Please be sure to read and understand the following WOCC Children's Ministry Policies (click here to download these policies):
Children & Youth Leader Policies and Procedures
I PURPOSE STATEMENT
This policy and procedure statement is provided to help provide a safe environment for the children and ministry workers of White Oak Christian Church (WOCC). WOCC does not tolerate the abuse, harassment or exploitation of children.
II DEFINITIONS
A. What is child abuse?
An abused child is one who has been non-accidentally injured by a parent or caretaker. Examples include children physically injured directly by a parent or caretaker or due to parental negligence as well as mental or emotional trauma caused by parental behavior. A neglected child is one who does not receive adequate food, shelter, supervision, education, or medical care due to the actions of his/her parents.
The definition of child sexual abuse as determined by the National Resource Center on Child Sexual Abuse and as quoted in Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Your Church is:
Any sexual activity with a child- whether in the home by a caretaker, in a day care situation, a foster residential setting, or in any other setting, including on the street by a person unknown to the child. The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent, or another child, provided the child is four years older than the victim.
B. What is a volunteer?
A "volunteer" as the term is used in this policy, is an adult, not a cleric or employee, who functions in a regular relationship with children through the WOCC children’s or youth ministry or related activities. This includes interns, student teachers, high school students and others in similar capacities. This policy encompasses volunteers in its references to "workers." An occasional volunteer, such as a parent who offers to drive for or chaperone a non-overnight event where their child is a participant, may not be subject to all of the screening procedures described below.
III POLICY
The following policies reflect our commitment to provide protective care of all children, youth, and adult volunteers who participate in church sponsored activities. WOCC is committed not only to preventing child abuse of any kind by its leaders, paid employees and volunteers but also to recognizing and addressing abuse if it is suspected in a child’s home environment.
A. Adults convicted of child abuse or neglect
Adults who have been convicted of or pled guilty to child abuse or neglect, or who are actively under investigation for child abuse or neglect, will not be permitted to engage in volunteer service in any church sponsored activity or program for children or youth.
B. Sexual Offenders at WOCC
WOCC may allow a person known to be a sexual offender to remain or become a member of the congregation subject to specific guidelines. A known sexual offender cannot participate in any of the child or youth programs in any way.
C. Application Requirements
Volunteers working with children and youth are typically required to have attended or been a member of White Oak Christian Church for a minimum of six months, including six visits, to complete an application, be interviewed, and provide references. An applicant who has not met the six-month membership requirement may be accepted as a volunteer on a case by case basis in the Church’s discretion
D. Knowledge Requirements
WOCC expects any person who has regular contact with children as part of its Children’s or Youth Ministry, including volunteers, to be knowledgeable about causes and signs of child abuse, the procedures outlined in this policy for protecting children, and the procedures to be followed if abuse is suspected or observed.
IV PROCEDURE
A. Selection and Screening of Workers for the Children’s Ministry
Adults who have been convicted of or pled guilty to child abuse or neglect, or who are actively under investigation for child abuse or neglect, will not be permitted to engage in volunteer service in any church sponsored activity or program for children or youth. Persons who fall within this category but still wish to volunteer will be redirected, where possible, to a ministry which does not involve supervision of or interaction with children.
Other persons wishing to volunteer in WOCC’s Children’s and Youth Ministry will need to satisfy the following qualifications before being allowed to serve as a volunteer.
⋅ Six-Month Waiting Period
Volunteers interested in working with children under the age of 18 typically must have attended or been an attending member of WOCC for a period of at least six months prior to their participation. The six-month waiting period may be modified for an applicant on a case by case basis in the Church’s discretion. A student in the Cincinnati area for purposes of attending college may be permitted to volunteer in the Children’s Ministry even though he/she has not attended WOCC for six months provided that WOCC is able to verify that the student is a member in good standing of a Christian church in their home city. WOCC reserves the right to handle student volunteer requests on a case-by-case basis.
⋅ Complete an Application
Volunteers interested in working with children must complete a Children & Youth Leader Volunteer Application (attached), which includes a consent for WOCC to conduct a background check, including criminal background. The consent to conduct a background check remains in force for the entirety of a volunteer’s service. A follow up background check will be performed at least once every five years, and additional background checks may be performed periodically, including at random in the discretion of WOCC.
⋅ Personal Interview
A personal interview may be conducted with all prospective volunteers either by a church staff member or departmental coordinator during which time background and reference information is obtained and prior church experience, including experience with children, will be discussed. WOCC may conduct follow up interviews as it deems appropriate.
⋅ Personal References
All potential new Children’s and Youth Ministry workers will be asked to provide WOCC with three references as part of the application process. One or all of these references may be contacted by WOCC prior to permitting a new volunteer to serve the Children’s and Youth Ministry. Information provided will be treated confidentially.
⋅ Minors
Volunteers who are minors must have parental permission to apply as a volunteer in the Children’s Ministry. WOCC reserves the right to address these applications on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the minor’s maturity and individual circumstances.
B. Supervision of Workers
Once children are in the supervision of Children’s and Youth Ministry they must remain with the Ministry until they are in the custody of their parents or legal guardians. The following procedures are in place to prevent situations where a child would be vulnerable to abuse. Any volunteer who observes a violation of these policies and procedures must immediately report that violation to the minister in charge of the area or event. If a volunteer is uncomfortable reporting a violation to the minister in charge, he or she may report it to any Church leader or staff member. Church leaders or staff members may also periodically review conduct in the Children’s and Youth Ministry to ensure these procedures are being followed.
⋅ Two-Adult Rule
All volunteers should observe the "two adult" rule in every classroom or activity involving supervision of children. Both “adults” need to be recognized Children’s Ministry volunteers or Church employees. One of the “adults” needs to be at least 18 years of age. In addition to protecting the children from potential abuse, in an emergency situation, this rule enables one adult to procure emergency assistance while the other adult cares for the children.
An exception to the age requirement includes childcare for meetings other than Sunday morning/Saturday evening study and worship. In these other childcare situations, the caregivers may be minors. However, there should be two caregivers at all times.
⋅ Open-Door Policy
For those classroom doors that do not have windows, the doors shall remain open during class time and at any time children are in the room. Regular random checks shall be made on all classes by a hall monitor or church leader.
⋅ Toilet Procedures
When using toilet facilities, 2 and 3 year olds should leave the door open. All other ages can close the door, if children are alone. If adult assistance is needed, this will be done with the door open and that adult must inform other adults in the room that they needed to provide assistance.
Elementary children must use the buddy system when walking to toilet facilities located away from the classroom or when running any errand.
⋅ Physical Contact with Children
Avoid all inappropriate touching with minors. All touching shall be based on the needs of the individual being touched, not on the needs of the volunteer or paid staff. In the event a minor initiates physical contact and/or inappropriate touching, it is appropriate to inform the minor that such touching is inappropriate.
Examples of permitted and prohibited behavior are included below. This list is not exhaustive but should be read as illustrative of the types of behavior that are appropriate and inappropriate. Please remember that any unwanted physical contact is inappropriate and prohibited by WOCC volunteers, and the characterization of unwanted physical contact is viewed from the child’s perspective.
Appropriate Physical Contact
· Side hugs
· Shoulder to shoulder or “temple” hugs
· Handshakes
· Pats on the head, shoulder or back when culturally appropriate
· Holding hands during prayer or when a child is upset
· Holding hands while walking with small children
· Kneeling or bending down for hugs with small children
Prohibited Physical Contact
· Any form of unwanted affection
· Inappropriate, forceful or lengthy embraces, and/or “bear hugs”
· Kisses
· Lap-sitting (except for infants or very small children)
· Touching buttocks, chest, knees, thighs or genital areas
· Placing hands in the pockets of a child
· Showing affection in isolated areas such as bedrooms, closets, adult-only or staff-only areas or other private rooms
· Laying down, cuddling or sleeping near a child
· Being in bed with a child
· Wrestling, Tickling, or Piggyback rides
· Massage given by an adult to a child
· Massage given by a child to an adult
Never engage in physical discipline of a minor. Volunteers and paid staff shall not abuse minors in any way, including but not limited to physical abuse, verbal/mental abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse of any kind.
If you recognize an inappropriate relationship developing between a minor and adult maintain clear professional boundaries: refer the minor to another individual with supervisory authority, and report the relationship to the minister in charge or another staff member.
C. Reporting Procedures
⋅ Inappropriate Behavior at WOCC
· Volunteers will immediately report any behaviors, which seem abusive or inappropriate to a WOCC staff member.
· Also, if any worker observes questionable behavior by another worker or any violation of theaforementioned policies or procedures, that behavior and/or violation is to be immediately reported to
· a WOCC staff member.
· Typically, a report should be made to the minster in charge of the event or area where aviolation was observed. However, if a worker is uncomfortable making a report to a particular person, for any reason, that worker may report the violation to any Church leader or staff member.
· WOCC staff and leadership will determine on a case-by-case basis whether additional reporting, including making a report with the proper Ohio civil authority, is warranted.
⋅ Potential Abuse outside of WOCC
Any worker, while in the capacity of ministry at WOCC, who knows or suspects that a child has in any way suffered or faced a threat of physical or mental injury or disability, must immediately report that knowledge or suspicion to a WOCC staff member. Typically, a report should be made to the minster in charge of the relevant event or area, i.e., a direct supervisor. However, if a worker is uncomfortable making a report to a particular person, for any reason, that worker may report the violation to a designated Church leader or staff member.
Church leadership will determine whether additional reporting is appropriate, including whether to make a verbal or written report in the presence of witnesses to the Department of Human Services, the Colerain Township Police department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s department, or other civil authority that has jurisdiction for the report.
SIGNS OF ABUSE
Neglect
- Inappropriate, ill-fitting clothing or clothing not suited for the weather
- Hunger or thirst
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Apparent lack of supervision or involvement in activities beyond age level
- Absence from school or lack of preparedness for school
- Desperation for attention
Physical Abuse
- Hitting, slapping, or punching others
- Confusing inflicting pain on others as play
- Persistent or unusual marks or bruises, burns, bite marks, welts (often in the shape of anobject)
- Resistance to going home
- Broken bones
- Fear of people
- Excessive compliance or “people-pleasing” personality (extreme abuse)
- Rebellious, defiant “who cares” persona
- Unusual knowledge about abuse
Emotional Abuse
- Apathy
- Depression
- Isolation
- Hostility
- Difficulty concentrating
- Eating disorders
- Extreme sensitivity to criticism/self-loathing
Sexual Abuse
- Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts or seductive behavior
- Fear of a particular person or family member
- Self-injury or suicidal behavior
- Withdrawal, secretive or depressed behavior
- Inappropriate self-touch or rejection of own genitals or body
- Genital itch or pain
- Changes in eating habits
- Over-compliance
- Excessive aggression
- Nightmares or bed wetting