Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders in the Diocese of Olympia,

In accordance with The Episcopal Church’s Safe Church, Safe Communities program, Universal Training is now offered for certification for Children/Youth and Vulnerable Adults. Universal Safe Church training fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people and covers a broad overview of issues of vulnerability, power, and healthy boundaries. Universal Safe Church training is designed to equip all people to live out their Baptismal Covenant.

The required nine courses for universal Safe Church training are listed below. All nine trainings should take 2 1/2-3 hours to complete (total). These courses were selected in consultation with The Episcopal Church Task Force to Develop Model Sexual Harassment Policies and Safe Church Training, of which Judy Andrews, Diocesan Chancellor, has served as Chair. 

1. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Universal Training: Inclusion
2. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Universal Training: Healthy Boundaries
3. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Universal Training: Organizational Rules & Policies
4. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Universal Training: Introduction and Theological Background
5. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Power & Relationships
6. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Pastoral Relationships
7. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Bullying
8. Safe Church, Safe Communities – Specialty Training: Abuse and Neglect
9. Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter

Instructions for signing up to take the courses, and submitting your completion form for certification, can be found using the button below. Universal Safe Church certifications are valid for three years.

There are no longer separate certifications for Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People for the online program. Instead, a universal Safe Church certification has been established for ministries with all people. Additional courses are available through the Praesidium Academy, such as "Social Media Safety," "Know Your Policies," "Keeping Your Day Camp Safe," etc. Though not required, these are available to anyone at any time.We encourage you to take a look through the offerings.

In-Person trainings may still be held, and the separate Safeguarding God’s Children and People certifications will remain in place until the new in-person curriculum is available from The Episcopal Church, later this fall or early next year.

If you are already certified in Children, People, or both, your certification will remain valid until it’s expiration. You do not need to take the new modules if you are already certified, however, you may wish to, and that is more than welcome

If you have questions about the Safe Church online update, Model Policies, etc, you may reach out to me at acaballero@ecww.org. If you have technical questions about the online platform, Praesidium, or your certification status, you may reach out to Tonja May at tmay@ecww.org.

Grace & Peace,

April Caballero

Executive Assistant to the Office of the Bishop

Diocesan Safe Church Administrator