Child Safety Policy Overview

Our Church recognizes the need to provide for the physical and spiritual well being of the children who come to our programs. A policy was developed that we believe will help make the church a safe place for all. The Church Council oversees the implementation of this policy and, with the Pastor, insures that all Caregivers comply. This page is a summary of our Child Safety Policy, designed to familiarize you with the policy and to ensure that children, parents, and caregivers can work together to maintain a safe environment in which they may grow in faith.

(For our complete policy see Standard for Care of Children)

DEFINITIONS

Child - anyone under the age of 18
Adult - anyone at least 18 years old
Caregiver - an adult designated by the Church to care for or supervise
          children at a church-sponsored event (all Caregivers are CORI checked)
Mentor - any adult designated by the Church to work one-on-one
          with a child as part of a church sponsored event
Event - a church-sponsored gathering intended exclusively for children or youth (e.g. church
          school, youth group, Confirmation, etc.), and which may be held on or off Church property

RESPONSIBILITY
Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their children when at the Church. They are expected to instruct their children in the proper way to conduct themselves. It is also expected that they will fill out the required permission forms and determine how their children will get to and from Church-sponsored events. Once at the event the Caregiver assumes responsibility for the care and supervision of the children.

SUPERVISION
At least two Caregivers will be present at all events so that no Caregiver will be alone with a child out of sight of other adults. All mentoring relationships (see definition) between an adult and child will begin only after the parents meet the Mentor and give written consent for the mentoring relationship.

Caregivers who accompany a child to the bathroom will wait outside the bathroom door unless the child needs assistance. In that case, two Caregivers or adults will be present or the bathroom door left open.

PARENTAL CONSENT
A registration form will be completed by a parent or guardian before their child can participate in most events. Specific parental consent will be required for events that occur off church property, when only one Caregiver will be present at an event, when children are being transported by a Caregiver, for any overnight events, or any unscheduled activities that a Mentor and child participate in.

DISCIPLINE
It is expected that Caregivers will treat children in such a manner that encourages mutual responsibility, respect, and cooperation. Caregivers are encouraged to listen to the child and let the child know the appropriate behavior that is expected. No form of spanking, hitting, slapping or other physical punishment, or destructive criticism is allowed. If a child continues to be disruptive or refuses to cooperate, a Caregiver will be sent to locate a supervisor or the parent will be contacted.

EMERGENCIES
A parent or guardian will be notified as soon as possible if a child is injured and requires first aid. In addition a written report will be given to the Pastor and filed in the church office. Property damage occurring during an event will be handled similarly.

TRANSPORTATION
Only Caregivers at least 21 years old will be allowed to transport children to or from events. Parents or guardians are expected to inform the Caregivers of the arrangements they made to transport their child home from the Church. When traveling to or from events off Church property in more than one vehicle, only one Caregiver per vehicle is needed, assuming the vehicles are traveling together.

This is a summary of the policy titled "Standards for Care of Children" which is on file in the church office. After much review it was enacted by vote of the Church Council to be in effect as of September 30, 2002 (and revised June 13, 2006).

(For our complete policy see Standard for Care of Children)

Questions concerning the policy can be directed to the Coordinator of Children's Ministry or Pastor