Conclusion

In all of our ministries with children/youth and vulnerable adults, this congregation is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each person is “surrounded by steadfast love…established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal”, Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44.

Follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers

• All leaders with children/youth or vulnerable adults shall have been an active member with their peers in the life of this congregation for at least 12 months prior to their taking responsibilities in our ministries.

• Every person working with children/youth or vulnerable adults shall complete an application form and provide three non-family references to their character and relational skills along with a criminal background check before assuming an assignment in children/youth or vulnerable adults functions. This information will be reviewed and updated every other year.

Implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events

The following procedures are to be followed to aid in protecting our children/youth and vulnerable adults and adult leaders in our ministry.

• When possible, two trained adult leaders shall be present at all times during any church sponsored program, event, or ministry involving children less than 12 years of age. These two adults shall not be from the same household. If two trained adults are not available, the activities in the room must be clearly visible through an unobscured window or an open door.

• For children/youth 12 years and older or vulnerable adults, only one adult leader may be present as long as there are two or more youth or vulnerable adults present. At no time shall a child/youth or vulnerable adult be alone with a leader.

• The adult leaders who will be present and assume primary responsibility for a church sponsored program involving children/youth or vulnerable adults shall be at least 18 years of age. For church sponsored programs involving teenagers, the adult leader who will be present and assume primary responsibility shall be at least 5 years older than the oldest teen participant in the program.

• Adult leaders in church-sponsored programs for children/youth and vulnerable adults shall participate in an annual training regarding St. Matthew’s UMC Safe Sanctuary policy. This training will include a review of the policies and procedures and a written covenant signed by all participants to uphold these policies and procedures.

• Church staff who work with infants, children/youth or vulnerable adults shall provide documentation of current certification in First Aid and Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support for Infants, Children, and Adults. All leaders with infants under 24 months will provide documentation of current certification in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome and Infant Brain Development.

• Adult leaders responsible for overnight trips with youth shall provide documentation of current certification in First Aid and Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support for Children and Adults.

• The parent/guardian of children/youth or vulnerable adults participating in church-sponsored programs will be given advance notice of all expected activities for those programs. Parents/guardians shall be provided with advance notice of variations in usual schedules and activities. Parents/guardians shall be asked to sign a general permission form for planned off-site activities that are part of regular programs.

• St. Matthew’s UMC shall offer regular opportunities for the entire congregation to be informed regarding safety and abuse of children/youth or vulnerable adults. The Safe Sanctuary policy shall be available on the church’s web site.

• Programs or events that use church property but are not sponsored by the church shall be asked to sign a written covenant agreeing to uphold these policies and procedures. A person trained in Safe Sanctuary shall be present at these events and functions.

• Volunteers providing transportation for programs, activities, or events for children, youth or vulnerable adults shall
       
  • hold a valid driver’s license with proof of insurance and adequate limit of insurance;
         
  • use a vehicle in good mechanical condition;
         
  • carry no more than can be secured in seat belts or appropriate restraints;
         
  • be 23 years old;
         
  • drivers must meet the drivers’ guidelines listed in Drivers’ Underwriting Guidelines in Attachment.

• Transportation to and from church events of children/youth and vulnerable adults shall be the responsibility of the parents/guardians.

• Parents/guardians are strongly discouraged from allowing their child/youth or vulnerable adult to ride in a vehicle driven by a person under 21 years of age. All parents/guardians shall sign the youth driving release.

• Nursery workers shall follow sanitary procedures when changing diapers and caring for toilet needs of children.

• Sick children shall be removed from nurseries and classes to avoid exposure to others.

• Only parents of children in the nursery and trained nursery workers shall be in the nursery while children are cared for.

• Only adults can move or set up TVs, projectors or other heavy equipment. Any such moveable equipment must be securely attached to its conveyance (e.g. TVs belted or bolted to the cart).

• Children shall be supervised anytime they are in the church building and on playground equipment. When official childcare is not provided, parents are expected to provide supervision at all times.

• An adult shall accompany children to the playground area to provide supervision during church sponsored events. If no other adult is near, a second adult must be present.

• Emergency exit plans shall be posted in each area of the building and shall be reviewed regularly with parents, leaders, teachers, and caretakers.

Conform church facilities to meet reasonable safety standards to reduce risk of harm or injury

• Every classroom and office door shall have a window or be kept open providing a view of the interior.

• Trustees shall regularly check facilities for safety hazards.

• Toxic materials, including cleaning and other supplies, shall be stored in locked facilities well out of the reach of children/youth and vulnerable adults.

• Electrical outlets in children’s classrooms and the Fellowship Hall shall be covered when not in use.

• Playground areas shall be checked regularly for dangers.

Provide for workers adequate training regarding the implementation of our policies, procedures and preferred methodologies

Have in place basic procedures for recruiting, screening and selecting leaders for children/youth or vulnerable adult ministries

• All new volunteers, staff members or any person working in a church sponsored program with children/youth or vulnerable adults shall provide their name and Social Security number to the designated staff member so that a background check may be completed.

• The Pastor is responsible for having a criminal background check performed on all persons working with children/youth or vulnerable adults in any capacity.

• If the Pastor is aware of a prior child abuse conviction or other at-risk behaviors, he/she should discourage the participation of that individual in children/youth or vulnerable adult related activities with no explanation required to the group recruiting that person. This would protect the confidentiality of the Pastor/parishioner relationship as well as protecting the safety of the children.

• The Pastor, staff-parish chairperson and/or a member of the staff-parish committee shall hold all information obtained from the criminal background check in strict confidence. The records shall be kept in a locked file in the church office.

Educate parents and others in our congregation as to our policies and procedures

• The church shall provide the written policy and procedures to all members and friends of the congregation.

• Members and friends of the congregation shall be informed of updates to the policy on a regular basis.

• The complete written policy and procedures shall be available on the St. Matthew’s UMC web site.

Have in place a clearly defined procedure for reporting instances of injury, harm or abuse that conforms to requirements of state law, and be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs

Steps in responding to a reported incident

1. The volunteer, worker, or leader shall take the following steps immediately.

   • insure the privacy and safety of the alleged victim;

   • treat the individuals involved with dignity, honor and confidentiality;

   • immediately remove the accused individual from further involvement with children/youth or vulnerable adults;

   • notify the Pastor immediately;

   • if the Pastor is not available, notify the chair of the staff-parish committee and the administrative board;

   • complete a report form for each incident, accident or abusive situation.

2. Upon notification, the Pastor or the chair of the staff-parish committee and the administrative board shall take the following steps immediately.

   • Notify the parents/guardians of the alleged victim.

   • Address any needs the child/youth or vulnerable adult may have, including medical.

   • Notify each of the following:
          
     • the proper law enforcement agency and/or Department of Family and Protective Services (800-252-5400)
            
     • the District Superintendent
            
     • St. Matthew’s UMC insurance agent
            
     • St. Matthew’s UMC attorney

   • Serve as the news media liaison for St. Matthew’s UMC

   • Keep a written record of each step taken including times and dates

   • Prepare a brief, carefully worded statement to the congregation, telling the truth, but withholding the names of the alleged victim and the accused

   • Cooperate fully with the investigation conducted by law enforcement personnel

3. When the Pastor is accused the following actions shall be taken immediately by the chair of the Administrative Board.

   • Insure the privacy and safety of the alleged victim.

   • Treat the accused individual with dignity, honor and confidentiality.

   • Remove the accused individual from further involvement with children/youth or vulnerable adults.

   • Notify the chair of the staff-parish committee and the administrative board, who shall immediately notify the District Superintendent.

   • The District Superintendent will represent St. Matthew’s UMC in response to the accusation.

Regularly review our policies and procedures to assure that they conform to current legal, health and safety standards.

B. ACCIDENTS

• No more than: 1 in last three years

• *A preventable accident is any traffic accident which results in property damage and/or personal injury, regardless of who was injured, what property was damaged, to what extent, or where it occurred in which the driver in question failed to exercise every reasonable precaution or action to avoid the accident. The fact that the driver was not charged with a traffic violation by law enforcement is not part of our definition.

C. AGE PROFILE

• Drivers must be at least 23 years of age.

• Drivers 70 years of age and over should be submitted for individual attention. (A physician’s statement form may be required.)

D. INELIGIBLE DRIVERS

• Any driver without a valid driver’s license and/or adequate liability insurance.

• Any driver with the following violations regardless of the time period
       
  • Homicide involving a vehicle
         
  • Using a vehicle to elude an officer
         
  • Hit and run
         
  • Manslaughter with vehicle
         
  • Felony with vehicle
         
  • False report to police department
         
  • Permitting an unlicensed person to drive

• Any driver convicted of any of the following within the last 5 years:
       
  • Any alcohol or drug related offenses including, but not limited to, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
         
  • Reckless driving
         
  • Negligent driving
         
  • Exceeding speed limit by more than 25 MPH
         
  • License suspension