Safe Church Training
Information for Congregational and Organizational Safe Church Administrators
The Episcopal Church has always strived to be a safe place for all to gather, to learn, and to worship. For decades we have had programs in place to set appropriate standards and provide education for protecting the vulnerable among us. Embracing a culture of safety and accountability to one another helps us create healthy communities of faith.
Our Safe Church policies come from the General Convention of the Episcopal Church with training developed by the Safe Church Task Force in collaboration with the Faith Formation Office and Legal Affairs of The Episcopal Church. Oversight for Safe Church is maintained by the Faith Formation Office at The Episcopal Church. Praesidium Academy provides the platform for Safe Church training.
In Oklahoma, the Diocesan Council adopted new Safe Church policies in 2022, in compliance with General Convention policies.
Below you will resources and more information for your leadership and congregational Safe Church administrator related to the adoption and implementation of Safe Church policies and training. The Diocesan Office is the primary resource for congregational leadership and Safe Church administrators.
Have questions about Safe Church? Contact a member of the staff below.
Teresa Phares, Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries, for questions regarding:
Background Checks, Praesidium Administrators, and Praesidium Academy Modules, both for content and who is required to take which modules.
Email: tphares@epiok.org
Kate Bond, Director of Faith Formation and Discipleship, for questions regarding:
Safe Church policies, Best Practices, and Policy Adoption/Implementation.
Email: kbond@epiok.org
Judith Rodriguez, Executive Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, for questions regarding:
Safe Church assistance for all clergy and/or persons in the ordination process.
Email: jdelgado@epiok.org
Safe Church Resources:
Reporting Procedures:
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma has procedures in place for investigating and addressing allegations of misconduct on the part of any member of the Diocese.
For reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of minors or vulnerable adults, contact OKDHS using the 24-hour hotline: (800) 522-3511. If you suspect abuse of a vulnerable adult you can also file an online report at OKHotline.org.
If the minor or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger or if you witness the abuse you should call 9-1-1.
Lay Reporting:
To make a report concerning possible misconduct, policy violations, or abuse/neglect involving a layperson in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma please the Confidential Notice of Concern form to safechurch@epiok.org.
If reporting a violation in a congregation or institution, you should contact appropriate authorities first, as outlined in the Reporting Procedures, this may include law enforcement, DHS, and/or congregational or institutional leaders.
Clergy Reporting:
To make a report concerning possible misconduct, policy violations, or abuse/neglect involving a member of the clergy please contact one of the Title IV In-Take Officers:
Kelly Masters-Newton kmastersnewton@icloud.com (405) 537-3903
OR
The Rev. Robby Trammell robwtrammell@gmail.com (405) 740-4104
Procedures and Resources:
We are the Episcopal Church in Oklahoma.