Here at GMC, we love children and want them to grow up in a safe environment.  So we have developed and implemented a children/youth protection policy so that all of our activities are lead by qualified and vetted volunteers and staff.  Here is what we are committed to do in order to reassure all of our parents.

 

Context:
We live in a society that suffers from social confusion, dysfunctional behavior and addictions of many natures. The church is not immune from the potential of abuse or neglect of children, either by its members or those in leadership positions. The victimization of children crosses every racial, social, economic and religious boundary. This policy reflects a commitment of Groveland Missionary Church to protect children in our care from harm and abuse.

We will diligently strive to be a safe place for all children and adults who attend any fellowship or ministry activity, and we will not tolerate any type of abuse, especially targeted toward our children.

Rationale:
For the safety and protection of our children and workers, guidelines are necessary to allow us to maintain the ministry of our congregation as a safe place where we can trust one another. All compensated and volunteer child/youth workers are required to read, understand and comply with this policy. These guidelines is also recommended by our insurance liability company.

Purpose:
This policy not only protects the children and youth we are ministering to, but is also designed to prevent unfounded allegations of child/youth abuse. Since many volunteers may be involved with our child and youth programs, these guidelines are intended to build a sense of mutual trust and accountability. Expressing Christ’s love and compassion for children and youth is a beautiful reflection of Jesus in us. There must be unquestionable trust in these ministries among workers, parents and children.
Definitions: – in this policy, the following definitions will apply:

Child/youth – Any person under the age of 18.

Special Needs Person – Any adult or child requiring direct adult supervision as a result of physical or mental limitations or disability.

Adult – Any person age 18 or over.

Child abuse and neglect – Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect of a child by an adult or adolescent caregiver responsible for the child’s welfare.

Physical abuse – Maltreatment which results in physical injury, including but not limited to bruises, cuts, welts, fractures and internal injuries.
Emotional abuse – Maltreatment which results in impaired psychological growth and development, including, but not limited to, belittling, rejection, constant unequal treatment, verbal assaults, excessive demands on the child’s performance and isolation from normal social activities.Sexual abuse – Maltreatment which consists of sexual contact or interactions with a child, including but not limited to physical contact (fondling, genital/oral stimulation, sexual intercourse) and non-physical contact (exhibitionism, child prostitution, pornography, and voyeurism).
Neglect – Failure or inattention on the part of the caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and supervision.

Compensated workers – Hourly, salaried, part-time or full-time employees who work with children at any church sponsored activity.

Volunteer workers – Any non-compensated adult who works with children at any church sponsored activity.

Helper – any compensated or volunteer worker, ages 12-18 that aids adult(s) in the activity.

Leadership Team – the ministry team including all pastors and elders and other designated individuals

 

This policy will have four components:

Selecting and screening compensated and volunteer child/youth workers.
Accountability of compensated and volunteer child/youth workers.
Reporting procedures for suspected abuse.
Response plan to suspected abuse or allegations of abuse.

 

We will make this child protection policy available and the reading of it mandatory for all new childcare workers and will strive to provide opportunities for additional training classes or events as deemed necessary and appropriate. All compensated and volunteer workers are required to attend these training events.

 

Section I: – Selecting and Screening Compensated and Volunteer Child/Youth Workers
Volunteer workers must be regular attendees “in good standing” at Groveland Missionary Church for at least three months.

All compensated workers shall be members “in good standing” of Groveland Missionary Church.

All adults who will serve as child/youth workers must be interviewed indicating their experience, training and goals for being involved in the child/youth ministry. The leadership may also request basic information such as previous church affiliation, references and employment history.

Any criminal offenses will be indicated, and the volunteer will also explain if they have ever been accused, arrested or convicted of any sexually related crimes. These personnel files will be kept confidential at the church.

All adult compensated and volunteer child/youth workers shall be screened by a background check at the expense of Groveland Missionary Church for the purpose of obtaining information regarding criminal and abuse history. The results of these screenings will be kept confidential by authorized church staff. Background checks will be performed every two years.

Disqualifying offenses that will keep an individual from serving as a child/youth worker will be determined by the Leadership Team on a case-by-case basis in light of surrounding circumstances. However, convictions for an offense involving children will preclude someone from being permitted to serve in these roles. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction on the application form will also disqualify the individual.

All compensated and volunteer workers must read this policy and sign a letter of understanding.
Groveland Missionary Church will provide orientation and training appropriate to the level of responsibility.

Mandated reporting training as imposed by the state will be required for all workers. Training will need to be renewed every two years or as required by the state.

Other training for workers may be required if deemed necessary by the Leadership Team.

 

Section II: – Accountability of Compensated and Volunteer Child/Youth Workers
Physical Contact Guidelines
Touch is an essential part of nurturing. Volunteers should be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences, family backgrounds, individual personalities, special needs and sexual development. Physical contact with children/youth should be age appropriate.

There shall not be any kissing, extended hugging or inappropriate touching of any child or youth.

Physical punishment will never be used. All interactions regarding discipline must be done with the consideration of the person’s dignity and self-esteem. Discipline is to be carried out through instruction, training and verbal correction. Gentleness, respect and understanding must guide all actions and words.

Workers with youth should never pursue or engage in a dating relationship with the youth. The Leadership Team should always be aware of youth who may develop an attraction to a child/youth worker.

Bathroom Procedures
Parents or guardians are strongly encouraged to take their children to the bathroom prior to going to classrooms.

Volunteers should keep the door open when going into a bathroom stall to assist a child. If the bathroom is one open room, the worker/volunteer should remain outside the bathroom door. If the child requires assistance, the volunteer should prop open the bathroom door while assisting the child.

Health Procedures
First aid kits are located around the facility (in the kitchen, office and nursery.) It is at the discretion of the worker as to whether the parent or guardian should be immediately notified of any minor accident. For any first aid application, parents or guardians should be informed. No medicine should be given without instructions from the parent or guardian. Even for a minor injury, the parent or guardian should be called if the child so requests.

Groveland Missionary Church will not store or dispense any medication (prescription or over the counter) to children/youth in our care.

Children/youth who require medications during ministry times must have a parent or guardian hold the medication and administer it. Children or youth may self-administer medication with a signed order from a physician.

Children with communicable diseases, profusely runny noses, fever or persistent coughing should avoid contact with other children.

For long-term events (such as a trip, retreat, etc.) medication may be administered with the following guidelines:
The parent or guardian must submit in writing to the worker his/her request for administering the medication, instructions for use, side effects, precautions, etc., including the parent or guardian’s signature.
The medication must be in the original container with the label intact and be carried by the worker/volunteer.

General Guidelines
Every effort will be made to have a minimum of two adults working together with children. In a Bible Study or similar teaching environment, it is acceptable to have individual classes/groups with only one adult caregiver provided there are other adults present in the general area. This protects the children and the adults, as well as providing a safer situation in the event of an accident or emergency.

The Pastor and Leadership Team must approve any activities that are held off site. There shall be a minimum of 2 adult caregivers present with a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children. Overnight events that are attended by children of both genders must be chaperoned by adult caregivers of both genders.

Photos of any child or youth will not be used without the permission of the parent or guardian.

All helpers under the age of 18 must be under the supervision of an adult and must never be left alone with a child/youth except in an emergency. No child/youth worker will meet alone with a child or youth for a private meeting without a parent or guardian’s consent.

It is recognized that certain counseling and ministerial situations may preclude the presence of two adult caregivers and that the general guidelines for the supervision of caregivers should not restrict situations where individual counsel and guidance is necessary. In this case, the door must be left open, or the window of the door shall remain uncovered. Video or audio recordings may be used for the sole purpose of protection for both the counselor and the child/youth.

A file will be kept for each child who is a regular attendee with an emergency contact, information about allergies, physical limitations or medical concerns.

Nursery: Normally, the only adults permitted in the nursery are parents or scheduled workers. Helpers can assist with care. At least one adult beyond high school age should be present in the nursery at all times when children are present.

In situations where it is not possible to follow these policies, exceptions may be made with the written approval of parents and/or the pastor and other Leadership Team.

 

Section III: – Reporting Procedures
All teachers, youth leaders, compensated and volunteer child/youth workers involved with children (birth – 18 years) shall immediately report any suspicions or concerns that relate to child abuse, inappropriate behavior or child neglect. The report should be confidential and should include the reporting of individual’s observations, complaints or suspicions.

If a child offers information, it should be taken seriously. The problem should not be denied. Emotional support should be given but the volunteer should not pressure the child for details.

Specific behaviors to watch for include:

Inappropriate comments about sexual matters.
Use of pornography.
Excessive and inappropriate attention to a particular child/youth, especially a desire to be alone with a child/youth.
Any form of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect. Examples include kissing, extended hugging, or inappropriate touching of any child/youth.

Report the suspicious behavior to the appropriate staff person, youth leader or member of the Leadership Team. The senior pastor also must be notified. If the behavior is required by law to be reported, the worker shall contact the Children and Youth Service Agency. Strict confidentiality on these issues will be maintained.

Any reported incident should not be discussed with others. It is the responsibility of the senior pastor and the Leadership Team to process the incident, documenting each conversation or contact as it takes place.

Child/youth workers may have the opportunity to become aware of abuse or neglect of the children under our care that is occurring outside our church. In the event this occurs, this should be reported immediately to the senior pastor for further action including reporting to authorities as may be mandated by state law.

 

Section IV: – Response Plan to Suspected Abuse or Allegations of Abuse
In the event an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred at Groveland Missionary Church or during a program or activity that we sponsor, the senior pastor shall lead the following process. If the senior pastor is the accused, a member of the Leadership Team shall lead the following process:

Designate someone to speak with the individual(s) involved to determine the facts and report to the senior pastor. The senior pastor or Leadership Team should determine the appropriate action.

The senior pastor may seek counsel with appropriate persons regarding next steps and whether there is a need to report the incident to legal authorities. Such action would be based upon a consensus of the Leadership Team. The Leadership Team may review the plan for follow-up in any particular situation with legal counsel prior to or during implementation of follow-up.

The senior pastor may notify parents/guardians of alleged abuse, contingent upon advice from Child Protection Services or law enforcement agencies.

The worker alleged to be a perpetrator of the abuse of misconduct will immediately be placed on leave from working with children during the investigation.

If the reported incident appears to be true, the incident must be reported immediately to our insurance company.

We will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of abuse as the law requires.

We will cooperate with any investigation of the incident by state or local authorities.

Any person who is found guilty of the alleged abuse or misconduct will be permanently removed from their position with children or youth. The senior pastor and/or the elders will confront the offender about their sinful, harmful behavior and plan a recovery process to help the offender find forgiveness and freedom in Christ.

The senior pastor of the congregation will be our spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect, unless he or a family member is alleged to be involved, in which case, a member of the Leadership Team will be the spokesperson. All other workers should refrain from speaking to the media.

Pastoral care resources will be provided to the victim and their family as desired.

 

Addendum A: This policy may be updated or changed by the Leadership Team as deemed necessary for changing conditions or church growth.