Maywood Evangelical Free Church

Rockford, IL 61109             

3621 Samuelson Road

 

 

 

 

 

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1      Introduction..................................................................................................... 5

1.1        Purpose & Scope...................................................................................................... 5

1.2        Document Description............................................................................................... 5

1.3        Definitions............................................................................................................... 5

1.4        References................................................................................................................ 6

2      Nursery (Children under two years old)..................................................... 7

2.1        Drop-off/Pick-up Procedure....................................................................................... 7

2.2        Architectural Precautions.......................................................................................... 7

2.3        Bathroom/Diaper Changing Policy............................................................................. 7

2.4        Staffing Guidelines................................................................................................... 8

2.5        Staff/Supervisor Communication during Sunday School & Services............................. 9

2.6        Discipline................................................................................................................ 9

2.7        Physical Contact..................................................................................................... 10

3      Pre-school (2 years old through kindergarten )................................... 11

3.1        Drop-off/Pick-up Procedure..................................................................................... 11

3.2        Architectural Precautions......................................................................................... 12

3.3        Bathroom Policy..................................................................................................... 12

3.4        Staffing Guidelines................................................................................................. 12

3.5        Staff/Supervisor Communication during Sunday School............................................ 13

3.6        Discipline............................................................................................................... 13

3.7        Physical Contact..................................................................................................... 16

4      Elementary School (1^st grade through 6^th grade).............................. 17

4.1        Drop-off/Pick-up Procedure..................................................................................... 17

4.2        Architectural Precautions......................................................................................... 17

4.3        Bathroom Policy..................................................................................................... 17

4.4        Staffing Guidelines................................................................................................. 17

4.5        Staff/Supervisor Communication during Sunday School............................................ 17

4.6        Discipline............................................................................................................... 17

4.7        Physical Contact..................................................................................................... 19

4.8        Special Events/Overnight Policies............................................................................. 20

5      Youth (7^th grade through 12^th grade)......................................................... 22

5.1        Drop-off/Pick-up Procedure..................................................................................... 22

5.2        Architectural Precautions......................................................................................... 22

5.3        Staffing Guidelines................................................................................................. 22

5.4        Discipline............................................................................................................... 23

5.5        Physical Contact..................................................................................................... 23

5.6        Special Events/Overnight Policies............................................................................. 25

5.7        Special Concerns.................................................................................................... 26

6      In Case of Fire.................................................................................................. 27

7      In Case of Tornado....................................................................................... 27

8      In Case of Emergency.................................................................................. 27

9      Reporting and Responding to Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect...................................................................................................................... 28

10   Accident or incIdent Reporting............................................................. 31

11   Child care worker Screening................................................................ 31

12   Education plan.............................................................................................. 31

 

13   Appendix A Forms......................................................................................... 32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1        Introduction

1.1      Purpose & Scope

The purpose of this document is to define policies and procedures that ensure the protection of children who participate in any church sponsored activities such as Sunday school, AWANA, MOPS, summer church programs, music programs. This policy covers children from birth through the age of 17.

 

The expected audiences for this document are the following: Pastors, Children and Youth administrators, teachers and caretakers of children, and child counselors.

1.2      Document Description

For the convenience of the audience, this document is divided by children's age groups. Some sections common to all ages have also been created. Forms and applications are provided in this document at the back in Appendix A.

1.3      Definitions

The following is a list of definitions that are primarily used in this document.

 

Adult: 18 years or older

 

Elementary School: Children of ages between 6 and 12 years.

 

Emotional Abuse: Verbal comments, actions or statements that would cause a child to believe their person, emotions, physical form, family, race, background, religious background, or social status is somehow bad, inferior, unacceptable or shameful.

 

Ministry Director: This term refers to the Youth Pastor and/or the Children's Director

 

Nursery: Children of under the age of 2 years.

 

Policy Administrator: Individual appointed by the Elders to ensure policy maintenance and execution.

 

Physical Abuse: Inflicts, causes to be inflicted, or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury or pain, by other than accidental means without just cause.

 

Pre-school: Children that are 2 years old through kindergarten.

 

Sexual Abuse: Commits or allows to be committed any sex offense against such child, as such sex offenses are defined in the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, and extending those definitions of sex offenses to include children under 18 years of age.

 

Youth: Children that are in 7^th grade through 12^th grade.

 

 

 

 

1.4      References

 

Hammar, Richard R., Klipowicz, Steven W., Cobble, James F. "Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Your Church" Christian Ministry Resources 1993,

ISBN 1-880562-07-03

 

Illinois State Social Security and Public Welfare Act 194.2 5/3

 

Illinois State Criminal Code of 1961

2        Nursery (Children under two years old)

2.1      Drop-off/Pick-up Procedure

All programs for the nursery will provide a weekly sign-in sheet. Parents are required to complete the information requested.

Children are never to be dropped off at a classroom unless two adults are present.

Generally, supervision will be provided beginning 10 minutes before activity starting time.