Child and Youth Protection Policy

1. Child and Youth Protection Policy Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church 2012 training

2. Why do we have one? The Gospel calls us to be engaged in ministry with children and youth. We should not allow the risks to undermine or stop our ministry. Rather we must: • Acknowledge the risks and develop a practical plan to address these issues • Take steps to prevent harm to our children • Continue to answer the Gospel’s imperative to be in ministry with children, thus making a difference in their lives

3. PVUMC CYPP 2012 Definitions and steps

4. Child, Youth, and adult • Child: anyone age 11 or under (5th grade or lower) • Youth: anyone not a child and under the age of 18 • Adult: anyone age 18 or older AND has finished high school

5. Paid staff, adult volunteer, screened adult • Paid staff person: someone who is paid by the church, overseen by SPRC, and screened • Adult volunteer is an adult who is NOT screened • Screened adult is a volunteer who has gone through the screening process. • May or may not be members, but must be regular attendees and active in church activities for at least 6 months

6. Screening process • Any adult who works with students regularly must be screened (background checked) • Screening is good for 5 years as long as consecutive relationships are maintained • Volunteers for a church ministry must fill out an application and be interviewed by the lead staff person of that ministry • All background check results and applications will be kept in a LOCKED file drawer with minimal access

7. PVUMC CYPP 2012 Supervision of Children and youth

8. General rules • All activities involving children or youth must be supervised by at least one screened adult • Each room used for C/Y should have a window in the door • “two person rule” is defined as having at least 2 people in any classroom or setting, at least one of which must be a screened adult or staff person

9. Classroom supervision • Infant-2nd grade: at least one (when feasible, 2) screened adults which are not family members. • Grades 3-5: As least one screened adult at all times, preferred is 2. Children should be escorted to bathrooms by a screened adult • Grades 6-12: At least one screened adult in the room at all times, and a designated adult checking rooms randomly

10. PVUMC CYPP 2012 Other definitions/things to remember

11. Open Door Policy : parents, staff members, and volunteers are permitted (when reasonable) to visit or observe classrooms at any time. • Sign-in and Sign-out procedures should be used for children up through 2nd grade. There should be a list of the approved adults to pick up EACH CHILD • In the time following a group event, it is expected that the screened adult (or staff member) in charge uses their best judgment for supervision of remaining students

12. PVUMC CYPP 2012 Transportation

13. Requirements • Drivers must be known to the adult in charge of the event • A C/Y may only be transported in a non family vehicle if the driver is a screened adult or paid staff member (over 18) • Operators of church-owned vehicles must be at least 21 and pass the conference approved driver screening • Drivers must have a valid license for the vehicle they are operating • Drivers must require all seatbelts to be worn at all times

14. Requirements (con’t) • Drivers should be advised of the designated route and NOT deviate from it except in an emergency or road detour • Drivers should not use cell phones except for required communication with other drivers • Drivers should NOT text message or browse on their phones while driving • When a trip is more than 500 miles RT all drivers must be on the “approved driver list”

15. Guidelines • Drivers should be accompanied by another adult • Drivers should receive training for a church owned vehicle (before they use one) • Youth who drive their own vehicles should be reminded regularly of the importance of vehicle safety

16. Requirements • There will be at least 2 screened adults present for all trips, retreats, and other activities where students will be gathered overnight • At least 1 screened adult for each gender present • At single gender events there should be 2 screened adults of that gender • The person in charge of the event will carry permission slips including medical release forms

17. Guidelines • In a hotel type setting, separate rooms are necessary for students and adults • Assignments should be made to space adult rooms between student rooms • Random hall checks should be made by 2 adults of the same gender (for the rooms they are checking) • Hotels should have interior facing rooms

18. On-line safety and communication • Church computers that are set up for public youth should be in public areas • Communication with students should stop by 10 on week nights and 11 on weekends • Content on personal sites (to which students have access) should be kept within reasonable restrictions

19. PVUMC CYPP 2012 Responding to allegations

20. Mandatory reports • Florida Statute 39.201 entitled “mandatory reports” states: • “and person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, as defined in this chapter…shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department.

21. Steps to take • If you are not the staff person in charge of your area, immediately contact them • Together you should make a written report and call the authorities • Notify the Pastor • Follow up