Faith Church seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children participating in our programs and activities. By implementing the below practices, our goal is to protect the children of Faith Church from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also protecting our staff and volunteers (workers) from false accusations.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the terms “child” or “children” include all persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. The term “team member” includes both paid and volunteer persons working with children.

Selection of Workers

All persons who desire to work with the children participating in our programs and activities will be screened. This screening includes the following

1. Grow-U Rule

   • No volunteer will be considered for any position involving contact with minors until she/he has gone thru the GrowU process of Faith Church. This interaction time between our leaders and the applicant allows for better evaluation and suitability of the applicant for ministering to children and helps the applicant get acquainted and familiar with Faith Church Systems.

2. Written Application

   • All persons seeking to volunteer with children must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The application will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into previous experiences with children, previous Faith Church affiliation, reference and employment information, as well as disclosure of any previous criminal convictions. The application form will be maintained in confidence on file at Faith Church.

3. Personal Interview

   • Upon completion of the application, an interview (over the phone or face-to-face) will be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position.

4. Reference Checks

   • Before an applicant is permitted to volunteer with children, at least two of the applicant’s references will be checked. These references should be of an institutional nature as opposed to personal or family references, preferably from organizations where the applicant has previously worked with children. Documentation of the reference checks will be maintained in confidence on file at Faith Church. 1. Rev 8/19

5. Criminal Background Check

   • A national criminal background check is required for all employees (regardless of position) and the following categories of volunteers:

     • Those who will be working with children under the age of 18

     • Those who will be involved in overnight activities with children

     • Those counseling children

     • Those involved in one-on-one mentorship of children

     • Those having occasional one-on-one contact with children (such as any Faith Church sponsored event including team leaders and vehicle drivers).

Before a background check is run, prospective team members will be asked to respond to an email authorization form allowing Faith Church to run the check. If an individual declines to sign the authorization form, s/he will be unable to volunteer with children.

What constitutes a disqualifying offense that will keep an individual from working with children will be determined by Faith Church Lead Pastor and Elders on a case-by-case basis in light of all the surrounding circumstances. Generally, convictions for an offense involving children and/or for offenses involving violence, dishonesty, illegal substances, indecency, and any conduct contrary to our mission will preclude someone from being permitted to volunteer with children. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction on the application form will also be a disqualifying event. The background check authorization form and results will be maintained in confidence on file at Faith Church.

Two Adult Rule

It is necessary that a minimum of two adult team members will be in attendance at all times when children are being supervised during our programs and activities. Some classes may have only one adult teacher in attendance during the class session; in these instances, doors to the classroom should remain open, and there should be no fewer than three students with the adult teacher. A volunteer who is also a minor may not be alone with one adult on our premises or in any sponsored activity unless in a counseling situation.

Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse

For this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) that endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological or emotional health and development. Child abuse occurs in different ways and includes the following:

• Physical abuse – any physical injury to a child that is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burns, and biting.

• Emotional abuse – emotional injury when the child is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling, and persistent teasing.

• Sexual abuse – any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between a child and another child at least four years older than the victim, including activities such as, but not limited to, fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, pornography, etc.

• Neglect – depriving a child of essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.

Team Members may become aware of the abuse or neglect of a child under our care. In the event of this happening, the Team Member should report immediately to their Department Director, who will, in turn, inform the Lead Pastor for further action, including reporting to authorities as may be mandated by state law.”

If an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred at Faith Church or during our sponsored programs or activities, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. The parent or guardian of the child will be notified.

2. The Team Member alleged to be the perpetrator of the abuse or misconduct will immediately be placed on leave from ministering to children pending an investigation and instructed to remain away from the premises during the investigation.

3. Civil authorities will be notified, and Faith Church will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of abuse as the law then exists. Faith Church will fully cooperate with the investigation of the incident by civil authorities.

4. Our insurance company will be notified, and we will complete an incident report. Any documents received relating to the incident and/or allegations will immediately be forwarded to the insurance company.

5. The Lead Pastor will be our spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect unless he or she is alleged to be involved. The advice of legal counsel will be sought before responding to media inquiries or releasing information to the congregation. All other representatives of Faith Church should refrain from speaking to the media.

6. A pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it.

7. Any person not found innocent of the alleged abuse or misconduct will be removed from their position, children or youth.

Open Door Policy

Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Doors should never be locked while persons are inside the room.

Teenage Workers

We recognize that there may be times when it is necessary or desirable for babysitters (paid or volunteer) who are themselves under age 18 to assist in caring for children during programs or activities. The following guidelines apply to teenage workers:

• Must be at least age 12

• Must be screened as specified above.

• Must be under the supervision of an adult and must never be left alone with children.

Check-in/Check-out Procedure

For children in fifth grade and below, a security check-in/check-out procedure will be followed. The child will be signed in by a parent or guardian, who will receive a “child check” for the child, similar to a claim check. The parent or guardian must present the “child check” to sign out the child from our care. If a parent or guardian cannot present the “child check,” A new one can be printed out with the proper information and photo ID verification. If the ID is unavailable or does not match, the Department Director will be contacted and will assist in releasing the child to the care of a parent or guardian after discussing the surrounding circumstances with those involved.

Sick Child Policy

We desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at Faith Church. Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should NOT be dropped off:

• Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 48 hours

• Green or yellow runny nose

• Eye or skin infections

• Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease

Children observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children, and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.

Accidental Injuries to Children

If a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:

1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, workers will provide First Aid (BandAids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury when the child is picked up from our care.

2. For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the worker’s supervisor. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.

3. Once the child has received appropriate medical attention, a medical professional will complete an incident report in the case of injuries requiring treatment.

Medications Policy

Faith Church will not administer prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Parents are reminded of our sick child policy. Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life-threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with the Department Director to develop a medication action plan.

Discipline Policy

Faith Church will not administer corporal punishment, even if parents have suggested or given permission to allow it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline to children. Team Members should consult with their Department Director if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues.

Restroom Guidelines

Children five years of age and younger should use a classroom bathroom if one is available. If a classroom bathroom is not available, a Team Member should escort a group of children to the hallway bathroom. They should always go in a group, never taking a child to the bathroom alone. The Team Members should check the bathroom first to ensure it is empty and allow the children inside. The Team Member should remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. If a child takes longer than seems necessary, the Team Member should open the bathroom door and call the child's name. If a child requires assistance, the workers should prop open the bathroom door and leave the stall door open as they assist the child. For children over the age of five, at least two adult males should take boys to the restroom, and at least two adult females should take girls. The worker should check the bathroom first to ensure it is empty and then allow the children inside. The Team Member should remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. To protect everyone, Team Members should never be alone with a child in a bathroom with the door closed and never be in a closed bathroom stall with a child. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children visit the bathroom before each class.

Training

Faith Church will provide training regarding this child protection policy to all new team members and will strive to provide opportunities for additional training classes or events on an annual basis. All team members are strongly encouraged to attend these training events.