Safe Church Training and Prevention
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is committed to fostering communities of trust, healing, and justice. Our Safe Church and misconduct-prevention programs uphold the dignity of every human being and help ensure churches, schools, and ministries are places where all people can experience the love of God.
Preventing misconduct and responding appropriately when it occurs is not simply policy or canon compliance. It is a faithful response to Jesus’ call to love one another, modeled in the Baptismal Covenant. Training, clear guidelines, and robust reporting and response systems help safeguard every person’s spiritual and physical well-being.
Diocesan policies originate in the model Safe Church policies established by The Episcopal Church through General Convention. New diocesan policies were adopted in spring 2025. The Diocesan Office is the primary resource for congregational and diocesan-institution leadership questions about policies, implementation, training, background checks, and key-holder agreements.
Questions about individual training or access to Praesidium should be directed to the local Praesidium administrator. Each worshipping community in the Diocese should have an administrator.
Contacts
- Julie Kelly, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Finance, ext. 227, jkelly@ladiocese.org: Praesidium training access and support.
- Anilin Collado, Missioner for Human Resources, ext. 250, acollado@ladiocese.org: human-resources questions and general background checks.
- Missy Morain, Missioner for Christian Formation, Children and Youth, ext. 245, mmorain@ladiocese.org: policies, implementation procedures, audits, training questions, and LiveScan background checks.
For policy questions, email SafeChurch@ladiocese.org and the appropriate diocesan staff member will respond.
Safe Church policies
- Safe Church policies in English (PDF, opens in a new tab)
- Políticas y procedimientos en español (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Training and resources
Online and limited in-person training is available in English and Spanish through Praesidium. Sign in to Praesidium (opens in a new tab).
- Tier A training guide (opens in a new tab)
- Tier B training guide (opens in a new tab)
- Tier C training guide (opens in a new tab)
- LiveScan fingerprinting information and requirements
Reporting and support
The Diocese has procedures for investigating and addressing misconduct allegations involving any member of the Diocese.
External reporting
For known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of minors, contact the California Department of Social Services (opens in a new tab). For known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, contact Adult Protective Services (opens in a new tab). If a minor or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger or you witness abuse, call 911.
Internal reporting
After external reporting, make an internal report to the Diocesan Office for suspected or known abuse, exploitation, or neglect; sexual harassment; discrimination; policy violations; injuries; bullying; and other concerning incidents.
Lay reporting: Submit the Confidential Notice of Concern form (opens in a new tab). For questions, email confidentialnotice@ladiocese.org.
Clergy reporting: Contact Title IV intake officer Thomas Discavage at tdiscavage@ladiocese.org or 213.482.2040. You may also submit the Confidential Notice of Concern form (opens in a new tab).
Safe Church Annual Self-Audit
Every congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is required to complete the Safe Church Self-Audit annually. This audit is more than a checklist. It is an opportunity for each worshipping community to pause, reflect, and consider how we are creating environments where children, youth, and vulnerable adults are protected, respected, and able to participate fully in the life of the Church.
As you complete this self-audit, we encourage you to celebrate the practices that are already serving your congregation well and to identify areas where additional attention or improvement may be needed. Creating safer churches is the shared work of the whole community, and regular reflection helps us continue to grow in that ministry.
You do not need to complete the audit in one sitting. Your progress will be saved, and you may leave the form and return later to finish it before submitting.
Thank you for your commitment to helping our churches remain places where all people can worship, learn, serve, and grow in faith with confidence and care.
Complete the Safe Church Annual Self-Audit online here (opens in a new tab).