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Safety Policy

Child, Youth & Adult

Policy Statement

The Lake Travis United Methodist Church of Austin Texas (LTUMC) is committed to providing an environment which is as safe as possible for all children and youth attending church or any LTUMC sponsored program or activity. In addition, LTUMC is committed to taking necessary precautions to protect its church leaders from accusations and suspicions. The purpose of these policies and procedures is to protect the following:

This document is intended to be in accordance with the Child, Youth, and Adult Safety Policy of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Adopted in June 2000.

Procedures Applicability

These policies and procedures shall apply to all activities involving children and youth that are sponsored or supervised by LTUMC. All workers assigned to such activities by LTUMC are to comply with and conduct themselves according to these policies and procedures. Failure to comply shall subject the worker to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from employment and/or work with any children or youth.

These policies and procedures shall apply to all activities involving children and youth that are sponsored or supervised by LTUMC. All workers assigned to such activities by LTUMC are to comply with and conduct themselves according to these policies and procedures. Failure to comply shall subject the worker to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal from employment and/or work with any children or youth.

Exception for Child Care Facilities Subject to State Requirements

LTUMC operates childcare programs that come within the purview of the State. Nothing in this policy is meant to alter or change any requirements imposed by the State. This policy exempts those programs from the specified Team Approach coverage, understanding that the State requirements for Child/Safety ratios and groupings as found in the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Minimum Standards & Guidelines for Day Care Centers will be followed. While this policy exempts those programs from the specified Team Approach coverage it is understood that wherever possible every attempt should be made to comply with the Team Approach guidelines as outlined by LTUMC.

Waiver of Policies and Procedures

The goal of LTUMC is to promote safety while maintaining practical flexibility in children and youth ministries. Policies may be waived only for circumstances or instances outside of its control (example Ð LTUMC's affiliation with outside organizations on mission projects or Conference/District events). The Director of Discipleship Ministries or the Senior Pastor will only authorize waiving of policies. Parents will be advised of the waiver and must provide written permission for their minor to participate.

Child /Youth Protection Procedures

All designated individuals coming into contact with children and youth will complete the applications for the level I or II screening process. Only the senior pastor or the pastor's designee will see completed forms. The Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church will be the agency to obtain police and law enforcement background checks to the extent that they are requested.

Level I Screening

Application Form with signed statement that they will abide by LTUMC Child/Youth/Adult Safety Policy and Procedures, as well as an abuse statement, three reference checks, background check, personal interview. Download Level I Screening Form

Level II Screening

Application Form with signed statement that they will abide by LTUMC Child/Youth/Adult Safety Policy and Procedures, as well as an abuse statement. Informal reference checks and a personal interview by appropriate supervisory staff will be conducted if deemed necessary. Download Level II Sceening Form

Level III Screening

Names of all potential volunteer workers will be submitted to the Staff Directors as a screening procedure. Download Level III Screening Form

Other Information

Persons who have been in continuous service with minors at LTUMC prior to January 1, 2000 will not be subject to reference checks or the personal interview unless deemed necessary by the Staff Director. They will however be subject to all other screening including background checks.

Persons who have been convicted of, placed on regular or deferred adjudicated probation for, received pre-trial diversion for, pled guilty or nolo contendre for any Prohibited Offense shall not serve in any capacity involving children or youth. Prohibited Offense includes any offense involving sexual contact, physical abuse, violence or threatened violence, or such other felony or crime involving moral turpitude as determined by the Senior Pastor.

Adult survivors of child abuse will be asked if they would like to meet with clergy prior to working with children/youth. The Pastor shall determine from the screening procedure and the interview if the worker may work with minors.

General Screening Policies

LTUMC has a three level screening policy for persons within our church whose work requires contact with minors. The levels are based on the amount and type of contact these individuals will have with children and youth involved in programming.

Level I Screening

This is required for all paid personnel (full and part-time), and volunteer personnel who will be engaged in unsupervised contact with children and youth, or who may be in charge of taking youth or children off site. This may include persons who are unknown or non-members of LTUMC or current members who have applied to participate with children and youth at this level. This level includes:
1. All paid staff members over the age of 18 (full and part time) are required to complete level I screening procedures.
2. Any of the following types of volunteer personnel:

Level II Screening

This is required for all non-paid personnel who are engaged in extended contact with children and youth. Level II screening is appropriate for:

Level III Screening

This is required for all persons engaged in one time or short-term contact with children and youth

General Protection Policies

Training

All Level One workers will be required to complete a Child/Youth Protection training seminar within 6 months of starting. Present workers will be asked to sign off on this training indicating their agreement to LTUMC policies and procedures. Workers, who do not participate in this training, or sign off on this agreement, will be relieved of their service until the training is completed. The training is to include, but not be limited to:

Transportation

All drivers will comply with the Driving for LTUMC Pamphlet rules. This pamphlet contains, but is not limited to rules pertaining to parent permission, vehicle maintenance, licensing, age of drivers, etc.

Childcare Procedures

All workers (adult and youth) will comply with the rules set forth in the LTUMC Policies and Procedures Parental Information Pamphlet. This pamphlet contains but is not limited to rules pertaining to nametag use, release procedures, rest room procedures, team approach care, etc.)

Team Approach

Wherever practical, a minimum of two (unrelated) individuals shall be present during any given activity involving minors. At least one of these individuals shall have completed the required screening and training. In Sunday School or similar teaching situations, it is acceptable to have individual classes or groups with one adult worker provided a second adult worker or Staff Director is present in the area.

Wherever practical, persons under the age of 18 who are asked to be with children will be under the supervision of an adult.

There must be more than 5 years difference between the ages of the supervisor and the supervised. Persons being closer in age than the 5 years may be acceptable in assisting the adult on site supervisor.

No worker will be permitted to be alone with a minor behind a closed door. Unplanned contacts between a minor and workers shall be conducted under the same rules as planned activities. A worker can talk with a minor behind closed doors as long as there is observation by another adult.

Behavior

Parents shall be permitted to observe a room at any time. A worker may inform the parent that his/her presence may be disruptive to the child and the class.

Using physical restraint to prevent a child from harming self or others is permitted and in some cases may be necessary. This should however be done in a positive manner with words of encouragement.

Disciplinary problems should be reported to the parent/legal guardian/custodian and the Staff Director.

Physical affection should be used appropriately. Touching to comfort or affirm a child in an age appropriate manner is permitted.

Workers changing diapers should do so in an open area.

Reporting Procedures

Obligation to Report and Immunity

In all cases where a worker has reasonable cause to believe that a minor may be abused or neglected, the worker is obligated by Texas law to report such incidence. This report is made to a local law enforcement agency or to the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Child Abuse Hotline TDPRS (800-252-5400) within 48 hours of first learning of the possible abuse.

A worker who becomes aware of any inappropriate behavior with a child, or abuse or molestation with any ministry activity is encouraged to also immediately report the incident or suspicions (in writing when available) to the appropriate Staff Director or Senior Pastor.

If the worker is in doubt regarding whether a report should be made, he/she should telephone the TDPRS (by themselves or with the Staff Director if they wish his/her presence) to discuss the situation with a councilor to determine whether a report should be made. Document the name and title of the counselor and their recommendation.

Should child abuse allegations occur, workers will:

Response Procedures

1. When someone receives a report of an incident of abuse, he/she shall immediately take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the alleged victim.

2. The person reporting the suspected abuse and the appropriate Staff Director, in a joint effort, shall complete the written Suspicion of Child Abuse Report and submit it to the Senior Pastor or his Designee.

3. In the case of an actual allegation, these guidelines should be followed by the Senior Pastor or his designee:

Conclusion

We have the responsibility to provide a safe place for children and youth to learn and grow in God's love. The development of policies and procedures is key to protecting the minors, our church and its workers by providing a safe and secure environment for the children and youth entrusted in our care.