Safeguarding & Securing Our Churches
Below you will find resources for you and your parish to help ensure a safe church for all. If you have any further questions or need help with Safe Church, Safe Communities Training, please contact the Director for Lifelong Christian Formation, Eden Lewis.
The web address for online training is https://www.praesidiumacademy.com/
Jesus Christ calls us to loving relationships that are healthy and helpful to each other. The obligation to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being is binding for all the baptized. Educating and empowering the people of our diocese is central to creating and maintaining safe churches and activities for everyone.
The Diocese of Western North Carolina requires many ministry positions and volunteers to complete Safe Church Training. All Safe Church, Safe Communities Training is done through online modules by Praesidium Academy. Every church is encouraged to assign an administrator to keep track of parishioners' training. If you need help setting up an administrator, please get in touch with Eden Lewis.
Who is required to take Safeguarding Training?
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All clergy—whether stipendiary, non-stipendiary, or otherwise—who are engaged in any ministry or service to the church.
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All vestry members or members of similar decision-making groups who have the authority to approve the creation of ministries, programs, or activities for children or youth.
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All persons who teach, supervise, or assist with supervising children or youth in ministries, programs, or activities more than occasionally.
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All persons who provide transportation to children or youth more than occasionally.
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All paid or volunteer church personnel whose work regularly takes them throughout the facility or grounds, and/or who interact regularly with church members or the community.
Safe Church, Safe Community Training Guidelines
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FAQS for Administrators
Resources for Securing Our Churches
Background Checks
Active Screening Faith has been consolidated to Protect My Ministry. To set up an account please call the support number at 1-800-319-5581. Once you are approved, you will be sent a username and password to logon to the Protect my Ministry website. Then you can begin processing background checks using the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina (WNC) Screening package options.
Background Check Packages:
Staff Package: Base price of $37.50
Each educational institution and state have additional mandated processing fees. These fees are not covered in the base price; therefore, the total cost will increase by the cost of the fees. For example, the National Student Clearinghouse charges $8.76 per name searched as part of the education verification, and the state of North Carolina charges an additional $12.75 for the Motor Vehicle Record processed through the state.
The Initial Staff package includes the following information:
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National Sex Offender Registry Search
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National Criminal Database Search
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Education Verification (one record only; additional records cost extra)
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Federal by District Criminal Search
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MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)
Volunteer Package: Base price of $12.50
The base price does not include any state processing fees, which may be required to process the reports. Therefore, the total cost will increase by the cost of the fees. *Credit checks and DMV records can be added for an additional cost.
The Volunteer package includes the following information:
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National Sex Offender Registry Search
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National Criminal Database Search
For instructions on the steps to conduct a background check click here.
Note for Clergy
Protect My Ministry can be used for clergy seeking licensing only. For clergy new to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, or for any clergy who will have cure at a parish in our diocese, background checks will be done using Oxford Documents, and the cost for the background check will be incurred by the clergy or the parish they are serving. The initial cost for an Oxford Document background screening is $155 and can cost more depending on how many jurisdictions the clergy has lived. Please contact Jess Ives regarding Oxford Documents background checks.
Contact Info
Protect My Ministry: 1-800-319-5581or cs@activescreeningfaith.com
Diocese: Eden Lewis, Director of Formation & Discipleship
Safe Church Policies
There are several policies guiding the church in right relationships with children of all ages.