GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
To ensure that a nurturing Christian environment for children/youth is maintained within the congregation, to protect children/youth who participate in activities sponsored by the church from sexual, mental, and/or physical abuse, and to protect the congregation’s members from false allegations of abuse, the congregation has adopted the following policy:
1. Child Abuse Prohibited: Those who accept the special responsibility of working with the congregation’s children/youth shall not violate that responsibility by causing physical injury, which is non-accidental; mental injury, which is non-accidental; sexual abuse or serious physical neglect of children/youth; or any other act described as child abuse in the appendix.
2. Sexual Abuse Prohibited: Those who accept the special responsibility of working with the congregation’s children/youth shall not violate that responsibility by having any interaction with a child/youth where the child/youth is being used for sexual stimulation of the adult or a third person regardless of whether or not the behavior involves touching, or any other act described as sexual abuse in the appendix.
3. Two Approved Adults Rule: Two Approved Adults should be present during any church sponsored children/youth activity. (The only standard exception to the “two Approved Adults” policy is in the youth mentoring program – see full description below)
In some instances where unforeseen circumstances result in two Approved Adults not being present (for example, an unexpected absence of a teacher on a Sunday morning) a designated Approved Adult will circulate outside the classroom area or be within easy reach to provide assistance if needed.
In a mixed group, whenever possible, a male and a female Approved Adult should be present.
Volunteers (youth between the ages 16-20 caring for children up to age 12) or occasional care assistants may work under the supervision of Approved Adults.
4. Visibility: All activities/meetings with children/youth must be conducted in a way that allows visibility, e.g., glass areas of doors should not be obstructed, curtains/blinds should be open, when possible, door should be open or a window should allow easy observation of the room. Where possible, conduct activities in a public place, with another person within sight and sound of the activities.
Because abuse is sometimes perpetuated by an older, stronger child/youth,
do not send two children/youth with a four or more year age difference to an isolated setting, e.g., bathroom, tent, empty classroom
5. Bathroom and Diapering: In general, children should be encouraged to use the bathroom before and after classes or other activities. In this way parents can assist as needed.
If you need to take a child to the toilet, be aware of your visibility and the child’s privacy, e.g., Approved Adult or caregiver stands holding public bathroom door open while child enters toilet stall alone.
Diapering: An Approved Adult or caregiver must be present when clothes or diapers are being changed. A parent can also be recruited to change clothes or a diaper.
Two and Three Year Olds: An Approved Adult or caregiver must accompany children to and from the bathroom and inform another approved caregiver when this takes place. The caregiver will assist the child only when necessary. If assistance is needed, the caregiver must leave the stall door open.
Preschool: An Approved Adult or caregiver must accompany preschoolers to the bathroom. The caregiver will remain outside the stall. If assistance is required, the approved adult or caregiver should encourage independence but can assist with minimal tasks if necessary (belts, snaps, etc.).
6. Empty Room Policy: After an activity, check rooms to ensure that all participants have vacated the room.
7. Expressions of Affection: True expressions of affection toward children/youth can be a manifestation of Christ’s love for all of us. A kind word of encouragement to a child/youth or a pat on the back can be a small but significant act for both the adult and the child/youth. That being said, adults must use caution and common sense when physically expressing affection toward children/youth. a. Respect a child's/youth's refusal of affection b. Be aware of appropriate hand placement. A child/youth or an observer could misinterpret a pat on the bottom or a bear hug. Note that a body-to- body embrace; a touch on private areas, those areas covered by a bathing suit; or a kiss on the mouth is inappropriate. c. Discipline of any type involving physical contact is not permitted.
Permission Slips, Overnight Activities, Transportation
8. Permission Slips: General-Children/youth must have permission to participate in activities. Parents/guardians need to complete and return a Child and Youth Registration form, which includes pertinent medical information and emergency phone numbers, a medical release, and general permission for field trips. These forms will be updated every year during the month of September and filed in the church office.
Specific-Children/youth must have permission to participate in any overnight activity or any activity that takes place away from church grounds. The permission must be written, signed by a parent or guardian, and must identify the activity in which the child/youth will be participating. The Safe Sanctuary Coordinator and/or person designated by the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator may waive the requirement for permission slips where a permission slip serves no useful purpose (for example when a child/youth is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian to the activity).
Medical Release Forms for field trips: All youth participating in a youth group or going on a field trip with either a youth group or the Christian Ed Class must have a Medical Release Form on file before they will be allowed to participate.
A copy of the completed form will be kept on file in the Church office.
Each time a field trip or overnight event occurs, the original must be taken with an adult leader while a copy remains in the Church office.
9. Overnight Activities: Overnight activities involving children/youth shall be chaperoned by at least two Approved Adults. Boys and girls will sleep in separate areas with at least two Approved Adults of the same gender directly supervising each group. If the minimum level of supervision cannot be achieved, the activity must be cancelled; this may result in the loss of deposit fees for which the church cannot be responsible.
10. Transportation of Children/Youth: When children/youth are transported for Church activities they shall be transported in groups with at least one Approved Adult in each vehicle. All children 8 years and under must have appropriate booster or car seat if being transported by vehicle.
11. Personal Vehicle Transportation. To transport children/youth in a personal vehicle, the driver must be 21 years of age or older. Drivers must have a copy of their driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance on file in the church office. Anyone who has had their license revoked or suspended within the past five years will be ineligible to drive for youth activities.
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The following forms are located in the Appendix:
Child/Youth Registration Information Form (Medical & General Permission)
Parent or Guardian permission for Special Activity
Nursery- Registration, Medical information & Release
Nursery Sign-in Sheet
Nursery Guidelines
Sign-Up Sheet for each classroom
To ensure that a nurturing Christian environment for children/youth is maintained within the congregation, to protect children/youth who participate in activities sponsored by the church from sexual, mental, and/or physical abuse, and to protect the congregation’s members from false allegations of abuse, the congregation has adopted the following policy:
1. Child Abuse Prohibited: Those who accept the special responsibility of working with the congregation’s children/youth shall not violate that responsibility by causing physical injury, which is non-accidental; mental injury, which is non-accidental; sexual abuse or serious physical neglect of children/youth; or any other act described as child abuse in the appendix.
2. Sexual Abuse Prohibited: Those who accept the special responsibility of working with the congregation’s children/youth shall not violate that responsibility by having any interaction with a child/youth where the child/youth is being used for sexual stimulation of the adult or a third person regardless of whether or not the behavior involves touching, or any other act described as sexual abuse in the appendix.
3. Two Approved Adults Rule: Two Approved Adults should be present during any church sponsored children/youth activity. (The only standard exception to the “two Approved Adults” policy is in the youth mentoring program – see full description below)
In some instances where unforeseen circumstances result in two Approved Adults not being present (for example, an unexpected absence of a teacher on a Sunday morning) a designated Approved Adult will circulate outside the classroom area or be within easy reach to provide assistance if needed.
In a mixed group, whenever possible, a male and a female Approved Adult should be present.
Volunteers (youth between the ages 16-20 caring for children up to age 12) or occasional care assistants may work under the supervision of Approved Adults.
4. Visibility: All activities/meetings with children/youth must be conducted in a way that allows visibility, e.g., glass areas of doors should not be obstructed, curtains/blinds should be open, when possible, door should be open or a window should allow easy observation of the room. Where possible, conduct activities in a public place, with another person within sight and sound of the activities.
Because abuse is sometimes perpetuated by an older, stronger child/youth,
do not send two children/youth with a four or more year age difference to an isolated setting, e.g., bathroom, tent, empty classroom
5. Bathroom and Diapering: In general, children should be encouraged to use the bathroom before and after classes or other activities. In this way parents can assist as needed.
If you need to take a child to the toilet, be aware of your visibility and the child’s privacy, e.g., Approved Adult or caregiver stands holding public bathroom door open while child enters toilet stall alone.
Diapering: An Approved Adult or caregiver must be present when clothes or diapers are being changed. A parent can also be recruited to change clothes or a diaper.
Two and Three Year Olds: An Approved Adult or caregiver must accompany children to and from the bathroom and inform another approved caregiver when this takes place. The caregiver will assist the child only when necessary. If assistance is needed, the caregiver must leave the stall door open.
Preschool: An Approved Adult or caregiver must accompany preschoolers to the bathroom. The caregiver will remain outside the stall. If assistance is required, the approved adult or caregiver should encourage independence but can assist with minimal tasks if necessary (belts, snaps, etc.).
6. Empty Room Policy: After an activity, check rooms to ensure that all participants have vacated the room.
7. Expressions of Affection: True expressions of affection toward children/youth can be a manifestation of Christ’s love for all of us. A kind word of encouragement to a child/youth or a pat on the back can be a small but significant act for both the adult and the child/youth. That being said, adults must use caution and common sense when physically expressing affection toward children/youth. a. Respect a child's/youth's refusal of affection b. Be aware of appropriate hand placement. A child/youth or an observer could misinterpret a pat on the bottom or a bear hug. Note that a body-to- body embrace; a touch on private areas, those areas covered by a bathing suit; or a kiss on the mouth is inappropriate. c. Discipline of any type involving physical contact is not permitted.
Permission Slips, Overnight Activities, Transportation
8. Permission Slips: General-Children/youth must have permission to participate in activities. Parents/guardians need to complete and return a Child and Youth Registration form, which includes pertinent medical information and emergency phone numbers, a medical release, and general permission for field trips. These forms will be updated every year during the month of September and filed in the church office.
Specific-Children/youth must have permission to participate in any overnight activity or any activity that takes place away from church grounds. The permission must be written, signed by a parent or guardian, and must identify the activity in which the child/youth will be participating. The Safe Sanctuary Coordinator and/or person designated by the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator may waive the requirement for permission slips where a permission slip serves no useful purpose (for example when a child/youth is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian to the activity).
Medical Release Forms for field trips: All youth participating in a youth group or going on a field trip with either a youth group or the Christian Ed Class must have a Medical Release Form on file before they will be allowed to participate.
A copy of the completed form will be kept on file in the Church office.
Each time a field trip or overnight event occurs, the original must be taken with an adult leader while a copy remains in the Church office.
9. Overnight Activities: Overnight activities involving children/youth shall be chaperoned by at least two Approved Adults. Boys and girls will sleep in separate areas with at least two Approved Adults of the same gender directly supervising each group. If the minimum level of supervision cannot be achieved, the activity must be cancelled; this may result in the loss of deposit fees for which the church cannot be responsible.
10. Transportation of Children/Youth: When children/youth are transported for Church activities they shall be transported in groups with at least one Approved Adult in each vehicle. All children 8 years and under must have appropriate booster or car seat if being transported by vehicle.
11. Personal Vehicle Transportation. To transport children/youth in a personal vehicle, the driver must be 21 years of age or older. Drivers must have a copy of their driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance on file in the church office. Anyone who has had their license revoked or suspended within the past five years will be ineligible to drive for youth activities.
16
The following forms are located in the Appendix:
Child/Youth Registration Information Form (Medical & General Permission)
Parent or Guardian permission for Special Activity
Nursery- Registration, Medical information & Release
Nursery Sign-in Sheet
Nursery Guidelines
Sign-Up Sheet for each classroom
