Parkway UMC SAFE SANCTUARY Training

OUR SAFE SANCTUARY POLICY HELPS US PROTECT Our children and youth from harm or abuse Our employees and volunteers from suspicion or accusation And the church body From lawsuits and ill-will in the community

#1 AVOID ISOLATION!! !

#1MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER: ALONE Never be _______________ with one child

#1 ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU CAN BE SEEN ______ by another person …preferably an adult…

#1AVOID ISOLATION BY Maintaining an open environment in your classroom Dont cover the windows – let everyone see what is going on in your classroom! Position yourself so others can easily see you in the room at all times/as much as possible Being visible!

#2 AUTHORIZED PERSONS ONLY!

#2 ONLY SAFE SANCTUARY- APPROVED persons may be in contact with the children We do criminal background checks on all adults applying to serve

#2 ALL WORKERS SHOULD WEAR THEIR NAMEBADGE This lets other leaders know who they can ask for help if they need it

#2 DO NOT ALLOW PERSONS WITHOUT A NAME BADGE TO HAVE ACCESS …to the children you are supervising! Send them to a Hall Monitor, who will either ask them to leave or OK them to be in contact with the children.

#2 CHILDREN SHOULD WEAR THEIR NAME BADGE! You may know each child by name, but if someone has to step in and help in an emergency, they may not!

#2 CHILDREN IN NURSERY Attach the name tag sticker to the diaper bag or tack it onto the door frame so it will be readily available at pick up time

#2 CHILDREN IN NURSERY Put the tag on the child if you leave the room with the child

#2 THE NUMBER ON THE CHILDS NAME BADGE MUST MATCH THE NUMBER ON the parent pick up tag

#2 THE NUMBER ON THE CHILDS NAME BADGE MUST MATCH THE NUMBER ON THE PARENT PICK UP TAG PARENT DOES NOT HAVE TAG? ask Hall Monitor for help in identifying person who is seeking to pick up the child

#3 POTTY BREAK!!!

#3 ADULTS ONLY Diapering is only done by Adults (18+) In the open Never behind a closed door!

#3 ADULTS & YOUTH HELPERS Assist children in bathrooms with top ½ of door open (protect privacy)

#3 ADULTS & YOUTH HELPERS Assist children in hall bathrooms with stall door open (protect privacy). Ask another person to stand at the main door so you are not alone with the child.

#4 BOUNDARIES

#4 BOUNDARIES Sitting in Lap: ok for infant, toddler, pre-K child - older children should sit on leg or beside leader Touching to Comfort or Affirm: appropriate touching to hand, arm, shoulder, back, head ok in public Hugs: side-by-side is best (avoid full body contact) Kisses: Never initiate! Always be aware of how it looks To the person being contacted To onlookers Not sure? Dont do it!

#4 PROTECT EVERY PERSON From verbal abuse: any act that threatens, humiliates or degrades this includes stopping a child from using hurtful words with another child. Tell them the language is offensive and must stop immediately.

#4 PROTECT EVERY PERSON From physical abuse: any act that endangers a persons physical or mental health this includes stopping a child from making any physical contact with another child, including wrestling, horseplay, etc. Show child their physical space and instruct them to stay in it.

#4 PROTECT EVERY PERSON From sexual abuse: exploiting another person for sexual satisfaction this includes displaying suggestive visual material, making comments about ones own or anothers body, touching another person, touching self, making any kind of sexual contact or statements.

#5 DISCIPLINE

#5 DISCIPLINE Gentle Reminders Redirection Time Out Involve Hall Monitor or Ministry Leader Restrain only if child is threatening to hurt themselves or someone else

#5 DISCIPLINE No physical discipline such as spanking!

#6 THE NO- NOS

#6 Tobacco Alcohol or illegal drugs Firearms or other weapons

#6 Fou l or offensive language Tell the child the language is inappropriate and must stop immediately

#6 Posts to Social Media Pictures of children can only be taken with church camera [Unless leader asks you to take pictures – these must be downloaded to church file and deleted from personal camera immediately]

#7 EMERGENCIES

#7 EMERGENCIES Care first for the child Call 911 if warranted Notify Hall Monitor Turn other children over to another leader so you can stay with the child

#7 EMERGENCIES Building Evacuation: Count heads & exit nearest door Assemble in parking lot Hall monitor will have rosters to make sure everyone is accounted for

#7 EMERGENCIES Building Emergency: Secure children away from your windows. Lock your door Wait for an all clear from Hall Monitor

#8 REPORTING

# 8 R EPORTING Complete Incident Report if you had to Administer first aid Give a child emotional support Give any other assistance a parent should know about

# 8 R EPORTING SUSPECTED ABUSE Care first for the child Remove the person suspected of abuse from the children with dignity Call 911 and/or the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Notify Ministry Leader Report to the Parents

THANK YOU! For working with us to ensure the safety of the children at Parkway United Methodist Church!!!

VERIFY TRAINING Click on the VERIFY TRAINING link on the Childrens Ministry / Training page of our website. You will be prompted to answer a few questions to confirm you have completed your Safe Sanctuary New Volunteer Training.

Questions? See Mrs. Valerie