PROTECTION FROM ABUSE POLICY:
At their August 10, 2015 meeting, Church Council voted to approve our Protection of Minors Policies and Procedures. This brings us into compliance with Pennsylvania Act 31.
Highlights include:
1) General Purpose Statement: New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church seeks to
provide a safe and secure environment for the children and youth who participate
in our programs and activities. By implementing the practices listed below, our
goal is to protect the children and youth of New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran
Church from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also
protecting our staff and volunteers from false accusations.
2) Clarification of who is considered a mandatory reporter and what they are to do.
3) How staff and volunteers will be screened, including Criminal Background checks.
4) Policies Regarding Drivers of Minors for Church Activities
5) A two adult rule, stipulating that two adults are to be in attendance at all times
when minors are present.
6) Volunteers who are Minors
7) Open Door Policy: Doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door
or beside the door with a clear view into the room. Doors should never be locked
while people are inside the room.
8) Restroom Guidelines
9) Annual Permission Form for Minors
10) Check-in/Check-out Procedure: For children below third grade, the persons who
are permitted to pick up a child will be listed on the Annual Permission Form for
Minors. If there is a change in who is permitted to pick up a child, the leader of
the activity must be notified in writing. For children grade four and older, a parent
may indicate on the Annual Permission Form for Minors that his/her child is
permitted to leave Sunday School independently. If an unauthorized person
arrives to pick up a minor, the teacher or adult leader will remain at the church
activity until the parent arrives. The minor will not be released to an
unauthorized person. Any person authorized to pick up children under age 12 a
parent is to come into the building to get his or her child(ren) and must let the
leader/coordinator/teacher know when he or she is leaving with his or her
child(ren). For larger activities, such as parties in the fellowship hall, all parents
must come into the area to pick up their children. Adults present at an activity
are to make sure that at least two adults will be present until all minors have
been picked up. At no time is one adult to be left alone in a building or at an
activity site with any minors. Adults leading/coordinating or representing the
congregation in an activity are not to leave the classroom, church facility, or
activity site until all minors (ages 0-17) have been picked up.
11) Medications Policy
12) Accidental Injuries to Minors
13) Training on the policy
14) Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor/Child Abuse
The full document is available in the church office or click on the link below to open the document on your computer.
protection_from_abuse_policy__-_new_jerusalem_lutheran_church_july_6_2015.pdf | |
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