Training and Educating Staff and Volunteers

        Ø Review the FUMC Safe Sanctuary Policy

                and related procedures

        Ø Review definitions and signs of abuse

                (in all its forms)

        Ø Review causes and consequences of

                abuse.

All staff and volunteers will sign a form indicating that they have read and understand the Safe Sanctuary Policy and related procedures and that they will abide by the requirements of the policy.

Educating Adult Members of the Congregation

        Ø Send a letter to the congregation

                explaining the development of the policy

                and its importance for the welfare of the

                FUMC community.

        Ø Prepare articles for the newsletter

                highlighting our Safe Sanctuary theme

                and the issue of abuse and ways to

                prevent it.

        Ø Designate one Sunday annually and

                develop worship around the Safe

                Sanctuary theme.

        Ø Incorporate resources from DYFS and

                other agencies that address the issues of

                abuse.

        Ø Provide all members of the congregation

                with a copy of the Safe Sanctuary Policy.

        Ø Post the Safe Sanctuary Policy on the

                FUMC website.

Educating Children

        Ø Designate one Sunday annually on the topic

of physical safety and abuse and educate children (using age-appropriate material)

during Sunday school.

PART FOUR:  REPORTING

State law requires that anyone who has reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, must report it immediately to the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).  Failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution.

If suspected abuse is observed by, or reported to, a staff member or volunteer, the following actions should take place:

        Ø If observed, immediately remove the child

                or vulnerable adult from the situation.

        Ø Contact DYFS Hotline (1-800-792-8610)

        Ø Report the incident immediately to the staff

                person responsible for the sponsoring the

                activity(the staff member shall contact the

Senior Pastor who will contact the chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the district superintendent).

        Ø Complete an incident form, taking detailed

                notes and provide these to the staff

                member in charge of the activity.

PART FIVE:  RESPONDING

A quick compassionate and unified response to an alleged incident of child abuse is expected.  All allegations will be taking seriously.  In all cases of reported or observed abuse in an activity, all volunteers of staff involved in that activity shall be at the service of all official investigating agencies.

        Ø The person(s) who are the subject of any

                report that will be removed from any

                activities with children or vulnerable

                adults until the incident is resolved.

        Ø The Senior Pastor, or his/her designee, will

                make appropriate denominational contacts

                and follow the Greater New Jersey Annual

                Conference steps for reporting child, youth or

                vulnerable adult abuse.  The Senior Pastor, or

                his/her designee, is the only person

                authorized to make statements to

                representatives of the media.

        Ø If the allegation concerns activities or

                persons outside any relationship to a

                church related event or activity, it is the

                responsibility of the person in charge of

                that event or activity to make the initial

                contact with the Division of Youth and

                Family Services and to inform the Senior

                Pastor.

        Ø The Senior Pastor, or his/her designee, will

        work with the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the

        victim of the abuse to determine the

        appropriate pastoral care.  Confidentiality for

        the alleged victim, the accused, and all

        involved parties is to be maintained.

Safe Sanctuary Policy

Jesus said:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:14)  

First United Methodist Church

One East Broad Street

Westfield, NJ  07090 

(908) 233-4211 

Safe Sanctuary Policy

The Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) approved implementing a Safe Sanctuary Policy in January 2006 and this supersedes any previous policy statement.  The purpose of the policy is threefold:

Œ    to demonstrate our steadfast commitment to the physical safety, emotional health, and spiritual growth of our children (age 0 – 18) and vulnerable adults,

�    to protect our staff, both paid and volunteer, from potential wrongful allegations of abuse, and

Ž    to limit the extent of legal liability of our church.

To achieve this purpose, the following five components will be implemented:

        PART ONE:  SCREENING & SELECTION

Background checks, application forms, participant covenant forms, reference checks.

        PART TWO:  SUPERVISION & PROCEDURES

Procedures for daily operation and supervision.

        PART THREE:  TRAINING & EDUCATION

Training and education for staff & volunteers, for adult members of the congregation, and for the children.

        PART FOUR:  REPORTING

Procedures for reporting allegations of abuse.

        PART FIVE:  RESPONDING

Procedures for responding to allegations of abuse.

PART ONE:  SCREENING AND SELECTION

Œ    All employees of FUMC must:

Ø complete an application for employment form

        (with three references)

        Ø undergo a criminal background check

        Ø complete a participant covenant form

        Ø read the FUMC Safe Sanctuaries Handbook

                (includes policy and related procedures)

�    All volunteers who work with children (age 0 – 18)

        and/or vulnerable adults will be required to:

        Ø complete a volunteer application form

                with three references)

        Ø complete a participant covenant form

        Ø read the FUMC Safe Sanctuaries Handbook

                (includes policy and related procedures)

PART TWO:  SUPERVISION & PROCEDURES

Ø Two-Adult Rule.  Adults are persons 18 years of age and older.  Two adults (whom we suggest are not related) should be on-site any and all times during any church-sponsored program, event, or ministry involving children or vulnerable adults.  This will include our nursery, Sunday school classes, music programs, youth programs, and any other programs where the children are present.  An exception may be made when transporting children during a church-sponsored event as outlined below:

● Driver must be between 21 and 80 years of age

        and fulfill the requirements of the FUMC

        Vehicle Policy.

        ● Driver must have proof of insurance and a valid

                state driver’s license.

        ● At no time may a driver be alone with an

                unrelated child unless the parent of the child

        has provided written permission for

        transportation.

Ø Five-Years-Older Rule - All staff, counselors, mentors, and volunteers supervising an event involving our children must be at least five years older than the children with whom s/he is working.

Ø Nursery Log - All infants, toddlers, and children using the nursery must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian.

Ø Diaper Changing Procedure - Nursery staff or volunteers may change soiled diapers as long as another adult is present.  All diaper changes will be recorded in a log using the following format:  “date, time, name of child needing diaper change, provider who changed diaper.”  The log will be available to parents/guardians.

Ø Bathroom Procedure - A child needing to use the toilet shall be escorted by an adult to the bathroom.  The adult shall remain in the hallway while the child uses the toilet.  If assistance is requested by the child, the adult may enter and assist.  The adult will then log the event using the following format:  “date, time, name of child who requested help, provider who gave help.” The log will be available to parents/guardians.

Ø Open Door Counseling - During any counseling session with children, the door of the room used shall remain open for the entire session.  In addition, the session shall occur when others are nearby (even if not in hearing distance).

Ø Parental Consent Forms - Parental consent forms will be obtained for overnight activities at the church and activities off church property.

Ø Windows on classroom and office doors - All classroom and office doors shall have windows allowing visibility.

PART THREE:  TRAINING & EDUCATION

 FUMC staff and volunteers will be trained in this policy and the related procedures.  Adult members of the FUMC community and the children will be educated about the issue of abuse and this policy.

 Training and education will be coordinated and performed by the ministry director(s) and/or Senior Pastor (or responsible person in charge), then performed on an annual basis or when a new staff member is hired or volunteer is invited to be in service.

                                                                FUMC  9/2006