Child Care and Protection Policy

Appendix A in this policy is the Child Worker/Volunteer Application. The online application for the Paid Childcare Worker position is on this site: start the application.

General Purpose Statement

First Baptist Church of Wisner (FBCW) seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children who participate in our programs and activities. By implementing the below practices, our goal is to protect the children of FBCW from accidents, incidents of misconduct, and inappropriate behavior while also protecting our staff and volunteers from false accusations.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the terms “child”, “children”, or “minor” include all persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. Unless otherwise noted, the term “worker” includes both paid (employees) and unpaid (volunteers) persons who work with children.

Selection of Workers

All persons who desire to work with the children participating in our programs and activities will be screened. This screening includes the following:

1. Six Month Rule: No person will be considered for any worker position involving contact with minors until he/she has been involved with FBCW for a minimum of six (6) months. This time allows for better evaluation and suitability of the applicant for working with children. This policy rule can be adjusted when the applicant has been well known within the community and by members of our congregation prior to attending FBCW.
2. Application: All persons seeking to work with children must complete and sign our Child Worker/Volunteer Application (see appendix A). The application form will be maintained in confidence on file with the church office.
3. Personal Interview: Upon completion of the application, a face-to-face interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position. The interview can be accomplished by one of the Pastors or by the appropriate Ministry Team Leader.
4. Reference Checks: Before an applicant is permitted to work with children, at least two of the applicants’ references will be checked. When possible, references should be of an institutional nature as opposed to only personal or family references, preferably from organizations where the applicant has worked with children in the past. Documentation of the reference checks will be maintained in confidence with the church office.
5. Criminal Background Check: A national criminal background check is required for all workers as defined above. Before a background check is run, prospective workers will be asked to sign the Child Worker/Volunteer Application (see appendix A) allowing FBCW to run the check (see appendix A). If an individual declines to sign the application, he/she will be unable to work with children. A disqualifying offense that will keep an individual from working with children will be determined by The Personnel Committee in concert with the Senior Pastor on a case-by-case basis in light of all the surrounding circumstances. Generally, any convictions for an offense involving children and/or for offenses involving violence, dishonesty, illegal substances (depending on the recency and recovery programs used), indecency, and any conduct contrary to our mission will preclude someone from being permitted to work with children. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction on the application form will also be a disqualifying event. The background check results will be maintained in confidence with the church office.

Training

FBCW requires all workers to read and agree to the policies contained in this document prior to serving and then again annually or anytime a revision is made. Signatures will be collected on a separate form and maintained with the Church Office. Additionally, all workers must complete initial and recurrent (as required by the church) Sexual Abuse Awareness Training through MinistrySafe. Status of training is kept within the MinistrySafe software and will be referenced by the Ministry Team Leader to ensure all assigned workers are in compliance. FBCW will provide initial and annual training in CPR and basic first aid at FBCW’s expense to all paid workers. Volunteer workers will be invited to, and encouraged to attend, that training at their own expense.

Two Adult Rule

It is our goal that a minimum of two unrelated adult workers will be in attendance at all times when children are being supervised during our programs and activities. Some youth classes may have only one adult teacher in attendance during the class session; in these instances, doors to the classroom should remain open and there should be no fewer than three students with the adult teacher. We do not allow minors to be alone with one adult on our premises or in any sponsored activity unless in a counseling situation. One-on-one counseling sessions will be scheduled in advance, receive permission from the Senior Pastor and child’s guardian, and be done at a time and location that provides reasonable oversight. One-on-one counseling of children by the Senior Pastor will be scheduled in advance, receive permission from the child’s guardian, and be done at a time and location that provides reasonable oversight.

Door Policy

Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Except during “active shooter” situations, doors should never be locked while persons are inside the room.

Playground/Family Life Center (FLC) Policy

The Two Adult Rule applies. This ensures that, in the event of an accident, one adult can go for help. Adults monitoring activities apart from regularly patrolled areas, should have access to their mobile phone in case a call for help is warranted. If children will be moved from their normal area/room to a room/area not regularly patrolled (i.e. the playground or FLC) during regular Sunday or Wednesday activities, a supervising adult must notify the Security Team.

Teenage Workers

We recognize that there may be times when it is necessary or desirable for babysitters (paid or volunteer) who are themselves under age 18 to assist in caring for children during programs or activities. The following guidelines apply to teenage workers:

• Must be at least age 14.
• Must be screened as specified above (except no background check is required).
• Must be under the supervision of an adult and must never be left alone with children.

Check-in/Check-out Procedure

The first time a child is left in our care, the parent should fill out the Childcare Registration Form. If the information usually provided by the Form can be passed onto the worker or the child/family is well known to the worker, the Form can be completed and returned at a later date. However, the Form must be on file before the child is left a second time. The Forms will be maintained in confidence with the church office.

For children below seventh grade, a security check-in/check-out procedure will be followed. The child will be signed in by someone designated on their Childcare Registration Form, who will receive a “child check” for the child similar to a claim check. The “child check” must be presented to sign out the child from our care. If a responsible person is unable to present the “child check,” the Ministry Team Leader (appropriate for the child’s age) and/or the nearest Security Team member will be contacted. Either of them or one of the Pastors will be responsible for releasing the child to the care of a parent or guardian after discussing the surrounding circumstances with the parent or guardian.

Sick Child Policy

It is our desire to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children at FBCW. Parents are encouraged to be considerate of other children when deciding whether to place a child under our care. In general, children with the following symptoms should NOT be dropped off:

• Fever, diarrhea, or vomiting within the last 24 hours;
• Green or yellow runny nose;
• Eye or skin infections; and/or
• Other symptoms of communicable or infectious disease.

Children who are observed by our workers to be ill will be separated from other children and the parent or guardian will be contacted to request that the child be picked up for the day.

Medications Policy

It is the policy of FBCW not to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home when necessary. Exceptions to the Medications Policy may be granted to parents of children with specific on-going medical conditions (such as Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, etc). Parents of such children should address their situation with the appropriate Ministry Team Leader or Associate Pastor to develop a plan of action. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure all regular workers are properly educated about the plan.

Discipline Policy

It is the policy of FBCW not to administer corporal punishment even if parents have suggested or given permission for it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline of children. Workers should consult with the appropriate Ministry Team Leader or Associate Pastor if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues. Misbehaving children should be returned to the parent before their conduct interferes with the proper care, learning, or safety of the other children.

Restroom Guidelines

Children five years of age and younger should use a classroom bathroom if one is available. If a classroom bathroom is not available, workers should escort a group of children to the hallway bathroom. They should always go in a group, never taking a child to the bathroom alone. The workers should check the bathroom first to make sure that it is empty, and then allow the children inside. The workers should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. If a child is taking longer than seems necessary, the worker should open the bathroom door and call the child's name. If a child requires assistance, the workers should prop open the bathroom door, and leave the stall door open as they assist the child. For children over the age of five, at least one adult male should take boys to the restroom and at least one adult female should take girls. The worker should check the bathroom first to make sure that the bathroom is empty, and then allow the children inside. The worker should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom.

For the protection of all, workers should never be alone with a child in a bathroom with the door closed and never be in a closed bathroom stall with a child. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children visit the bathroom prior to each class.

Digital Media Contact

Workers/Volunteers must never contact minors directly via digital media such as social media sites/apps, texts, or phone calls without prior, express, and written permission from the minor’s parent/guardian. Even with permission, such contact should be limited to event planning/information and as impersonal as the situation allows. It is the policy of FBCW to avoid posting any images/videos of children unless permission to do so was granted on the Childcare Registration Form.

Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse

For purposes of this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) that endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological, or emotional health and development. Child abuse occurs in different ways and includes the following:

• Physical abuse: any physical injury to a child that is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burns, and biting.
• Emotional abuse: emotional injury when the child is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling, and persistent teasing.
• Sexual abuse: any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between a child and another child at least four years older than the victim, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, and pornography.
• Neglect: depriving a child of his or her essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, or to report juvenile sex trafficking: Call 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437), toll-free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If the incident occurred apart from FBCW: If a worker becomes aware of suspected abuse or neglect of a child under his/her care, this should be reported immediately to civil authorities as may be mandated by state law or good judgement. Additionally, report all suspicions to multiple FBCW leaders for further action. Some examples of church leadership include the Chairman of the Deacon Council, any Pastor, Church Council Member, the appropriate Program Director/Ministry Team Lead, etc.

If the incident occurred as part of an FBCW sponsored program or activity: In the event that an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred at FBCW or during one of our sponsored programs or activities, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. All allegations of abuse should be reported to the civil authorities, and the organization will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of abuse as the law then exists. The organization will fully cooperate with the investigation of the incident by civil authorities.
2. The parent or guardian of the child will be notified.
3. The worker or church member alleged to be the perpetrator of the abuse or misconduct will immediately be placed on leave pending an investigation and instructed to remain away from the premises during the investigation. He or she should be instructed to have no contact with the victim or with witnesses.
4. The insurance company will be notified, and the organization will complete an incident report. Any documents received relating to the incident and/or allegations will immediately be forwarded to the insurance company.
5. The organization will designate a spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect. The advice of legal counsel will be sought before responding to media inquiries or releasing information about the situation to the congregation. All other representatives of the organization should refrain from speaking to the media.
6. A pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it. This should be for the purpose of providing pastoral support during the time of crisis and not for the purpose of investigating the incident or influencing the investigation.
7. Any person who is not found innocent of the alleged abuse or misconduct will be removed from their position working with children or youth.

Accidental Injuries to Children

In the event that a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:

1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, workers will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
2. For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the Ministry Team Leader. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
3. Once the child has received appropriate medical attention, an Incident Report will be completed for all injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid (see Appendix C).