Audubon Park United Methodist Church, Spokane, WA

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FROM THE PASTOR"S HEART:

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
SAFE CHURCH POLICE GUIDELINES
Re: CLASSES-ACTIVITIES-VBS-WORSHIP, ETC.

In August 2008, Audubon Park UMC adopted the AUDUBON PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHILD/YOUTH/VULNERABLE ADULT (CYVA) SAFETY & ABUSE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM. Copies available upon request) Following is the Introduction to this document and a statement of procedures APUMC will follow in our Discipleship Hour and other programs for children.

God is blessing us with more children to love into God's Kingdom than we have had for a long time. (Up 300% since September) Changing realities require us to change some procedures to accommodate the larger numbers of children. We are expecting and planning for even more children and their families to join APUMC in the future so we are implementing the following procedures with this expectation in mind. What worked well with a few children will not allow us to serve many with the increased need and expectation for safety the law and the gospel insists on today.
(L. Carlyle Martin)

INTRODUCTION
(to CYVA Safety & Abuse Prevention and Response Program)

The United Methodist Church has had a history of concern for the welfare of our children and youth. In 1996, the General Conference adopted a resolution which includes 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 seas." (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 The United Methodist Church state that "...children must be protected from economic, physical and sexual exploitation, and abuse."

God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children, youth, 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.

Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations and by the direction of the General Conference to protect the children, youth and vulnerable adults in our ministry, we adopt this policy for program safety and the prevention of abuse in our church.

SUPERVISION

No fewer than 2 adults shall be present with each age group of children. If the 2 adults are related, a third adult will also be assigned.

NURSERY AND PRESCHOOL:

A minimum of 2 adults will be present at all times
Changing diapers and assisting a young child with the bathroom needs to take place where the worker and the child are in sight with the child's privacy protected
Only infants and pre-school children are to be dropped off in the nursery. When a pre-school program is designed and staffed, the preschool chidlren will have their own class separate from the nursery.

ELEMENTARY CHILDREN - Discipleship Hour:

Parents are to drop children off in the age appropriate class.
Children will be dismissed from class or activities only if accompanied by the parent, guardian, or a designated person on file.
If the designated person picking up a child is not known to the teachers, a picture ID will be required.

IN BETWEEN TIMES

During the free gathering times before, in between and after classes, during worship services or after the services, children are to be supervised by the parent or guardian.
Only infants and preschool children will be allowed in the nursery.

REST ROOM PROCEDURE:

The restroom is the most vulnerable situation where children are most at risk of potential abuse and adults are most at risk of being falsely accused of abuse.

THEREFORE:

Parents are encouraged to have their preschool children use the restroom with parental supervision prior to the start of a class or activity.
Parents and guardians of elementary age children should accompany their child to the restroom if needed during the worship service or free time.
Teachers should use the monitor or cell phone to contact an adult (Superintendent) to accompany any child needing the restroom. Two adults must stay in the classroom.

AGE LIMITS

Persons working or volunteering with children and youth must be at least 5 years older than the group they are supervising.
Children and youth are to attend classes and activities according to the set age and time boundaries.
No elementary, middle school or high schoolers will be allowed in the nursery or preschool room at any time.

REGISTRATION

Before a child is admitted to a class or activity, appropriate paperwork must be filled out for safety and health reasons.

Additional Information

6 MONTH RULE - in order to be eligible to work with children and youth, volunteers should have regularly attended worship and/or Sunday School for six month.
Staff and/or parents have an open invitation to make unannounced visits to classes and activities.
Incident reports for any injury - minor or major- must be filled out by the supervisory adults and kept on file in the Christian Education office.

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