Children/Youth Protection Program
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)
Children came to Jesus in trusting love and simple faith. This program exists for the purpose of protecting the simple faith and loving innocence of all children and youth who participate in activities sponsored by Christ the Savior Lutheran Church. It is the commitment of this church to expend any amount of effort necessary to ensure the spiritual, emotional and physical safety and well-being of children and youth entrusted to our care.
The Children/Youth Protection Program exists for these purposes
- to provide a safe environment for children and youth
- to communicate strongly that this church community is serious about providing protection from child abuse
- to protect staff and volunteers from liability associated with false allegations
- to ensure proper training of all paid and volunteer workers who work with minors
- to establish a procedure for reporting any suspicions of child abuse or neglect to authorities in compliance with Indiana laws
- to be prepared to extend ministry to persons affected by an incident (after advised it is appropriate to do so, by County Child Protection Services)
Supervised Interaction with Children and Youth
Christ the Savior Lutheran Church has established parameters for the close supervision of persons working with children or youth.
- Two Adult Rule – Two adults are present at every Children or Youth event. Appropriate adults may be staff, volunteer helpers of parents of children.
- Regular workers in children and youth ministry have picture IDs.
- Parents and other approved observers are welcome to visit programs at any time.
- Window blinds and doors are kept open whenever possible. Classrooms and office rooms have windows in doors.
- Two adults escort children and youth on group outings. (No youth are allowed to drive on church sponsored outings.)
- Staff and helpers follow specific guidelines regarding diaper changing and rest room supervision.
Parental permission is obtained ahead of time if an adult will be alone with a child – i.e. transporting someone to an activity.
- If the Two-Adult rule cannot be followed, events will be cancelled.
Screening
Careful screening of all persons who work with children and youth is imperative to providing a safe environment.
- “Six Month” rule - A volunteer must be a member of CTS for a period of six months before being allowed to work in direct contact with children or youth.
- A Children/Youth Worker Screening Form is used to screen all clergy, paid staff and volunteers over the age of 18 who are involved in ministry activities prior to beginning work in those areas.
- References are contacted as part of the screening process- two members of CTS and one individual from another source.
- Persons who have been formally charged with child neglect or abuse are not permitted to serve in direct contact with children or youth.
- Youth who wish to serve as paid childcare workers in the Nursery must be at least 12 years old and have completed a childcare or lifesaving technique course (or comparable training).
If you have any questions regarding this program, please talk to the Church Administrator.
Training
- The Children/Youth Protection Program is reviewed with individuals prior to active involvement.
- Attendance at an annual training event is mandatory for all persons working directly with minors.
- Each individual at the annual training event signs a Participant Covenant Statement.
Children/Youth Protection Team
A Children/Youth Team oversees the implementation of Christ the Savior’s Children/Youth Protection Program. The team meets quarterly to review policies, assess practices, and to ensure that proper communication, screening, supervision and training are occurring. Members of the team are:
- Church Administrator
- Director of Children’s Ministry
- Minister of Youth and Family
- Nursery Coordinator
- Director of Noah's Ark Preschool
Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect to Authorities
Any person must be ready in any part of their world to safeguard and protect the trusting love and innocence of minors. Any person who has “reason to believe” that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect has a duty to report. The “duty to report” is not limited to events on our premises or under our supervision. It applies to events occurring elsewhere subject only to the condition that as a result of the event the child must be in need of some sort of care, treatment or rehabilitation that he/she is not receiving and would not receive without intervention by the courts.
- When to report – immediately
- Who to report to – Local Child Protection or local law enforcement agency
- Child Protection Service – 773-2183
- Town of Fishers Police – 595-3300
- Hamilton County Sheriff Dept. – 773-1872
- How to report – orally
- The report is confidential