PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines for identifying and reporting any suspicion of child abuse involving children between birth and their eighteenth birthday who are involved in any activity sponsored by the (church's name and location).

GENERAL

All volunteer and paid leaders, teachers and child-care workers of the (church's name and location), who are involved with youngsters between birth and their eighteenth birthday will immediately report to that designated department's paid staff any reasonable suspicion of child abuse of which they have knowledge or observe within the scope of their duties. These leaders or teachers will, in turn, report the following (as well as any other indications that may suggest the occurrence of child abuse or neglect) to the senior staff member identified under the section titled Standard Operating Procedure:

1. Has an unexplained injury-a patch of hair missing, a burn, a limp or bruises
2. Has an inordinate number of "explained" injuries, such as bruises on his or her arms and legs over a period of time
3. Drawings in conjunction with verbal testimony
4. Prayer requests or written allusion
5. verbal testimony
6. Exhibits an injury that is not adequately explained
7. Complains about numerous beatings
8. Complains about others "doing things to me when others are not at home"
9. Is dirty and smells or has bad teeth, hair falling out or lice
10. Is inadequately dressed for inclement weather
11. Wears long-sleeved tops during the summer to cover bruises on the arms

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

1.  All lay workers or volunteers of the (church's name and location) who have knowledge of or observe within the scope of their duties any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect will immediately make a confidential report to one of the senior staff members listed below:

a. Director of Children's Ministries
b. Pastor/Director of __________________ Ministries
c. Pastor/Director of __________________ Ministries
d. Pastor/Director of __________________ Ministries
e. Pastor/Director of __________________ Ministries
f. Pastor/Director of Music and Worship

2.  The departmental paid staff will immediately, in conjunction with the initial reporter, gather the information and complete the ___________________________________________________(church's name) Suspicion of Child Abuse Form (see attachment A) on all reports of suspected child abuse that they receive.

3.  A determination must be made at this point as to whether a child abuse report must be filed with Child Protective Services or the police department having jurisdiction aver the area where the suspected abuse occurred.

EMERGENCY CHILD ABUSE REPORTING POLICY

The director of Children's Ministries or one of the above mentioned pastors will call the police department and file a child abuse report in the following circumstances:

1. A child requests immediate protection
2. A child requests that the police be contacted
3. A child expresses an overwhelming fear or anxiety about returning home with the person who brought him or her (may be in conjunction with other evidence of child abuse)
4. Physical signs that may indicate life-threatening abuse, such as signs of attempted strangulation

In the event that the director or pastor cannot be reached, a paid staff person for that department will be contacted before the end of the activity and before the child leaves with the police. The director or the pastor will be informed within twelve hours that a child abuse report has been filed.

STANDARD CHILD ABUSE REPORTING POLICY

Upon completing ____________________________________________________(church's name) Suspicion of Child Abuse Form, all departmental paid staff who receive such a report will immediately contact the director or pastor overseeing the department (or his designee) and provide him with the Suspicion of Child Abuse Form and any other pertinent information relating to the child.

If a child abuse report is filed with the Child Protective Services, every effort will be made to remain in contact with the family to provide follow-up support and assistance in any way possible.

All paid and volunteer staff of _______________________________________________________ (church's name and location) who work in any capacity, directly or indirectly, with children and families will receive training on the detection of suspected child abuse and the implementation of this policy. They will receive a copy of this policy and will sign a statement attesting to familiarity with said policy.

POLICY MAINTENANCE

The following people/board/commitee(s) have the responsibility for the initiation and update of this policy.

__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
The senior pastor's office has the responsibility for its publication and distribution; and with the approval of the following has the responsibility for its implementation.

APPROVED BY:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
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