Safeguarding God's Children

Safeguarding God's Children is the program developed by Church Pension Group and Praesidium Religious Services which deals with prevention of child sexual abuse. For our diocese, we are adapting the program to include the diocesan Policy on Sexual Conduct, and adding modules for the protection of ALL of God's children, including adults. This program replaces the former two programs: Sexual Harassment and Child Sexual Abuse Recognition.

There are certified trainers in the diocese who are equipped to do the recertification training for churches, church affiliated schools, and programs for children and youth.

Safeguarding God's Children is the program which all licensed clergy must take. All lay people, including church employees, licensed Eucharistic ministers and Eucharistic visitors, vestries, and lay people who work with children and youth must complete this training.

Safeguarding God's Children provides participants with the information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and the ministries in which they serve. The program is based on the philosophy that if every adult can protect just one child, they will forever change one life. If we can all change one life, together we will make a difference in this generation of children.

1. Contact one of the diocesan trainers listed below.
2. Training sessions are limited to 50 participants per session
3. Congregations are asked to have a person from the pastoral care team available during the four-hour session (for participants who might need pastoral assistance)
4. Each trainer will send the list of the participant names/church affiliation to the Diocesan House. Each congregation will receive certificates.

 Safeguarding All God's Children training material:

(Adobe Acrobat required for all downloads)

Download the training manual

Download the elder abuse module

Download the diocesan policy on sexual conduct

Note: Safeguarding All God's Children training kits are available for purchase at a cost of $175 plus postage. Contact Tana Sembiante at (941) 556-0315, ext. 271

Trainers:

To find a trainer in your area, click here.

Upcoming training dates:
To post a training announcement on this page, e-mail or contact: Tana Sembiante at the Diocese at (941) 556-0315 Ext. 271.

May 17:
9:00 a.m. at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 706 West 113th Ave., in Tampa.
To register, call the church office at (813) 932-6204. The training will cost $5.00 per person.

May 18:
1:30 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd, 639 Edgewater Dr., in Dunedin.
To register, call the church office at (727) 733-4125. The training will cost $5.00 per person.

May 20:
6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. E., in St. Petersburg.
To register, call the church office at (727) 896-9641. Attendance fee of $5.00 will be charged to cover costs.

June 14:
9:00 a.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. E., in St. Petersburg.
To register, call the church office at (727) 896-9641. Attendance fee of $5.00 will be charged to cover costs.