TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Policy on Education and Training
This policy will be available to the entire congregation in a manner, and at a web- based and/or physical location, that is easily accessible. New members will be directed to the web or physical location, and/or given a copy of the policy.
In order to be an Approved Adult, a volunteer or staff member must participate in an initial training that covers recognizing and responding to child abuse, mandated reporting requirements, and church guidelines and practices. A refresher course for all Approved Adults will be held at least every two years. Volunteers or staff who cannot attend sessions in person will be required to review a tape (video, audio) or a Power Point of the training prior to serving with youth. Adults will not be approved to take care of children until after they have completed the required training.
All Approved Adults and staff will receive a full copy of the Child/Youth Protection Policy and Guidelines, sign a Statement of Compliance and sign a Child Protection Covenant.
Procedures for Education and Training
Staff and Volunteers
1. Training will be offered at the beginning of each Christian Education semester. It will be considered a mandatory part of volunteer training and employee orientation. The initial training for each new staff person and volunteer will be at least one hour.
2. Once an individual has participated in the initial training, a refresher training of at least one hour will be required every two years to ensure that the individual's knowledge is current and accurate.
3. The Church’s Safe Sanctuary Coordinator will maintain a record of who has received training and the dates.
4. Training will include the use of professional training materials on child abuse, including specific information about child sexual abuse, behavioral signs, and how to respond to a disclosure; the grooming process sexual offenders often use to engage children; a review of policies and procedures that are specific to Laurel Street Mennonite Church and pertinent to the work in which the employee or volunteer will be involved, and instruction in the use and completion of the various forms.
Parents and other Congregants
Child Abuse Awareness education will be offered at least once each year for parents and other congregants, and shall include information about the spiritual, as well as psychological and physical, impact of abuse. The educational sessions will be at least one hour in length, may be provided in various formats, such as an adult education class, a whole-congregation meeting, a special workshop in the evening or weekend, etc.
Children and Youth
Christian Education curriculums on healthy physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries, including sexual abuse prevention, shall be offered for several weeks at least once every two years. The purpose is to provide our children and teens with the opportunity to receive age-appropriate information in a faith-based context to help them to recognize inappropriate conduct on the part of an adult or older child, and to empower them to say "no," and tell a “safe adult” at church, home, school. Teachers will be provided with any needed training, as well as curriculum material to use.
Policy on Education and Training
This policy will be available to the entire congregation in a manner, and at a web- based and/or physical location, that is easily accessible. New members will be directed to the web or physical location, and/or given a copy of the policy.
In order to be an Approved Adult, a volunteer or staff member must participate in an initial training that covers recognizing and responding to child abuse, mandated reporting requirements, and church guidelines and practices. A refresher course for all Approved Adults will be held at least every two years. Volunteers or staff who cannot attend sessions in person will be required to review a tape (video, audio) or a Power Point of the training prior to serving with youth. Adults will not be approved to take care of children until after they have completed the required training.
All Approved Adults and staff will receive a full copy of the Child/Youth Protection Policy and Guidelines, sign a Statement of Compliance and sign a Child Protection Covenant.
Procedures for Education and Training
Staff and Volunteers
1. Training will be offered at the beginning of each Christian Education semester. It will be considered a mandatory part of volunteer training and employee orientation. The initial training for each new staff person and volunteer will be at least one hour.
2. Once an individual has participated in the initial training, a refresher training of at least one hour will be required every two years to ensure that the individual's knowledge is current and accurate.
3. The Church’s Safe Sanctuary Coordinator will maintain a record of who has received training and the dates.
4. Training will include the use of professional training materials on child abuse, including specific information about child sexual abuse, behavioral signs, and how to respond to a disclosure; the grooming process sexual offenders often use to engage children; a review of policies and procedures that are specific to Laurel Street Mennonite Church and pertinent to the work in which the employee or volunteer will be involved, and instruction in the use and completion of the various forms.
Parents and other Congregants
Child Abuse Awareness education will be offered at least once each year for parents and other congregants, and shall include information about the spiritual, as well as psychological and physical, impact of abuse. The educational sessions will be at least one hour in length, may be provided in various formats, such as an adult education class, a whole-congregation meeting, a special workshop in the evening or weekend, etc.
Children and Youth
Christian Education curriculums on healthy physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries, including sexual abuse prevention, shall be offered for several weeks at least once every two years. The purpose is to provide our children and teens with the opportunity to receive age-appropriate information in a faith-based context to help them to recognize inappropriate conduct on the part of an adult or older child, and to empower them to say "no," and tell a “safe adult” at church, home, school. Teachers will be provided with any needed training, as well as curriculum material to use.
