Safeguarding Children, Youth, Volunteers, Church Staff, and the Congregation It just make sense! Safeguarding Children, Youth, Volunteers, Church Staff, and the Congregation It just make sense!

Questions? Contact the Director of Youth & Family Ministry in the Southern Ohio Synod Office: Gary Pecuch 300 South Second Street Columbus, Ohio

Whenever noted that resources or forms are available on the synod website, the indicated materials can be found in the Youth & Family section of the site under either “resources”, “forms”, or “safeguarding”.

Okay…. So Where Do We Start?

Know The Law On March 22, 2001, Amended Ohio Senate Bill 187 became law (Ohio Revised Code sections , , ). The legislation’s purpose is to help ensure that youth- serving organizations that place volunteers in positions requiring “unsupervised access to children on a regular basis” use appropriate screening methods. On March 22, 2001, Amended Ohio Senate Bill 187 became law (Ohio Revised Code sections , , ). The legislation’s purpose is to help ensure that youth- serving organizations that place volunteers in positions requiring “unsupervised access to children on a regular basis” use appropriate screening methods.

Please Note…. Churches are required to adhere to Amended Ohio Senate Bill 187.

The First Four Steps 1. Obtain the Ohio Revised Codes. 2. Obtain the “Best Practices” Document. (Both 1 & 2 are available on the Synod Website in the Youth & Family Section under “Resources”) 3. Obtain from your congregational insurance company their safe guarding kit. 4. Then, You Need Legal Advice….. Turn everything over to an Attorney of your choice.

The reason that the Synod Office can not make specific recommendations in this area is that each insurance company has its own set of standards, guidelines, and recommendations pertaining to the screening process of church volunteers.

Based on what your attorney tells you…. Develop a screening process for volunteers who work with youth in your congregation. Develop a screening process for volunteers who work with youth in your congregation. Create a “working with youth” Best Practices Manual. Create a “working with youth” Best Practices Manual. Hold training events for your volunteer staff. Hold training events for your volunteer staff. Screening Process & Best Practices Manual Examples are available in the Youth and Family Ministry section of the Synod Website. Screening Process & Best Practices Manual Examples are available in the Youth and Family Ministry section of the Synod Website.

Other Things to Consider Visit the Youth & Family Website for… A list of good insurance company questions to have answers to A list of good insurance company questions to have answers to Example Volunteer Enlistment Process Letters Example Volunteer Enlistment Process Letters Example Volunteer Youth Staff Application Forms Example Volunteer Youth Staff Application Forms Example Background Check Forms Example Background Check Forms

Example Medical Forms Example Medical Forms Example Driver Application Forms Example Driver Application Forms Example Best Practices Manuals Example Best Practices Manuals Example Report Forms Example Report Forms Help in Thinking Through Trips, Travel, and Emergencies Help in Thinking Through Trips, Travel, and Emergencies

Know Very Specifically What Your Insurance Company Covers and/or Does Not Cover!

You should familiarize yourself with any Hazardous Activities list that your insurance company may have. You may not be able to sponsor certain activities and still be covered under your church insurance policy.

Examples of activities not covered by insurance may include… Ski Tubing Ski Tubing Whitewater Rafting Whitewater Rafting Hayrides Hayrides Haunted Houses Haunted Houses Tackle Football Tackle Football Trampolines Trampolines Rock Climbing and/or Rock Climbing and/or Monkey Bar Equipment Monkey Bar Equipment

Closing Statement You must be intentional and diligent in obtaining the answers that you need in order to create and maintain a legally safe environment for children and youth in your congregation. You must be intentional and diligent in obtaining the answers that you need in order to create and maintain a legally safe environment for children and youth in your congregation. Don’t go it alone, Don’t go it alone, involve others, and involve others, and ask for help. ask for help.