The Salvation Army USA Central Territory1 What it Means For Volunteers and Programs June 20, 2012 Community Relations and Development Conference

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory2 Today’s Session Focus: What is a successful SFH program? How does effective SFH implementation impact volunteer management? What do I need to know if I oversee volunteers in programs serving children, youth and vulnerable adults?... And any other questions you have!

QUESTION What is Safe From Harm? The Salvation Army USA Central Territory3

4 What is Safe From Harm? A comprehensive safety and abuse prevention program Training: officers, employees, and volunteers Employee/Volunteer hiring & supervision Program/activity planning and implementation Corps/program specific safety assessment Facility layout and design Procedures and practices AND MORE!

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory5 Safe From Harm Program Handbook Model Guideline Manual Program Safety Audit Background Checking Training Resources Rapid Response Guidebook/Poster Current Policies & Procedures

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory6 Objectives of Safe From Harm Educate leaders and workers about prevention of abuse or accidental injury Enable leaders and workers to develop procedures and practices that reduce risks Protect adults from mistaken or groundless accusations Reduce liability for Salvation Army units Build family confidence in Army programs Prepare Army representatives to respond should an incident or accident occur

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory7 Why Safe From Harm? The Salvation Army is responsible for the participants in our programs Abuse and negligent accidents do happen – and they can happen here Child molesters and other predators target churches and youth-serving organizations Corps and programs not in compliance with Safe From Harm are exposed to greater liability

Practically Speaking, in the Corps/Program: Common sense safety routines and practices Careful planning of activities, both regularly occurring and one-time Appropriately screened and trained employees and volunteers Suitable environment(s) for activities Knowledge of important policies and procedures The Salvation Army USA Central Territory8

9 Local Unit Compliance Name of the corps’ SFH Coordinator Copy of most recent Program Safety Audit Copy of updated Rapid Response Guidebook or poster Monitoring for Appropriate Screening and Training

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory10 A Comprehensive Approach 1.Protect vulnerable persons (children and adults) in our care 2. Protect our staff and volunteers 3. Protect The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory11 Preventing Maltreatment Access Careful selection/screening procedures limit access Overcome own inhibitions Rules, procedures, education & training Overcome external Strong supervision, wise barriers operating guidelines Overcome Children / vulnerable adults / resistancefamilies prepared to recognize, resist, and report abuse

Volunteer Management and Safe From Harm Screening Training Supervising The Salvation Army USA Central Territory12

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory13 Screening Before you bring on a volunteer: Conduct a thorough, confidential interview Check at least two references 18 years or older Follow the 6 month guideline for volunteers working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory14 Required Forms Application Statement for Work with Children Disclosure and Release of Information Authorization (for criminal background check) Guidelines for Adults Working with Children/Youth/Vulnerable Adults (signed copy for file) Position Description (assigned in database)

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory15 Territorial Registry Designated DHQ personnel will check names against the Territorial Registry Your Divisional Volunteer Coordinator should be aware of this process, and which individuals are designated to access the registry

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory16 Territorial Background Check Contracted with Sterling Divisional HR Staff and Volunteer Coordinators conduct these checks Criminal/court records are searched

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory17 Background Check - Overview A background investigation is required for the following positions: Work with Children/Youth Work with Vulnerable Adults (Elderly, Disabled) Candidates for Ministry Leadership ALL Local Officers Finance/Fundraising/ Planned Giving Information Technology (I.T.) Anyone in an otherwise “low risk” position who, do to lack of supervision or some other circumstance, may have easy, unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults.

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory18 Look For Red Flags A strong interest in a certain age group or gender Lack of adult relationships and/or interests Instability in work and life Gaps in a person’s life history Stressful events in the applicant’s recent past Evasive or misleading answers Rigidity in belief or doctrines

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory19 Guidelines for Working with Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults Includes Children, Youth, Vulnerable Adults, Elderly Persons

Training: Specific to Position In person training OR Online Training (NEW!) Both are appropriate Most important: what type of training is needed for this type of position? The Salvation Army USA Central Territory20

Online Training Online training is accessible through the SFH Resources database on Lotus Notes Volunteers who are not on Lotus Notes can access the online training directly through the Praesidium website – directions/info on SFH Resources database Volunteer must know division name Two required courses + more depending on position The Salvation Army USA Central Territory21

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory22 Good Supervision includes: Two Adult Guideline Observation Periodic review of volunteers Contact with program participants and family members Awareness of life stressors in volunteers

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory23 Safe From Harm Resources Database SFH Program Handbook Model Guidelines Program Safety Audit Rapid Response Reference SFH Orientation DVD Current Policies Many valuable resources for implementation and training

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory24 SFH Training Database Access to Safe From Harm Training records available for download via Lotus Notes: File → Database → Open → Divisional Server → USC Safe From Harm Training

Divisional SFH Coordinators EMI – Charol McDonald HRT – Captain James Frye IND – Captain Nicholas Montgomery KWM – Joyce Schau MET – Major Sandra Turner MID – Gary Busiek NOR – La Rae Roder WST- Linda Harrer WMNI – Captain Rochelle McClintock WUM – Marian Smith ARCC – Major Linda Mitchell RED = will change with officer moves SOON! The Salvation Army USA Central Territory25

Common Concerns “Unofficial” volunteers “Church” volunteers and program/community volunteers Inconsistent screening practices Lack of position descriptions Longtime volunteers Local officers The Salvation Army USA Central Territory26

YOUR QUESTIONS The Salvation Army USA Central Territory27

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory28 Spectrum of Risk Negative Consequences SERIOUS MINOR LOWHIGH Likelihood an Incident Will Occur STRONG Precautions MODEST Precautions MOST STRINGENT Precautions

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory29 If Other Questions Come Up 1.Contact your Unit/Divisional Headquarters –Child Safety Coordinator –Safe From Harm Trainer(s) –Divisional Youth Secretary –Divisional Social Services Director 2.Contact Territorial Child/Adult Safety Coordinator Phone: