CHILD AND YOUTH PROTECTION POLICY

Bagley UMC, Bayard UMC, Cooper UMC,

Dawson UMC, Linden UMC, Yale UMC

IN EFFECT December 31, 2007

INTRODUCTION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church, in April 1996, adopted a resolution including the following statement:

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes (a) child…welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and in the realm of God.

Jesus also said, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones…, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality and protection to the little ones, the children. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that “children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation and abuse” (paragraph 162C).

Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child sexual abuse, exploitation, and ritual abuse…occur in churches, both large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural, and racial lines. It is real, and it appears to be increasing. Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation within churches. Virtually every congregation has among its members adult survivors of early sexual trauma.

Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved: the child, the family, the local church and its leaders. Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional, and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.

God call us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and ritual abuse. God calls us to create communities of faith where children and adults grow safe and strong.

(The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church – 2000, pages 180-181)

The Child and Youth Protection Policy of the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church states:

Our conference’s purpose for establishing this Child and Youth Protection Policy

and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering

commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of the children and youth involved in conference and district ministry settings.

Statement of Covenant

Therefore, as an annual conference in The United Methodist Church, we pledge to:

· Conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth as well as all of the workers with children and youth;

· Follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers;

· Implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events;

· Provide educational opportunities to all our employees and volunteers who work with children and youth regarding relevant conference policies and procedures;

· Have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse; and

· Be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.

Conclusion

In all of our ministries with children and youth, the Iowa Conference is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each child will be “…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).

The Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, in June 2005, adopted the following:

Local Church Safe Sanctuaries Initiative

B. The Iowa Annual Conference requires that each local church conduct a Safe Sanctuaries process and establish a child and youth protection policy by July 1, 2007.

Thus, in covenant with other congregations of The United Methodist Church in Iowa, we adopt this policy for the prevention of abuse of children and youth in our church.

BASIC GUIDELINES

· Adults or youth who have been identified as having committed sexual or physical abuse or having a criminal record involving violent crime to another person will not knowingly be employed by the church or accepted as a volunteer with programs or activities for children or youth.

· Applicants and volunteers must provide positive personal (non-relative) references.

· Volunteers shall have been a regular part of the church body for at least 6 months prior to working with children or youth.

o Exceptions may be made with a positive written reference from an immediately previous church/ pastor.

· To the extent it is reasonably possible, at least two adults will be present in all settings involving children or youth.

o Exceptions may be made with the written consent of a parent or guardian.

· All persons with any significant contact with children or youth shall have been cleared by the Administrative Church Board in accordance with the Application and Screening Procedures described in this Policy.

· Youth employees and youth volunteers (under the age of 18) must present a signed Parental Permission form before they can be authorized to work with children. (Appendix C)

· Prohibited behaviors for all employees and volunteers include but are not limited to:

o Using verbally or emotionally abusive or derogatory language

o Using sexually implicit or explicit language or behavior

o Physically striking, hitting, or spanking

o Fondling, kissing or unwelcome physical contact

o Touching or tickling in an inappropriate or sexual manner

o Inappropriate or intimidating actions or body language

· A record and report shall be kept of any incident resulting in injury or complaint of injury to a child or youth, or of any treatment of any ailment or health condition.

APPLICATION AND SCREENING PROCEDURES

1. Applicant/Volunteer completes an application form, including references. (Appendix A)

Applicant/Volunteer signs a Consent and Release form permitting the church to conduct reference checks, talk with representatives of a former church, and conduct criminal background checks. (Appendix E)

2. Applicant/Volunteer signs an acceptance of the Child and Youth Protection Policy and agrees to abide by its terms. (Appendix B)

3. If applicant/volunteer is not already known by the supervising person or recommended by someone whose judgment is trusted by the supervising person, an in-person interview is conducted.

4. References may be checked and documented.

5. The following background records may be checked and documented: criminal records, sex offender registry and child abuse registry.

6. If under age 18, applicant/volunteer submits a signed Parental Permission form. (Appendix C)

7. Applicant/Volunteer is cleared for contact with children or youth by the Administrative Church Board.

8. Applicant/Volunteer shall resubmit the Application and related materials after 5 years.

RESPONSE GUIDELINES IN CASE OF ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

1. Any incident or accusation of abuse will immediately be reported to the pastor.

2. In the case that the alleged perpetrator of abuse is the pastor or a family member of the pastor, report will be made to the chair of the administrative board.

3. In the case of an allegation of abuse, a Report of Suspected Incident of Youth/Child Abuse should be filled out as soon as possible. (Appendix F)

4. The Response Team to an allegation of abuse will consist of the administrative board chair and the pastors.

5. In the case of an allegation of abuse, immediate legal counsel will be provided by __________________.

6. In the case of an allegation of abuse, whether by a paid staff person or a volunteer, the Southwest District Office of the UMC will be informed as soon as possible.

Appendix A

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Name:
Address:
Daytime Phone:		Evening Phone:
Occupation:
Employer:
Previous volunteer experience:
Do you have a valid driver’s license?
Do you have liability insurance? (list policy limits and name of carrier)
Have you ever been charged, convicted of, or pled guilty to a crime, either a misdemeanor or a felony (including but not limited to drug-related charges, child abuse, other crimes of violence, theft, or motor vehicle violations)?
	Circle One: NO YES
If yes, please explain fully:
Have you ever been exposed to an incident of child abuse or neglect? Circle one: NO YES
If yes, how did you feel about the incident?
Would you be available for periodic volunteer training sessions? Circle one: NO YES
References: Please list three personal references (people who are not related to you by blood or marriage) and provide a complete address and phone information for each. References are confidential.
1. Name:
Address:
Daytime phone:		Evening phone:
Relationship to reference:
2. Name:
Address:
Daytime phone:		Evening phone:
Relationship to reference:
3. Name:
Address:
Daytime phone:		Evening phone:
Relationship to reference:

___________________________________________

Signature of Applicant Date
Appendix B

ACCEPTANCE OF POLICY FORM

By signing this document, I am stating that I have read and understand the Child and Youth Protection Policy of the Hope United Methodist Parish and its churches. I further agree that I accept it and will abide by it.

_____________________________ __________________________

Signature of Staff or Volunteer Signature of Witness

_____________________________ __________________________

Printed Name of Staff or Volunteer Printed Name of Witness

_____________________________ __________________________

Date Date

Appendix C

PARENTAL PERMISSION FOR YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

Name of Youth Volunteer:
Name of Camp/Program and location:
The undersigned represents that s/he is the custodial parent/legal guardian of the above identified participant. The volunteer has my/our permission to assist with the ministry of : Name of Church:
During the following time period:	to
This permission is given by me/us with full knowledge of the conditions and activities with which s/he will be assisting, including but not limited to, work with children and other youth. The youth volunteer has no physical or mental disabilities that would impair their participation except as noted here:
I/We will not hold the above named church, its employees or volunteers liable for injuries suffered during the course of the volunteer activities and will hold the church harmless from any financial loss as a result of injury to and/or claim by the volunteer.
I/We give permission for pictures taken to be used for the church’s promotional purposes.
Readable Signature of Custodial Parent/Legal Guardian		Date
Readable Signature of Custodial Parent/Legal Guardian		Date

Appendix D

Background Check Procedure

1. Read Child and Youth Protection Policy

2. Sign Acceptance of Policy Form with witness signature (Appendix B)

3. Sign Consent and Release For Background Check (Appendix E)

4. Complete and sign FCRA Background Check Information Form (Appendix G)

5. Payment for background check must be made to the Hope United Methodist Parish.

A. Payment will be made by:

i. ___ Personal check attached

ii. ___ Parish office to bill the church. (Check which church)

___Bagley ___Bayard ___Cooper ___Dawson ___Linden ___ Yale

6. Cost of background checks is:

A. $3.50 for a Social Security number check (which verifies that they are who they say they are), optional.

B. $7.50 per NAME for criminal background check (which includes convictions for sexual abuse) Do remember, many women have a maiden name and a married name so that is $7.50 for each of those names.

7. The actual background check will remain in a locked cabinet at the Hope Parish Office and copies will NOT be made nor distributed.

Appendix E

CONSENT AND RELEASE

For Background Checks

As a part of my participation in working with children/youth of the Hope United Methodist Parish Churches (Bagley UMC, Bayard UMC, Cooper UMC, Dawson UMC, Linden UMC, Yale UMC), I hereby consent, to and authorize (check those that apply):

_____ Bagley United Methodist Church

_____ Bayard United Methodist Church

_____ Cooper United Methodist Church

_____ Dawson United Methodist Church

_____ Linden United Methodist Church

_____ Yale United Methodist Church

_____ Hope United Methodist Parish

to conduct the following background checks: criminal records, sex offender registry, and child abuse registry. I am willing to have pertinent information shared with the pastors and administrative board of the church. I release the Church, the Hope United Methodist Parish, its employees or volunteers from any and all liability associated with conducting the above background checks. I affirm I have no objection to these checks.

________________________________ ____________________________

Signature Date

________________________________ ____________________________

Printed Legal Name Social Security Number

________________________________

Date of Birth (Month/Day/Year)

Please list ALL legal names that you have been known by, including maiden name, if applicable.

Appendix F

REPORT OF SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF CHILD ABUSE

Name of worker (paid or volunteer) observing or receiving disclosure of child abuse:
Victim’s name:
Victim’s age/date of birth:
Date/place of initial conversation with/report from victim:
Victim’s statement (give your detailed summary here):
Name of person accused of abuse:
Relationship of accused to victim (paid staff, volunteer, family member, other):
Reported to pastor
Date:	Time:
Spoke with:
Summary:
Call to victim’s parent/guardian:
Date:	Time:
Spoke with:
Summary:
Call to local children and family service agency
Date:	Time:
Spoke With:
Summary:
Call to local law enforcement agency
Date:	Time:
Spoke With:
Summary:
Other Contacts
Date:	Time:
Spoke With:
Summary:

Signature Date

Appendix G

Hope United Methodist Parish-Yale UMC

CONSENT TO PERFORM A HISTORY/BACKGROUND CHECK

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FCRA (FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT)

Last Name

First Name

Middle Name or Initial

Maiden or other name(s) used in any and all other records of birth or records of residence.