Child, Youth and Vulnerable Adult
Protection Policy
Fridley United Methodist Church
Introduction:
The General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1996, adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child abuse in the church. The adopted resolution, continued in 2000, 2004 and 2008, 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 sea”. (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 United Methodist Church state that “children must be protected from economic, physical and sexual exploitation, and abuse”.
Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child sexual abuse, exploitation and ritual abuse (ritual abuse refers to abusive acts committed as part of ceremonies or rites; ritual abusers are often related to cults) occur in churches, large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural and racial lines. It is real, and it appears to be increasing. Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child (youth or vulnerable adult) sexual abuse and exploitation in their churches. Virtually every congregation has among its members adult survivors of early sexual trauma.
Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved; the child, the family, the local church and its leaders. Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.
God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children 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. (From the Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church – 2008, pp 245-247).
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, we adopt this policy for the prevention of abuse in our church, and it replaces all previous policies. Fridley United Methodist Church
Purpose
Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Protection Policy and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all persons, and to reduce the risk of abuse occurring in our church.
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 persons, as well as those who work with and lead them.
- We follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers. All persons who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults will be screened through the Minnesota Annual Conference or similar screening sites which include state and local sexual predator records.
- We implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events.
- We educate our workers regarding the use of all appropriate policies and methods, including methods of discipline, and, as possible, first aid and related safety skills.
- We have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law. Our volunteers and paid staff are instructed to report all suspected incidents of abuse.
- We are prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.
- We inform parents and guardians of our policies, and provide training for our teachers, leaders and volunteers regarding our policies.
Adopted June 07, updated May 09, March 10
Conclusion
In all of our ministries with children, youth and vulnerable adults, Fridley United Methodist Church is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ through the provision of a safe and sacred place where all persons may learn and grow in faith.
Current screening and application procedures
- Application forms are filled out by both volunteers and paid staff.
- All persons who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults will be screened through the Minnesota Annual Conference screening procedures, through the Rainbow school screening process or through similar procedures and sites.
- Disclosure forms must be signed by all workers, paid and unpaid, concerning past offenses against persons as part of the screening process.
- References are requested and checked.
- Face to face interviews are conducted before employment with paid staff. Phone interviews may suffice with volunteers
- Volunteer workers who have been involved in our ministries before the screening procedures were put in place will be screened over time as funds permit.
- Volunteers who have been screened may be screened again at any time.
Current Safety Procedures
- 2 Adult rule, at least two adults in every classroom whenever possible
- Open door policy
- Sign in and out policy for nursery age
- Parents are requested to pick up children in classrooms and not to allow children to pick up younger siblings in other rooms or to leave the classrooms by themselves.
- Membership: A volunteer must be a church member for 6 months before working in a leadership capacity with children, youth or vulnerable adults. An exception is the long time church constituent who has been volunteering in the ministries for a number of years before these procedures were put into place.
- Written policy for disciplining children
- CPR, AED and first aid training provided for teachers and other volunteers when possible.
- Evacuation procedures are clear and practiced.
- To keep our children and youth as safe as possible, we will not publish identifiable photos on our church web site. Photos of children and youth will be used in the classrooms, in written church publicity, on church displays such as bulletin without identification of individual children. Parents/Guardians will be asked to sign a permission form for the children’s and youth’s photos to be used in these ways.
- Transportation of children or youth:
- Permission will be obtained before transporting children or youth, which releases the church from liability and provides medical authorization.
- Drivers will prove valid driver’s licenses and insurance.
- All children and youth will use seat belts.
- Drivers will be at least age 25, and another adult will be present whenever possible.
Approved by Administrative and Program Teams, Fridley United Methodist Church 6/03/2007
RESOURCES:
Child Protection Services
Report child abuse Emergency: 763 427-1212 Non-emergency 763-422-6990
Anoka County Victim/Witness Program
Sexual Assault Resource 24 hour crisis line from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. is 763-323-5559.
After hours and weekends only call 763-427-1212
Anoka Crisis Nursery
Will do up to 72 hour placements of children infants to 12 years old in licensed shelter home; emergency day time care in licensed day care, and drop in crisis child care.
Anoka County Human Services
For more information about adult protection, or to make a confidential report of suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult, call: 763-422-7168
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