1. Child Protection Training Recertification

2. All new volunteers must fill out an application form and sign a consent form for a criminal records background check. All recertification volunteers need to update their contact information and sign a consent form for a criminal records background check.

3. Failure to disclose any information on the application regarding any criminal activity/arrests, etc., will delay the approval process.

4. The Child Protection Team
Any information regarding personal criminal history information will only be reviewed by a designee appointed by the Child Protection Team. Your confidentiality is vitally important to the Child Protection Team. Should the need arise to discuss any questionable offenses, the designee will provide only the required information to the team, which DOES NOT include your identity, unless absolutely necessary.~

5. Why is Child Protection Needed?
There are bad people out there
We would be negligent to ignore this
Obligation- EHBC has a duty to protect ALL children and be their voice against child predators and those that wish to bring harm to them.
Protection- EHBC and its people want to ensure that ALL children are provided with the safest environment where they can learn and worship without the fear of being harmed.
Liability-to protect the church, adults, and all children from allegations of misconduct, whether they are valid or not.~

6. Defining Abuse There are five forms of abuse: Physical Abuse Neglect
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Harassment~

7. More Definitions
Child Protection Team: A committee of EHBC members voted upon by the church to supervise matters related to child protection.
The current Child Protection Team includes:
Jennifer Coleman
Michael Deal
Greg Collins
Todd Mashburn
Pastor
Child Protection Designee: A person voted on by the congregation of EHBC to be in charge of all matters relating to child protection at EHBC.
The current Child Protection Designee is: Todd Mashburn~

8. More Definitions
Approved Volunteer: One who assists with the ministry of EHBC of their own volition and has been through a background check and child protection training.
Indirect Volunteer/Visitor: A person who does not regularly assist with children’s ministry and has not been through child protection training at EHBC.
**Any person assisting in EHBC sponsored activities more than 2 times per month must participate in Child Protection Training and fill out all necessary applications to become an Approved Volunteer.**~

9. What is required?
EHBC has a Zero-Tolerance Policy prohibiting any act of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse.
This policy requires all EHBC staff and volunteers to immediately report to the EHBC child protection designee of any occurrence or suspected occurrence which violates this policy.~

10. What is Required?
Any EHBC staff or volunteer who comes into direct contact with children (age 17 or under) will be given the definition of child abuse in writing, as well as the policy on reporting child abuse and child abuse training prior to working with children. Child abuse training should be repeated every three years. ~

11. What is Required?
All EHBC staff and volunteers should have an application on file that includes a legal release statement allowing EHBC to conduct criminal background checks.

12. Criminal Background Checks
A criminal background check will be completed on all EHBC staff and volunteers who come into direct contact with children and/or youth.

13. Disqualification from working with children and youth
Criminal homicide
Aggravated assault
Sexual abuse
Sexual assault (rape)
Aggravated sexual assault
Injury to a child
Incest
Indecency with a child
Inducing sexual conduct or sexual performance of a child
Possession or promotion of child pornography
The sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to a minor
Abandonment or endangerment of a child
Kidnapping or unlawful restraint- public lewdness or indecent exposure
Enticing a child~

14. Drugs & Controlled Substances
A drug conviction disqualifies a person from participating in any activities with minors for three years from the date of conviction.
If, after the three year period, the person has a clear criminal record and has successfully participated in at least one drug treatment or drug prevention program, the person may work as an Indirect Volunteer with minors within the church with proper supervision.
Must have CPT committee approval before working as a volunteer. ~

15. Drug Offenses & Other (Continued)
The 3-year period may be reduced after review of the individual case by the Child Protection Team, the Child Protection Designee, and at least one church pastor.
Other criminal offenses disclosed through a criminal background check or other means will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the Child Protection Team, but a conviction for any felony offense will be treated, at minimum, like a conviction for a drug offense.~

16. Two Adult Rule
EHBC practices the two adult rule which provides that a minimum of two workers should be present at all times when children are participating in an activity in a room without a door window.
When children are participating in an activity in a room with a door window, a single adult may be present, but should conduct any activity with children in an area of the room which can be observed from the hallway.~

17. Two Adult Rule-addition
When changing diapers or assisting a child with going to the bathroom, this should always be done in an “open” room or with the door to the bathroom open and a second adult present.~

18. Husbands and Wives
In the two adult rule husbands and wives only count as one adult when they work together.~

19. Unannounced Visits
EHBC staff and volunteer directors should supervise children and youth ministries on an ongoing basis and make unannounced visits into classes or other program sites from time to time.~

20. Sending Children to the Bathroom during services
Children should never be sent to the bathroom by themselves. They should always be accompanied by a parent or guardian.~

21. Teenagers
Teenagers under eighteen (18) years of age desiring to serve as volunteers who work directly with preschoolers or young children will be required to complete and submit an Indirect Volunteer Information form and participate in the child abuse training provided for EHBC staff and volunteers.
Under most circumstances, teenagers who have not attained the age of eighteen (18) years will not be the subject of a criminal background check. ~

22. Visitors
Visitors may come into contact with children, while in church facilities or at church activities, but any such direct contact should be under the supervision of or in the presence of a staff member, an approved volunteer, or the child’s parent.
Visitors, guests and parent observers will not be subject to background checks and will not be required to complete a volunteer application.~

23. More on Visitors
Visitors may periodically assist with children under the supervision of a staff member or approved volunteer.
If a specific visitor assists with children on a regular basis, to be defined as more than twice a month, then the visitor will be required to complete a volunteer application and will be subject to a criminal background check.~

24. Transporting Children in Cars
No adult should ever be alone in a vehicle with an unrelated child
Another unrelated child, adult, or related child should always be in the vehicle when you are transporting an unrelated child anywhere.
While this is NOT a policy of EHBC. It is recognized as being a good practice to protect personnel from allegations of misconduct.~

25. Transporting Children in Cars
Any time a preschool, children, preteen or youth ministry activity involves transporting participants in vehicles, the following will apply:
Any volunteer who drives their own vehicle to transport participants during an EHBC sponsored activity must have appropriate insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Children requiring one must travel in a car seat or booster seat.
All persons participating in an EHBC sponsored activity will wear seatbelts whenever they are in a vehicle.~

26. Reporting Child Abuse #1
Any suspicion or allegation of abuse, sexual harassment, and/or neglect of a child by a staff member, family member, or any individual, including another child, shall be confidentially reported immediately to the EHBC Child protection designee(s) and/or the director of the ministry during which the incident which is the basis for the allegation of abuse and/or neglect occurred.~

27. Reporting Child Abuse #2
The accused may be suspended from the performance of all duties involving children until the investigation has been completed.~

28. Reporting Child Abuse #3
The decisions regarding further assessment of any danger, seeking consultation, notification of parents/guardians, and any further necessary services will be based on the decision of the EHBC child protection designee(s) following consultation with legal counsel and, if necessary, notification of local law enforcement.~

29. Reporting Child Abuse #4
EHBC, through the Child Protection designee and other staff members, will cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and immediately inform EHBC’s liability insurance company of the allegations.~

30. Reporting Child Abuse #5
In cases where abuse, sexual harassment, or neglect is confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, including the probable immediate dismissal of the staff member or volunteer whose actions have been confirmed.~

31. Required Forms Consent/Permission Statement Criminal Background Check
Agreement Statement
Volunteer Application~

32. Many Thanks, and may the Lord give you strength as you work with our children and youth.
THE END!!!!