——     Whole & Healthy Churches     ——

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is committed to fostering communities of trust, healing, and justice. Our Safe Church and Misconduct Prevention programs are grounded in the commitment to uphold the dignity of every human being and ensure that our 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 about compliance with policies or canons. It is a faithful response to Jesus’ command to love one another as modeled in The Baptismal Covenant. By providing training, establishing clear guidelines, and maintaining robust reporting and response systems, we work together to safeguard the spiritual and physical well-being of every person in our worshipping communities.

Our diocesan policies originate in the model Safe Church policies established by The Episcopal Church through General Convention. New diocesan policies were adopted in the Spring of 2025.

On this page, you will find resources and information for your leadership regarding Safe Church. 

The Diocesan Office is the primary resource for congregational and diocesan institution leadership for questions concerning misconduct prevention policies, implementation, training, background checks, and key holder agreements. 

Questions regarding individual training or access to Praesidium should be directed to your local Praesidium administrator. Each worshipping community in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles should have an administrator. 

Have a question about Misconduct Prevention Policies?

Contact a diocesan staff member or email SafeChurch@ladiocese.org and the correct staff member will respond:

Missy Morain, Missioner for Christian Formation, Children, Youth

ext. 245 | mmorain@ladiocese.org

Policies, Adoption, and Implementation Procedures, Audits, Training Questions  

Livescan background Checks

Safe Church policies

English

Spanish

Training & Resources

Training

Online and limited in-person training options are available, with ongoing updates to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Online training in English and Spanish exists through the Praesidium website. Each parish, mission, congregation, or school has an administrator.  

Sign in to Praesidium here. 

EDLA Training Guidelines [link]

EDLA Sample Training Letters

• Tier A
• Tier B
• Tier C

LiveScan

Livescan Fingerprinting Information and Requirements

Background Checks

EDLA Background Check Requirements [link]

Reporting & Support

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has established procedures for investigating and addressing allegations of misconduct on the part of any member of the Diocese.

External Reporting

For reporting known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of minors, contact the California Department of Social Services 

For reporting known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults contact Adult Protective Services

If the minor or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger or if you witness the abuse, you should call 9-1-1.

Internal Reporting

Internal reports to the Diocesan Office must be made following external reporting for all situations involving:

• Suspected or known abuse, exploitation, neglect
• Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Policy violations, Injuries, Bullying, and other concerning incidents.

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:

Thomas Discavage                                                      Norma Guerra tdiscavage@ladiocese.org                                     nguerra@ladiocese.org 213.482.2040                                                                   213.428.2040

You may also fill out the Confidential Notice of Concern form.

Title IV Resources

See the Title IV reporting proccess here.