St. John's United Methodist Church
Child Protection Policy Statement
Adopted December 01, 2008

Purpose:
Our congregation's purpose for establishing this Child Protection Policy Statement and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth.
Statement of Covenant: Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and a United Methodist congregation, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth as well as all of the workers with children and youth; we will implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events; we will provide education for all of our workers with children and youth regarding the use of all appropriate policies; we will have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law, and we will be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.
In addition, we recognize that in specific circumstances adults can be as vulnerable as children. To these individuals we also make a commitment to their safety and spiritual growth by the implementation of this policy.
Conclusion: In all of our ministries with children, youth, and vulnerable adults this congregation is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each person will be "surrounded by steadfast love,…established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal: ("Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44).

Two-adult rule:
The Two Adult Rule states that there should be a minimum of two adults present for any activity with children or youth. Wherever practical, the two-adult rule applies to all activities with children and youth. Whenever having two adults is not practical either a "floater" between multiple classrooms shall be present or the activity should take place in a classroom with open doors or doors with windows.
Focus on Church Wide Education:
Annual First Aid and CPR training is strongly encouraged for all workers with children and youth.
Annual Orientation for Workers with Children and Youth
We will offer a workshop annually for all workers, both paid and volunteer, who work with children and youth that addresses issues around working with children and youth as well as Safe Sanctuaries policies.

Policy Availability
The policy shall be made available to all who work with children and youth, paid or volunteer.
The policy will be included with the volunteer applications, available on the church website, and/or posted in a visible location.

Six Months Hospitality:
New volunteers will be mentored for at least six months before engaging in primary leadership with children or youth.

Windows and Doors
All meeting rooms where activities with children and youth are scheduled should be in an open room or have doors with windows, and the doors shall remain unlocked at all times.
Five Years Older Rule: One leader for all children and youth programs must be at least five years older than the oldest child or youth.

Transportation of Children or Youth
Only persons over the age of twenty-one with a valid Maryland Driver's License and volunteer application on file will be permitted to transport children or youth.

Counseling Situations:
In any counseling situation the door of the room used should remain open for the entire session or be held in a room with windows in the door with all individuals remaining clearly visible to others. If these conditions cannot be met, the counseling session should be rescheduled for another time and place, when these guidelines can be met.

Annual Safety Review:
We make a recommendation to the Church Council and Trustees that a complete and annual review of the church property should be made to ensure facility safety and appropriate equipment is used in classrooms for children and youth. We also encourage the Trustees to ensure that we are adequately insured or indemnified in case of accident.

Background Checks:
Background Checks will be conducted for all staff and key volunteer leaders interacting with children and youth including but not limited to the Youth Volunteers, Children's Coordinator(s), Sunday School Teachers, Children's Church Leaders, Nursery Volunteers and anyone who engages in leadership of an ongoing program that requires direct contact with children or youth.
Background checks will be conducted every five years. Concerns arising from the background search will be taken to the Staff Parish Relations Committee for staff members and the standing Safe Sanctuaries team for volunteers.
For staff, as part of the application process, the background check will be completed within 60 days of hiring, for all paid staff including clergy. No employee shall interact directly with children or youth before the background check is complete.

Volunteer Application
All volunteers who work with children or youth will have a completed volunteer application to be renewed annually.
Applications will be made available on the church web page, in the church office, and at annual Safe Sanctuaries training events.
Volunteer Applications are required for all non-staff working with those under the age of eighteen. This includes, but is not limited to: children and youth Sunday School Teachers, Nursery Volunteers, Children's Church Volunteers, UMYF leaders and counselors.
The completed forms will be held in strictest confidence in a locked document safe. Those with permission to view these applications will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. Clergy, Youth Coordinator(s), Children's Coordinator(s), and the members of the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee are granted access to these forms. The forms will be held on record for five years, after which time they will be destroyed.

Permission Slips
Parents must be notified anytime children or youth are taken off church property and in addition written consent and emergency information release forms are required if children or youth are taken beyond neighboring businesses or residents.

Website:
The church website or any other widely accessible publications should not include the full name for children and youth, or name of a child or youth alongside a picture.

Outside Groups
All outside groups involving children or youth using the facility must comply with these guidelines and shall be required to sign a statement of compliance.