialty Training “Bullying” 10. “Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter”