Protecting Children and Adults: CARE Certification Program at Southside Baptist Church

Children and Adults in a Responsible Environment

What is CARE? Children and Adults in a Responsible Environment It is a child and youth sexual abuse prevention program designed to protect both the child/youth, as well as the child/youth ministry workers. To be CARE Certified you must be a member, review all slides in this presentation, take a quiz, complete the CARE Provider Application and submit to a background check. CARE Certification at Southside Baptist church may need to be renewed every 2 years.

Statement of Intent The members and staff of Southside Baptist Church (SBC) recognize that children, youth and vulnerable adults are entrusted to the care of adults and student helpers who lead church programs/activities both on and off site and also in educational or recreational programs operated by others on SBC property.

The members and staff of SBC are committed to maintaining an environment in which children, youth and vulnerable adults are protected from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and in which church staff, teachers, and volunteers are protected from false allegations of abuse.

To achieve the goals of preventing incidents of abuse or the unfounded assertion of such conduct, SBC has developed appropriate procedures to be implemented in the following areas: The interviewing and selection of volunteers involved in the supervision or custody of minors and/or vulnerable adults Orientation and training of approved providers Supervision of approved providers by trained leadership Reporting of and responding to any incident and/or allegation of the abuse of a child, youth or vulnerable adult.

Applicability The general policies and procedures shall apply to all persons, whether compensated staff, teachers, volunteer providers, church members or guest. As situations arise which are not appropriately covered by a specific procedure of policy, this policy may be revised by the Church Operations Team or Leadership of SBC.

Definitions Abuse: as referred to in this document includes physical and sexual abuse and emotional mistreatment Approved Provider: A trained and certified staff person or member, teacher, volunteer (18 years or older) with the supervision or care of minors and/or vulnerable adults through programs provided and sponsored by SBC

Children and youth/minors: any person under 18 years old involved in programs provided at or sponsored by SBC Emotional Maltreatment: a pattern of acts by the caretaker which result in harm to the child s psychological or emotional health or development. The child typically demonstrates dysfunction as a result of the caretaker s behavior. This includes patterns of rejection, ridiculing, intimidation, isolating or ignoring.

Hall Monitor/Security: An designee who is assigned to patrol the halls and other areas of the church during worship services and other meeting times in order to assist other providers and watch for problems. Hall monitors/Security are to be approved care certified. Physical Abuse: any act, which regardless of intent, results in non-accidental physical injury. It many result from over-discipline or from punishment that is inappropriate to the minor s age or condition. Results of physical abuse can range from minor bruises and lacerations to severe neurological damage and death.

Sexual Abuse: acts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of minors. Sexual abuse encompasses a broad range of behavior and may consist of many acts over a long period of time or a single incident. Specifically, sexual abuse can include, but is not limited to incest, fondling, rape, sexual proposition or enticement, intercourse, indecent exposure, oral genital contact, child pornography, child prostitution.

Student Helper: trained youth 12-17 years old. Student helpers must be accompanied by an adult teacher 21 years or older and must complete a Care Provider application. Student helpers are permitted to work with children under 12 years of age (exception: children under the age of 12 who desire to accompany their parent in the classroom may do so with the approval of the staff person responsible for the ministry). Student Helpers are not to miss more than one worship service per month.

Vulnerable Adults: Persons 18 years or older who lives in or receive services from licensed facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals or treatment centers for chemical dependency, mental illness, mental retardation, or physical disabilities or are in a family setting and would not, by themselves, report abuse or neglect to themselves because of impaired physical or mental function, or because of emotional status.

Training and Supervision For any SBC program that involves minors/vulnerable adults: It shall be the responsibility of the SBC staff member accountable to ensure that all providers and student helpers have completed the screening protocol and that appropriate practices are implemented within those programs and activities to reduce the risk of abuse. Providers and student helpers are to follow all safety, security, and other policies specific to that area.

Providers shall observe the two providers at all times rule, which requires: At least 2 adult providers be present at any activity with minors/vulnerable adults One adult provider and one student helper will be present in any activity with children under 12 years old

One on one contact with a Middle School or High School student is allowed only in the event that the visit takes place in a public area or if written/verbal parental permission is received. Pastoral visits are exempt from this policy. In the event that student activities take place off-site, transportation to and from that event must occur in a caravan with multiple vehicles traveling together or with three or more persons in a vehicle. The only exception to the policy will be made with written or verbal parental permission for one student to ride with an adult of the same sex to a specific location for a meeting.

Compensated church staff or their designees may make unannounced visits to all scheduled classroom situations involving volunteer providers at a frequency of at least once per hour. All volunteers for any overnight church activity involving minors/vulnerable adults must be approved in advance by the staff person responsible for that program.

Materials used with minors/vulnerable adults must be approved by the Pastor or Deacon Board. This includes but is not limited to youth groups, Sunday school, Serve the City, Back Yard Kids Club and evening programs. Whenever children's services are provided by SBC, the Safe Key policy will be followed. This Safe Key ensures that each child 3rdgrade and under shall only be released to his/her parent/guardian.

Other organizations that use the SBC facilities must either agree to abide by this policy or operate under similar training and supervision procedures and provide a copy of those procedure to the SBC Pastoral staff, Church Operations Team, or Deacon Board.

Procedures for hiring and screening: All approved providers (volunteer/compensated) involved in the care of minors/vulnerable adults at SBC must be an active member and have attended REGULARLY for at least six months. Approved providers will complete the CARE policy provider application (CPA). The CPA is available to anyone who desires to be an approved provider. Newly hired staff and pastors may be exempted from the six month and membership requirements; however, background checks will be preformed on all applicants 18 and over.

Exemption to the six month rule: If the person is coming from another evangelical church, has been a member of that church for 1 year or more, has been active and can obtain a letter of recommendation from the pastor of said church attesting to the integrity of that person, the 6 month membership requirement can be waived. All other membership requirements apply. Reference checks and interview will be conducted by one of the members of the pastoral staff, office staff, or whomever is responsible for the ministry specific to the applicant. These may be accomplished by documented phone interviews and/or by phone, mail or email.

Confidential files, including the CPA and background checks, will be maintained by the church office. Access to these files will be limited to the Pastoral and office staff. Adults that have been convicted of sexual or physical abuse, or emotional maltreatment or are listed on the sex offender registry of any state are not permitted to provide supervisory services or work in any capacity in any church sponsored activity or program for minors and/or adults. Entities of other organizations that SBC facilitates must either agree to abide by this policy or operate under similar hiring and screening procedures of that organization must be submitted to the church office.

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse Has unexplained bruises or injuries Has injuries where children don t normally have them- on the face, legs, bottom or torso Has bruises in the shape of an object, a hand, shoe, iron, stick, belt Provides difficult to believe explanations for injuries Wears clothes to cover body especially when inappropriate for the weather Reports mistreatment of animals at home Is wary of adult contact: cringes or flinches when others get close

Signs and Symptoms of Neglect Has not received attention for physical or medical problems Has consistent bad hygiene, unwashed matted hair Clothing too large or small or inappropriate for the weather Reports no caretaker or inconsistent caretaker at home Is responsible for household, cooking, care of siblings Displays excessive need for affection or attention

What is sexual abuse? The definition of sexual abuse varies by state. But generally, it includes any contact or interaction between a child and an adult in which the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of the adult or other person.

How widespread is it? The national Center of Child Abuse reports that 1 out of every 5 girls and 1 out of every 8 boys fall victim to sexual abuse before their 12thbirthday. Some abuse begins as early as 6 months old, regardless of the ethnic, or socioeconomic background. This crime has no gender, or racial biases, it affects us all. The peak incidence age range is between 8 12 years old.

A Stranger or a Friend, Whos more likely to commit the abuse? Children have, generally, been taught to be wary of strangers. But studies show that in 65% to 85% of abuse cases, the offenders are known to the child. In many cases, the offender is a family member. And all too often, it is a person in a position of trust and frequent contact with children- such as a teacher, child-care worker, camp counselor, youth minister or even a clergy person. Ninety percent of the offenders are men, who are more than likely married with children of their own. The majority of offenders have been abused.

Signs and Symptoms of Suspected Sexual Abuse Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts Low self esteem Drastic changes in appetite Over compliance or excessive aggression Fear of a particular family member Withdrawal, secretiveness or depression Becomes more angry or hostile Suicidal behavior Fear of touch

Procedures for reporting incidents of abuse: Incidents of abuse or reasonable suspicion of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults shall be reported immediately to : The staff person responsible for the area of ministry where the alleged incident occurred or where the information was received. The Children s Ministry Team Leader/Preschool Ministry Team Leader/ Youth Ministry Team Leader and the church attorney who will report to the City of Suffolk Department of Social Services (DSS) within 24 hours

The Senior Pastor shall be involved in the process of reporting as needed. Reports shall initially be made orally and then in writing on the Incident Report Form. If the reporter wishes to remain anonymous the report shall be made by telephone to the compensated staff member and attorney. These persons will serve as witnesses to verify the filing of the report. If questionable or inappropriate behavior is sighted the observer should immediately address the situation directly with the other provider, then a report should be made within 24 hours to the SBC staff person directly responsible for said ministry.

All other adult members of SBC who participate in programs on the property of SBC will be made aware of the potential for abuse of minors/vulnerable adults. Therefore, they should not hesitate to caution other of activities they observe to be inappropriate. Organizations that use SBC facilities that have reporting procedures of their own shall follow those established reporting practices, in addition to following their notification procedures; however, the organization, must also notify the SBC staff as soon as possible about any incident or suspected incident using SBC facilities.

An incident which occurs off-site shall be reported to the Ministry Team Leader responsible for the area of ministry who will then contact the Senior Pastor and the church attorney. Further reporting of the incident will be determined depending on where the incident occurred. In the extreme situation of physical harm or endangerment, police of sheriff s office should be notified immediately.

Procedures for responding to incidents of abuse The staff person and/or volunteer supervisor should document all of the events regarding the alleged incident using the Incident Report Form. Remember to document and report in detail times, dates, persons involved. Do not attempt to do the investigation as this is the job of DSS. Report the incident immediately to the church attorney, the Department of Social Services and the church insurance company. The Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Deacons is to insure the safety of the potential victim and notify the parents/guardian.

The Senior Pastor and a representative of the Church Operations Team or Deacon Board is to notify the accused. Parent and/or guardians of the suspected victim of abuse should be advised to seek medical attention if needed. Persons accused will be immediately relieve of further responsibilities involving direct contact with minors or vulnerable adults until the investigation is complete.

All parties involved in the incident or reasonably suspected incident, including the accuser, the accused and the victim, will be treated with dignity, support, and love. The confidentiality of all persons involved will be safeguarded by maintaining all written documentation in the church s confidential files and by prohibiting any further discussion outside of the parties involved in the incident and reporting or response procedures. Pastoral or shepherding response to any allegation will be handled by the pastors, deacons and ministry team leaders according to Biblical principles (i.e. love, accountability, etc.) The Senior Pastor or the Church Operations Team will be the spokesperson(s) for the church insofar as media inquiries are concerned.

Reference Telephone Numbers Senior Pastor Fred Gray Office (757)539-6629 Youth Ministry Team Leader Josh Butts (757)679-3865 Sunday School Nursery, Preschool, & Children s Director Allison Carr (757)647-8301 Worship Ministry Team Leader Phil Lilly (757)544-0679 City of Suffolk Social Services (757)514-7450 Wednesday Evening Children s Coordinator Sterling Brown (757)338-4468 City of Suffolk Sheriff s Office (757)514-7840 Emergency 911