183 South Broad Street, Nazareth, PA, 18064 (610) 759.0893

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About St. John's

Policies for the Protection of Children & Youth from Abuse

St. John's United Church of Christ

Nazareth, PA

Table of Contents

I. Code of Conduct for Protection of Children and Youth

II. General Definitions
1. Church Personnel
2. Children and youth
3. Regularly or Occasionally Work With or Around Children or Youth
4. Types of abuse

III. Safeguards for Children and Youth
1. Screening and Selection
2. Education and Training Requirements
3. Monitoring and Supervision of Programs
4. General Conduct for the Protection of Children and Youth

IV. Responding to Problems
1. Reporting Inappropriate Behaviors or Policy Violations with Children or Youth
2. Reporting Suspected Abuse of Children or Youth

Appendices
A. Guidelines for Appropriate Affection
B. Confidential Notice of Concern

I. Code of Conduct for Protection of Children and Youth

Relationships among people are at the foundation of Christian ministry and as such are central to the life of the church. Defining healthy and safe relationships through policies and codes of conduct is not meant, in any way, to undermine the strength and importance of personal interaction in our ministries. Rather, it is to assist in more clearly defining behaviors and practices that allow the church to more fully demonstrate its love and compassion for children and youth in sincere and genuine relationships.

Relationships in ministry should, ideally, always be experienced as caring and without intention to do harm or allow harm to occur. This Code of Conduct has been adopted by St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth PA to help the church create safe environments for children and youth and for those who minister to them. All Church Personnel (see definition below) are asked to carefully consider each statement in the Code and within the Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse before agreeing to adhere to the statements and continue in service to the church.

Code of Conduct for Protection of Children and Youth

Church Personnel agree to do their best to prevent abuse and neglect among children and youth involved in church activities and services.
Church Personnel agree to not physically, sexually or emotionally abuse or neglect any child or youth.
Church Personnel agree to comply with the policies for general conduct with children and youth as defined in these Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse.
All Church Personnel agree to comply with the Guidelines for Appropriate Affection with children and youth.
In the event that Church Personnel observe any inappropriate behaviors or possible policy violations with children or youth, church personnel agree to immediately report their observations.
All Church Personnel acknowledge their obligation and responsibility to protect children and youth and agree to report known or suspected abuse of children or youth to appropriate church leaders and state authorities in accordance with these policies.
Church Personnel understand that the church will not tolerate abuse of children and youth and agree to comply in spirit and in action with this position.

II. General Definitions

1. Church Personnel
For the purposes of this policy, the following are included in the definition of Church Personnel when they are functioning in their respective roles for the church:

All clergy whether stipendiary, non-stipendiary, or otherwise who are engaged in ministry or service to this congregation.
All paid personnel whether employed in areas of ministry or other kinds of services at St. John’s UCC including those employed by St. John’s UCC Nursery School.
Volunteers, including any person who enters into, offers him or herself or actually assists with ministries, programs or activities of the church, whether or not they have been selected or assigned to do so.

2. Children and Youth

A child is defined as anyone under the age of 12 years.
A youth is defined as anyone who is at least 12 years old, but not yet 18 years old. A youth may also be an individual who is 18 years old or older, but still in high school.

3. Regularly or Occasionally Work With or Around Children or Youth
For the purpose of this policy, the following are included in the definition of Church Personnel who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth:

All clergy whether stipendiary, non-stipendiary, or otherwise who are engaged in ministry or service to the church.
All paid or volunteer Church Personnel whose work regularly takes them throughout the facility or grounds or who has keys giving them access to the buildings on the grounds.
All persons who supervise or assist with supervising children or youth in ministries, programs or activities more often than occasionally.
All persons who provide transportation to children or youth without other adults in the vehicle more often than occasionally.
Any paid personnel whose living quarters are on the grounds of the church, school or other related agency.
Members of the Church and Ministry Committee.

Examples of Church Personnel who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth: include, but are not limited to:

Church school teachers
Children’s or youth choir directors
Organists who work with children or youth
Volunteer youth leaders and confirmation mentors
All Church Personnel who provide child care service more than four times a year.
All Church Personnel who provide child care service if they are the only person over 21 present at any time
All staff, whether volunteer or paid, at church camps.
Adults who participate in overnight activities with children or youth.

For the purpose of this policy, the following are included in the definition of Church Personnel who Occasionally Work With or Around Children or Youth:

All persons who supervise or assist with supervising children or youth in ministries, programs or activities infrequently, generally no more than three times a year or for one program or activity during a year that lasts less than a month (i.e. assisting with preparation for the Christmas pageant, or teaching one “unit” of Church School for a month).
All persons who provide transportation to children or youth infrequently, generally no more than three times a year.
All persons who provide child care services four or fewer times a year, whether on an emergency basis or otherwise.

4. Types of abuse

Physical abuse is non-accidental injury, which is intentionally inflicted upon a child or youth.
Sexual abuse perpetrated by an adult is any contact or activity of a sexual nature that occurs between a child or youth and an adult. This includes any activity, which is meant to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of the adult, child or youth.
Sexual abuse perpetrated by another child or youth is any contact or activity of a sexual nature that occurs between a child or youth and another child or youth when there is no consent, when consent is not possible, or when one child or youth has power over the other child or youth. This includes any activity which is meant to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of any of the children or youth.
Emotional abuse is mental or emotional injury to a child or youth that results in an observable and material impairment in the child or youth’s growth, development or psychological functioning.
Neglect is the failure to provide for a child or youth's basic needs or the failure to protect a child or youth from harm.
Economic exploitation is the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful temporary or permanent use of a child or youth's belongings or money.

III. Safeguards for Children and Youth

1. Screening and Selection
Any and all Church Personnel who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth shall be screened and selected utilizing at least the following:

A standard application completed by the applicant that includes an authorization for the release of information to conduct background checks and a copy of this policy.
Criminal records check as determined by the church.
Sexual offender registry check as determined by the church.
Individual interview with the applicant.
Reference checks
Copy of a valid Driving license and copy of current insurance card if the person may be transporting children or youth.

Any and all Church Personnel who Occasionally Work With or Around Children or Youth shall be screened and selected utilizing at least the following:

A standard application completed by the applicant that includes an acknowledgment for the release of information to conduct background checks and a copy of this policy.
Individual interview with the applicant.
Reference checks
Copy of a valid Driving license and copy of current insurance card if the person may be transporting children or youth.

Additional steps to be taken include:

All information gathered about an applicant will be carefully reviewed by the Senior Pastor or his/her designate to make a determination, in consultation with others as necessary, of whether or not the person is appropriate to work with children or youth.
Church Personnel who work with or around children or youth must have a personnel file that is kept where other church records are kept.
Each applicants file will be kept secure. No information will be disclosed except to the person who are collecting the information or the person recruiting or supervising the position, or the Senior Pastor.
Criminal records checks and sexual offender registry checks will be conducted every five (5) years for Church Personnel who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth.
Church Personnel who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth and who have completed a comparable Criminal Records Check and/or Sexual Offender Registry check may present that documentation for use by the church provided such documents are dated within two years.

2. Education and Training Requirements

Child abuse prevention education and training is required for all Church Personnel Who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth and Church Personnel Who Occasionally Work with or Around Children or Youth as determined by the church. The training shall begin before they start their work with children or youth and must be completed within three months of starting the training.
Church Personnel who are responsible for screening and selection of Church Personnel Who Regularly Work With or Around Children or Youth and Church Personnel Who Occasionally Work with or Around Children or Youth are required to complete additional specialized education and training in screening, selection and monitoring.
The approved training programs will be stipulated by the Consistory.

3. Monitoring and Supervision of Programs

All programs involving youth must have a ratio of one adult for every eight youth. All programs involving children must have a ratio of one adult for every eight children.
Church Personnel are prohibited from being alone with a child or youth or multiple children or youth where other adults cannot easily observe them, except in transport situations as explained next.
Church Personnel may be the sole adult in a vehicle when transporting more than one child or youth. Church Personnel may be the sole adult in a vehicle with a single child or youth if that sole passenger is their own child. The sole adult may drop a child or youth at their home provided that there is always more than one child or youth remaining in the vehicle after the drop-off, unless the sole remaining passenger is their own child.
Church Personnel over the age of 21 must directly supervise Church Personnel under the age of 18 and be physically present during all activities
An up to date list of approved ministries, activities and programs of the church for children and youth will be maintained in the church office or other place where church records are kept.
When supervising or assisting private activities such as dressing, showering diapering or toileting infants or children, Church Personnel will remain in an area observable by other adults or work in pairs.
When both boys and girls are participating in an event lasting eight hours or more, male and female adults must be present.
All Church Personnel who work with children or youth must agree to comply with the St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth PA Guidelines for Appropriate Affection (Appendix A).
Programs for infants and children under six (6) years old will have procedures to ensure that children are released only to their parents or legal guardians or those designated by them.
Church Personnel are prohibited from the use, possession, distribution, or being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or the misuse of legal drugs while participating in or assisting with programs or activities specifically for children or youth.
Parents or guardians must complete written permission forms before Church Personnel transport children and youth for a ministry, activity, or program of the church or for any purpose on more than an occasional basis.
Church Personnel will respond to children and youth with respect, consideration and equal treatment, regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, culture or socio-economic status.
One-to-one counseling with children or youth will be done in an open or public or other place where private conversations are possible but occur in full view of others.
Church Personnel are prohibited from dating or becoming romantically involved with a child or youth.
Church Personnel are prohibited from having sexual contact with a child or youth.
Church Personnel are prohibited from possessing any sexually oriented materials (magazines, cards, videos, films, clothing etc.) on church property or in the presence of children or youth except as expressly permitted as part of a pre-authorized educational program.
Church Personnel are prohibited from using the Internet to view or download any sexually oriented materials on church property or in the presence of children or youth.
Church Personnel are prohibited from discussing their own sexual activities, including dreams and fantasies, or discussing their use of sexually oriented or explicit materials such as pornography, videos or materials on or from the Internet, with children or youth.
Church Personnel are prohibited from sleeping in the same beds, sleeping bags, tents, hotel rooms or other rooms with children or youth unless the adult is an immediate family member of all children or youth in the bed, sleeping bag, tent, hotel room or other room. It is acceptable to have multiple adults sleep with all the children or youth participating in one open space such as a church basement or camp lodge.
Church Personnel are prohibited from dressing, undressing, bathing, or showering in the presence of children or youth.
Church Personnel are prohibited from using physical punishment in any way for behavior management of children and youth. No form of physical discipline is acceptable. This prohibition includes spanking, slapping, pinching, hitting, or any other physical force. Physical force may only be used to stop a behavior that may cause immediate harm to the individual or to a child, youth or others.
Church Personnel are prohibited from using harsh language, degrading punishment, or mechanical restraint such as rope or tape for behavior management.
Church Personnel are prohibited from participating in or allowing others to conduct any hazing activities relating to children’s or youth ministry or camp activities.

IV. Responding to Problems

1. Reporting Inappropriate Behaviors or Policy Violations with children or youth

When Church Personnel observe any inappropriate behaviors, behaviors that are inconsistent with the Guidelines for Appropriate Affection, or which may violate any provision of these Policies the for Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse, they must immediately report their observations.
Such inappropriate behaviors or possible policy violations that relate to interactions with children or youth should be reported in one of the following ways:
A telephone call or meeting with the Senior Pastor, if the person is not the Senior Pastor.
A telephone call or meeting with any other Authorized Minister of the congregation.
A telephone call or meeting with any member of the Church and Ministry Committee.
Submit a Notice of Concern (Appendix B), signed or unsigned, to the Senior Pastor, an Authorized Minister of the congregation, or any member of the Church and Ministry Committee.

2. Reporting Suspected Abuse of Children or Youth

All Church Personnel are required by this policy to report known or suspected abuse of children or youth to the County Children and Youth agency. Failure to report suspected abuse of children or youth may be a crime. Reports may be made confidentially or anonymously.
In addition to reporting to the appropriate authorities, Church Personnel are required to report any suspected or known abuse of children or youth that may have been perpetrated by Church Personnel so that immediate and proper steps may be taken to ensure the safety of alleged victims. Suspected or known abuse should be reported in one of the following ways:
A telephone call or meeting with the Senior Pastor, if the person is not the Senior Pastor.
A telephone call or meeting with any other Authorized Minister of the congregation.
A telephone call or meeting with any member of the Church and Ministry Committee.
Submit a Notice of Concern (Appendix B), signed or unsigned, to the Senior Pastor, an Authorized Minister of the congregation, or any member of the Church and Ministry Committee.
St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth PA will cooperate with any investigation by county or state authorities to the fullest extent appropriate and inform authorities that a concurrent internal investigation will be directed by the Church and Ministry Committee.

Appendices

Appendix A - Guidelines for Appropriate Affection
St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth PA is committed to creating and promoting a positive, nurturing environment for our children’s and youth ministries that protect our children and youth from abuse and our Church Personnel from misunderstandings. The following guidelines are to be carefully followed by all Church Personnel working around or with children or youth.

Love and affection are part of church life and ministry. There are many ways to demonstrate affection while maintaining positive and safe boundaries with children and youth. Some positive and appropriate forms of affection are listed below:
Brief hugs.
Pats on the shoulder or back.
Handshakes.
“High-fives” and hand slapping.
Verbal praise.
Touching hands, faces, shoulders and arms of children or youth.
Arms around shoulders.
Holding hands while walking with small children.
Sitting beside small children.
Kneeling or bending down for hugs with small children.
Holding hands during prayer.
Pats on the head when culturally appropriate.

B. The following forms of affection are considered inappropriate with children and youth in ministry setting because many of them are the behaviors that child molesters use to groom children or youth and their parents for later molestation or can be, in and of themselves, sexual abuse.

Inappropriate or lengthy embraces.
Kisses on the mouth.
Holding children over three years old on the lap repeatedly or for extended periods of time.
Touching bottoms, chests or genital areas other than for appropriate diapering or toileting of infants and toddlers.
Showing affection in isolated areas such as bedrooms, closets, staff only areas or other private rooms.
Occupying a bed with a child or youth
Touching knees or legs of children or youth.
Wrestling with children or youth.
Tickling children or youth.
Piggyback rides.
Any type of massage given by a child or youth to an adult.
Any type of massage given by an adult to a child or youth.
Any form of unwanted affection.
Comments or compliments, spoken, written, or electronic, that relate to physique or body development or that are sexual in nature. Examples would be, “You sure are developing,” or “You look really hot in those jeans.”
Snapping bras or giving wedgies or similar touching of underwear whether or not it is covered by other clothing.
Giving gifts or money to individual children or youth.
Private meals with individual children or youth.
Repeated and sustained private communication, spoken, written or electronic, not related a church program or one’s church employment.

Appendix B - Confidential Notice of Concern

Individual(s) of Concern: __________________________________________

Date of occurrence: __________________ Time of occurrence: ____________________

Type of Concern:
   Inappropriate behavior with a child or youth
   Policy violation with a child or youth
   Possible risk of abuse
 Other concern:

Describe the situation: What happened, where it happened, when it happened, who was involved, who was present, who was notified? If reported to County or State authorities, what was their recommendation about investigating? Attach additional sheets if needed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Has this situation ever occurred previously? Attach additional sheets if needed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What action was taken? How was the situation handled, who was involved, who was questioned, were police called? Attach additional sheets if needed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the follow-up plan? Does anyone else need to be notified? Will the situation need monitoring? Would you like someone to call you to discuss this situation? Attach additional sheets if needed.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Submitted by: (Please print)

Name: ___________________________________________ Phone: _________________

Address: ________________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________ Date: __________________

Reviewed by:

Name: ______________________________________________

Signature: __________________________________________ Date: _________________