1. Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church
Protecting Those in Our Care
Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults

2. KEEPING IT SAFE!
1st purpose – Protect by reducing the risk of injury or abuse of children, youth and vulnerable persons in our care.
2nd purpose – To protect staff and volunteers in the local church from false accusations of abuse or neglect.
3rd purpose – Limit the extent of legal liability for each United Methodist Church.

3. Purpose of this Training
Equip leaders to see the “Big Picture” and to take the
appropriate action in keeping children, youth and vulnerable persons safe.
Determine what classifies a Good Touch
from a Bad Touch
Discover the importance of weighing the risks
and the rewards of a particular event
Understand our responsibilities & the reporting law that
pertains to reporting child abuse

4. Church Mutual D.V.D.

5. High Risk Settings
What are the 3 High Risk Settings at a church, district or conference event?
1. Nurseries
2. Restrooms
3. Overnights
Page Detroit Conference Protection Policy

6. 4 or 5 Years Older SUPERVISING RULE 4 yrs. (D.A.C.) 5 yrs. (S.S.)
6 MONTH RULE - Why is this important?
2 CARE RULE -
4 or 5 Years Older SUPERVISING RULE
4 yrs. (D.A.C.) 5 yrs. (S.S.)
Leaders should be a minimum of 4 or 5 years older than those they are supervising.
MINIMUM AGE TO SERVE RULE
Nursery or children’s ministry – 16 years old (D.A.C.) 18 years old (S.S.)

7. How do we reduce these high rick areas
How do we reduce these high rick areas? As shared by insurance companies.
Please refer to your local church protection policy.
Open Door Counseling
Overnight Procedures
Minimum 2 Care Rule Applies
Restroom & Nursery Procedures

8. Reducing the Risk of Harm
Windows in Doors or Open Doors –
Why is this rule important in your church policy?
Accidents –
Kids can always find some way to get hurt
Accidents happen. What can we do?
*Church Mutual Brochure
Limited Entrance Points –
Determine what entrance points are really needed.

9. Reporting Abuse State of Michigan & G.B.O.D.
What is the legal standard for reporting abuse
to The State of Michigan –
Department of Human Services?
What constitutes reportable child abuse or neglect?
State of Michigan handout
State of Michigan states their definitions of physical abuse,
sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, neglect and
maltreatment.
Also, specific abuse behaviors listed for each area of abuse.

10. Review of Reporting Procedures
We should maintain confidences and trust with others, however there are situations when information shared falls into a legal obligation to report to the Department of Human Services in Michigan.
In what situations are we required to file a report?
Discuss

11. Review of Reporting Procedures
Listed below are 3 areas of absolute situations that
requires immediate reporting to your church’s event
director and/or Pastor to the Department of Human
Services. There are legal consequences in the State of
Michigan of not sharing specific information that was
disclosed to you.
You cannot keep a confidence if anyone reports to you that:
1. They are going to commit suicide.
2. They are going to hurt another person.
3. They report that they have been abused sexually or
physically.

12. LET’S DISCUSS…Break up into groups How would you respond
LET’S DISCUSS…Break up into groups How would you respond? Each group will decide on a group leader and a recorder. Each group will have 10 minutes to discuss the question given and be prepared to have the group leader give an over-view of your group’s discussion.

13. Weighing the Risks and Rewards (optional)
YOU ARE the Event Director for a children or youth event. YOU KNOW the following factors need to be considered:
Safety
Environment
Age Appropriate
Who will ultimately be held responsible if someone is hurt or harmed, during the event?
Break into Groups to Discuss for 10 minutes, then share brief over-view of your discussion with the entire group.
Discuss the risks and rewards of the following situations
Cedar Point Dodge Ball
U-Night Sardines

14. The Safety Zone: D.V.D. Chapters 8, 9 & 10
Guidelines for maintaining a safe environment when working with children and youth
over-view – page 3

15. Good Touch verses Bad Touch
According to the video…What area of the body is acceptable to touch someone?
Determine what would define good touch verses bad touch in each of the scenarios listed. Handout page 4

16. Bullying
The following are behaviors will not be tolerated by the Detroit Conference:
intentional & repeated hurtful words
hitting someone
spreading rumors, either verbally or by social networks (internet)
damaging their possessions
How should your church respond?

17. Closing Prayer *Please stand
Leader: Jesus cared enough to listen
to all. Will we listen to the
needs of children, youth and
vulnerable persons?
All: We will listen. For listening
shows we care. We will share
the faith, hope and love we
have in Christ.

18. Closing Prayer (con’t) *Please stand
Leader: All children, youth and vulnerable persons want be loved and cared for Will you love them?
All: Yes, Jesus is our example. He loved all We too seek to love and care for all.

19. Closing Prayer (con’t) *Please stand
Leader: We are Christ’s ears, hands & feet.
Will you help to protect the
children, youth and vulnerable
persons?
All: Yes, with God’s help, we will love,
pray and be a witness to Christ’s
love in protecting everyone in our
care.

20. Closing Prayer (con’t) *Please stand
Leader: God weeps when any child, youth
or vulnerable person is abused
and misused.
All: As people of God, it is our
responsibility to work for the
rights of all persons. We must
make God’s beautiful world
safe for everyone.
In Jesus Name We Pray…Amen