You play a vital role in keeping your the church a safe place. Praesidium Academy modules provide instruction on proper boundaries to create a Safer Church and Safer Community.

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The policy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac is that abuse and sexual misconduct by a Church Worker shall not be tolerated. The diocese shall employ procedures to implement this policy that:

• attempt to prevent the occurrence of abuse and sexual misconduct in church settings
• educate church workers to raise awareness of issues surrounding abuse and sexual misconduct through materials, workshops and other means,
• respond appropriately to alleged incidents of abuse and sexual misconduct.

Policy and Procedure Manual

Background Check Resources

Watch Overview Video

"Church worker" is any person, both volunteers and employees, doing a job or duty on behalf of the church (diocese, congregation, or agency).
​For additional information, contact the Diocesan Office at (920) 830-8866.

Modules Needed

Church workers include clergy, lay employees, Sunday School teachers, youth ministry volunteers, vestry members, Altar Guild members, ushers, Eucharistic Visitors, Vacation Bible School volunteers – anyone doing more for the church than simply attending. Modules needed depend on the church worker role.

​All church workers need to take the foundation modules – a total of seven (7) modules. In addition to the foundation modules, additional modules may be needed based on your role as a supervisor or working with children, youth or vulnerable adults, or in a specialized ministry area.

​Every church worker is encouraged to take other modules in addition to those listed here when they are relevant to their duties.

Taking Modules

​Be prepared to take each module by creating conditions for learning without interruption or distraction.

• Plan 15-20 minutes for each module.
• Take your time and read carefully to fully understand content.
• Absorb what you’ve learned and complete each module completely in one sitting.

​Best practice is to take a few modules in each learning session. 

​Foundation Modules

All church workers need to complete.

• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Introduction & Theological Background
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Inclusion
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Healthy Boundaries
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Organizational Rule & Policies
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Abuse & Neglect
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Bullying
• Policies: Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac

​Supervisory Modules

Church workers who have supervisory duties need to complete. This includes clergy, wardens, ministry directors, music directors and others in similar positions.

• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Pastoral Relationships
• Safeguarding God's People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Managers & Supervisors
• Keeping Your Church Safe
• Duty to Report: Mandated Reporter
• Social Media Safety

​Ministry Modules

Church workers who do not have supervisory duties need to complete.
This includes vestry members, ministry team members (altar guild, ushers), nursery workers, and others in similar positions.

• Safeguarding God's People: Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers
• Safe Church, Safe Communities: Power and Relationships
• Abuse Risk Management for Volunteers
• Social Media Safety

​Other Modules

Church workers who are engaged in specific ministry areas need to complete.

• Recognizing Abuse & Exploitation in Elder Serving Programs – Church workers who work with elder serving programs (for example, Eucharistic Visitors).
• Preventing Sexual Activity Between Young Children – Church workers who work with children/youth serving programs (for example, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers).
• Keeping Your Overnight Camp Safe – Church workers who work at an overnight camp setting (for example, counselors, support staff).
• Keeping Your Day Camp Safe – Church workers who work with a day camp or similar program (for example Vacation Bible School).

​Refresher Module

All church workers, every three years after initial module completion

• Abuse Prevention Refresher