legal issues

June 15, 2017

Keeping Your Kids Safe: How To Respond to an Allegation

On today’s episode we wrap up an important conversation with Kimberlee Norris and Gregory Love of MinistrySafe.com. Kimberlee and Gregory are subject matter experts providing legal counsel and training related to child sexual abuse. In addition to MinistrySafe.com, they also have developed seminary-level training modules through MinistrySafeInstitute.com.

Here are today’s episode highlights:

The biggest hurdle that the Church must overcome is that this type of issue does not happen here.
Sexual abuse does not skip any spiritual paradigm…it does happen in a Christian, evangelical context.
What if something happens in your ministry? What is your first step of response?
When in doubt, report any suspicion.
Do not let the sun set on any suspicion, as many states have time limits on when reports must be made.
Is there a safe away to include youth in children’s ministry?
What are some general things we need to be watching for to ensure the safety of our kids?
Who are gatekeepers and what role do they play in child abuse cases?

Leadership

March 18, 2011

5 Ways to Make Your Preschool Ministry Safer

By swiley

Every church was to provide a safe and secure environment for its children. Here are five ways you can create a safer environment. (I wanted to say these were "quick and easy" but some effort is required.)

1. Provide at least two adults in each classroom at all times. More eyes and more hands create a safer environment. (This also allows more teaching to happen throughout the room.)

2. Keep doors to preschool rooms closed at all times. A closed door makes sure kids stay inside the room and others do not wander in. (This also minimizes distractions and allows teachers to focus on the kids.) A small window should be in each door, too.

3. Use a sign-in/sign-out sheet (or other sign-in method) when parents bring and pick-up preschoolers. Teachers have a record to help keep track of who has come and gone; and tracking down parents if needed is also easier.

4. Use name labels for preschoolers and their personal belongings. Using name labels is especially important for younger preschoolers. Teachers know which bag or bottle belongs to which child.

5. Plan regular checks of toys, equipment, and rooms. Check for rough edges, broken pieces, protruding nails or screws, and sharp corners. Make sure toys with small parts have not "migrated" to younger preschool rooms. Repair or replace as needed.

PLUS. (I know I said five but you get a bonus one.)

Develop an identification system for releasing preschoolers to authorized adults. These types of systems can be simple or elaborate. The systems can be paper-based, electronic, or any combination. If your church is expecting visitors and new members, you need this type of system. (This article about evaluating safety has some tips for developing a security system. More information can be found in the book Kids Ministry 101.)

What are some ways you keep your preschoolers safe and secure at your church?

Leadership

January 21, 2011

Forms and Records

By swiley

Let’s talk about records. Not ones you set for shaking hands or stuffing straws in your mouth (although I’m sure some of your preteens would like to try setting some of those). And not those large round musical things I listened to before CDs. (Yes, I’m that old.) I’m talking about data and information and forms.

I’ve just returned from talking to leaders in South Carolina, and one of the conference topics we discussed was safety and security. Now, I must be honest – that’s not my favorite topic to lead. I enjoy talking about fun activities and helping kids discover Bible truths and so forth. Safety and security doesn’t ramp up my fun level much. But it’s so important. If kids aren’t safe and secure in our ministries, then our learning environments and teaching plans are useless. Forms and records are an important part of creating a safe and secure environment.

What kinds of basic forms are needed in a kids ministry?

Registration forms – You must have some way to get information about families who come to your church for the first time or who come to kids ministry events. You cannot communicate with families without knowing things like their names and contact info. A simple paper or electronic form is essential to capture names of parents and kids, address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, allergies, and so forth. You may also want to have an info sheet that all your kids (or parents) fill out with likes and dislikes, school info, favorites, and so forth. This information can help you know your kids and families better.

Leader application and screening – To have a safe environment, churches are screening adults who work with kids, running background checks and talking to previous churches or references. Forms to accomplish this vital task in your ministry are a must. Our Web site has sample forms and basic information about screening. Here are some sample forms for leaders: Volunteer Worker Application; Criminal Record Release

Care forms – You may also have some forms to help teachers care for children. Baby information cards (for meeting infants’ needs), accident forms (to record when minor injuries occur), and medical release forms and permission slips (when you take kids away from the church) are all basics that many kids ministries use.

Sign-in/Sign-out forms – Keeping track of the kids’ coming and going in your ministry is very important. Sign-in and sign-out forms give parents and teachers an easy way to do this. (And, yes, using computers and electronic systems can be considered "forms" in a different medium.)

While these types of forms and records may not be a flashy part of your kids ministry, they are essential. Keeping kids safe, keeping leaders safe, and keeping your church safe can be connected to keeping track of information and policies.

Some related links:

Safety and Legal Issues
Screening Procedures for Childhood Ministry
How to Protect Your Church
Evaluating Safety
The book Kids Ministry 101 also has great information about safety, security, and other administrative issues.

What kinds of forms and records do you regularly use in your kids ministry?

Keeping Your Kids Safe: How To Respond to an Allegation

5 Ways to Make Your Preschool Ministry Safer

Forms and Records

All Ministry Sites

Digital Resources

Lifeway Network