General Purpose Statement

The Danville Baptist Church Board of Christian Education consists of three elected members, and the Pastor as an ex-officio member.  This policy was developed by the board and reviewed by representatives of all children/youth ministries within the church.  It will be reviewed and updated as necessary on an annual basis.

DBC seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children and youth who participate in our programs and activities.  By establishing and implementing clear and responsible guidelines our goal is to protect both the children/youth* and the staff/volunteers working with them. (*children to be defined as those fifth grade and under; youth to be defined as those 6^th grade through age eighteen)

Staff Guidelines

• Any person wishing to volunteer to work with children must have been involved with DBC for a minimum of six months.
• Volunteers seeking to be a leader/teacher must be a member of the Danville Baptist Church.
• New volunteers may be asked to complete an application form.
• New volunteers may be asked to supply background references.
• New volunteers may be scheduled to be interviewed with Christian Education personnel.
• All volunteers/staff must complete the state criminal background check that is then submitted by DBC.
• All background checks on all current staff will be updated at least every five years.
• Teen helpers or parent volunteers who assist in ministries for a brief time commitment (example Vacation Bible School) will be under the direct supervision of DBC staff, and are therefore NOT required to submit to above guidelines.

Accountability

The DBC BCE is responsible for overseeing all ministries relating to children/youth.  These include, but are not limited to: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible Clubs, Youth Group, Children’s Story, and Nursery care.  A hierarchy of leadership exists within each ministry.  These include, but are not limited to: Coordinator/Supervisor; Leader/Teacher; Assistant/Helper.  The Coordinator/Supervisor is responsible for overseeing staff/volunteers, and implementing necessary training.  


Procedures

General

• At least two staff should be present for each activity.  (This may mean one person in the classroom, and another readily accessible in the building.) 
• One staff should be a member of DBC.
• At least one staff should be 21 years or older.
• There should be ready access to a phone.
• Children/youth should be supervised while on church property and should stay within the physical boundaries established by the leader.
• Staff should have readily accessible parent contact information for each child.
• Children should only be released to the parties responsible for them.
• Staff should be aware of building exits.
• Classrooms should not be locked.
• Staff should report and if possible remove any broken or damaged equipment.
• Parents will be informed of this policy and made aware of times when staff are available for supervision of children.

Health and Safety 

• Staff should have access to general first aid supplies.
• Staff should report any accidents or injuries to coordinator and parents.
• In the event of a serious accident or injury, emergency personnel should be contacted (911).
• In order to provide a healthy environment, children who are ill should not be dropped off.  If a child becomes ill a staff member should attempt to isolate them from other children and contact parents.
• No medications should be administered by staff, except in the event of a life threatening emergency (example epi-pen for allergic reaction); or with the express written consent of a parent. (ie. During youth functions for over the counter pain relievers)
• Staff should be aware of food or other allergies and monitor snacks provided.
• Staff are responsible for keeping the physical areas in use clean and disinfected.
• Staff should escort young children to the restroom, but remain outside the door.  In the event the child requires assistance, worker should leave the door open to assist child.
• Universal precautions, such as use of disposable gloves should be observed.
• Nursery workers who must change diapers should clean and disinfect area and properly dispose of waste products.
• Nursery workers should refer to posted guidelines in the nursery, or check with the nursery committee for procedures.

Off Site Events

• Staff should obtain written parental permission for children to attend off-site events outside regular meeting times.
• Students under age 18 may only ride with approved, licensed and insured adult drivers, (those over 21) on church outings.
• The bus driver shall be preapproved by DBC, be covered by the church’s insurance policy, and all necessary legal licenses and qualifications.
• For all youth retreats there should be at least two male and two female leaders present.  DBC will adhere to additional guidelines set by host retreat center.
  

Conduct of Students & Staff 

• It is NOT the policy of DBC to administer corporal punishment in any form even if parents have given permission.  This includes spanking, hitting, grabbing, or other physical discipline.
• If a child is engaging in physically violent behavior in which he may be a threat to himself or others, staff should call for assistance.  The child should be isolated and physically restrained only to the extent that he cannot inflict harm.
• Staff should be aware of and discourage all incidents of bullying of children by other children.
• Any suspected wrongdoing committed by a staff member should be reported to the coordinator/supervisor.  This will then be referred to the BCE and the Pastor.
• Any staff member suspected of wrongdoing may be temporarily removed from the position of working with children until the situation is resolved.
• Any suspicion of home or environmental abuse should be reported to the supervisor/coordinator.  Further information may be gathered, and if warranted, reported to the proper legal authorities.

Child Abuse: Prevention & Recognition

The BCE shall develop a training program whereby appropriate staff shall be instructed in recognizing and dealing with abuse in the children we serve.  The BCE shall also insure that all staff conducts themselves at all times in a manner that is above reproach.

Definitions of Abuse (Taken from NH Statutes)

• Sexual abuse- any touching of children under age 18 by adult or other child significantly older than the victim even if child seems to consent to touching.
• Physical abuse- non accidental physical injuries or acts that create substantial risk of serious injury that are inflicted or allowed to be inflicted.
• Emotional abuse- a pattern of blaming, belittling, verbally attacking, or rejecting a child or demanding a child assume responsibilities he is incapable of handling.
• Child Neglect- failure, refusal, or inability of parent or guardian, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical care, or shelter, so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.

 
Signs of Abuse

• General- Children experiencing stress may exhibit behavioral signs.  When signs of stress are present, it can be assumed that the child is in need of help to resolve the problem.  Children who are in abusive situations are under stress and therefore will probably exhibit symptoms.  These may  include:  crying for no apparent reason, immature clinging, aggressive behavior, withdrawal, inability to concentrate, or depression.  The cause may be a number of factors, such as divorce, death, school problems, or peer/family relations.  In helping the child address the cause of stress, it is often helpful to make a statement to the child that ‘reflects’ what you see the child is going through as evidenced by his behavior.  For example, ‘Is something bothering you, you seem so sad today?’  Such a question provides an opportunity for the child to talk about his problems without depending on the adult to prejudge the cause of stress.
• Specific- No single indicator is proof that a child is being abused.  It is however, a reason to look more closely at the child’s behavior and to consider the possibility of abuse.
• Child Neglect and Emotional Abuse- It is extremely difficult for a lay person to detect emotional abuse or neglect with any degree of certainty.  The physical signs are subtle, such as lagging behind in physical development, or in habit disorders.  The neglected child may show up inappropriately dressed, lacking in personal hygiene, or being consistently hungry.  Behaviorally, the emotionally abused and neglected child may display signs of childhood stress.  There may however, be other explanations so leaders should exercise caution in forming conclusions.
• Physical Abuse- Active children will experience a normal amount of physical injury, generally minor in nature.  There are however, distinct differences between normal ‘wear and tear’ on children and bodily signs of physical abuse.  These indicators are unusual bruises, burns, breaks, lacerations, and abrasions.  A child who is physically abused is likely to display manifestations of general childhood stress even after the physical scars have healed.
• Sexual abuse- In some cases there may be physical signs of sexual abuse of a child.  Behavioral signs are likely to appear over a long time and are more noticeable.  Some examples of behavioral signs are: age inappropriate understanding of sex, reluctance to be left alone with a particular person, fear of touch, or promiscuous behavior.

 
Definitions of Abuse (As pertains to the Church)

• Sexual abuse- or molestation, involves any sexual act between a child and an adult or an older child and a younger child.  Sexual acts can involve touch, such as fondling or sexual penetration, or non touch, such as exposing a child to pornography or sexual acts.  Children are powerless and not in a position to responsibly consent to these sexual interactions.
• Physical abuse- involves physical aggression toward a child where the adult is not in control, is under stress, or has little control over impulses.  It can also be intentional infliction of harm on a child.  Often  it is the transference of adult anger into physical aggression against a child.  This could include not only hitting a child, but also grabbing, pulling or pushing.
• Emotional abuse- involves verbal or non-verbal violence toward a child that gives the child the message that he or she is ‘not good’.  Teasing, name calling or any other form of demeaning a child falls into this category.
• Child Neglect- is defined as omission of the child’s basic needs for his or her physical and emotional well being.  It is this area to which the church is most open to liability if proper supervision is not provided and safety rules are not set and enforced.