Covenant Statement
The members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lake, Iowa, believe that we are called by God to be the Body of Christ in our community, and that involved in this calling is the responsibility to create and maintain safe and supportive environments for all children and youth in our care. During each baptism of an infant, child, or adult into this community of faith, the members of our church promise to support and encourage that person by nurture and fellowship. Creating and being faithful to these guidelines for protection of the children and youth in our care is part of our promise of support and nurture. We, the members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, therefore commit ourselves and our actions to the safety, welfare, and protection of all children and youth participating in the activities and programs of this church.
Policies
All Lakeside Presbyterian Church (hereinafter “church”) activities and ministry programs involving children and youth, regardless of location, will be subject to the following policies. In addition, all activities and programs occurring on church grounds shall abide by Lakeside’s policy, unless an outside organization has its own protection policy that has been approved by the Lakeside Session.
These policies address the preventable risk of any form of abuse or harassment, whether physical, mental, or sexual, by any of the staff, teachers, or volunteers of this church while on church property or while engaged in church activities or programs. As used herein the term “child,” “children,” and “youth” refer to all persons under 18 years of age, as well as youth still in high school who are participating in church youth ministry programs.
Screened Leaders: A minimum of one trained and background-checked adult shall be present for all official group activities for children and youth.
Rule of Three: Situations in which one adult and one child/youth are alone should be avoided. There should be at least three people (one screened adult and two children/youth, or two screened adults and one child/youth) present at situations where children and youth are present. This applies to all programs of the church, including activities offsite, and transportation to and from church activities.
Exceptions to the Rule of Three: A regularly scheduled Sunday school class, or Nursery session on Sunday mornings may be conducted by one screened adult if necessary. However, there should be no expectation of privacy. For example: Sunday morning classes in the Education wing may occur with one screened leader if the doors are kept open and other classes are also meeting with opened doors in the same hallway. Keeping our large church building in mind, adults should be careful to stay in well-traveled, public areas. The door to the room should remain open, permitting those outside the room to see inside.
Open-Door Counseling: During counseling of children or youth by pastoral staff, doors may be closed if there is an unobstructed window view into the room. If there is no window, the door must remain open for the entire counseling session.
Windows in All Classroom Doors: All rooms used for children or youth should have a window in the door or contain a dutch/split door (the upper half of the door should stay open). All windows viewing into rooms used for children or youth must remain unobstructed at all times. No room decorations, blinds, or signs are permitted to cover windows. If a window is unavailable, the door shall remain open. In addition, bathroom doors should be partially open when adults are assisting with bathroom and diaper-changing duties.
Online Communication: At no time shall any adult working with children or youth pursue a dating, sexual, or romantic relationship with a child or youth. No adult working with children or youth shall communicate with a non-relative child or youth via text messaging, telephone, internet, or online social sites for the purpose of developing, proposing, suggesting, initiating, or otherwise pursuing a dating, sexual, romantic, or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a child or youth. Where possible, copies of any written or electronic communications between an adult working with children or youth shall be sent to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child or youth.
Leader Criteria
A leader is a person charged with the care and supervision of children and youth. Leaders include paid staff, volunteers, and clergy. In order to be eligible as a leader, persons must:
Be 18 years of age or older at the time of the event;
Be at least three years older than the youth and children with whom they work;
Submit a completed Background Check Consent form, and signed Covenant.
Interview with the staff person in charge of the event/program, if requested by the staff person;
Provide references if requested;
Volunteers in leadership roles for all activities must be a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, or an active and regular participant, for at least six months prior to working as a leader with youth and children. Other volunteers can be assistants as long as a trained/background checked leader is present.
All staff and volunteers are required to complete a boundary training, which includes the topic of sexual misconduct, and child sexual abuse prevention training for its
members at least every 36 months (Book of Order, G-3.0106).
While this process understandably intrudes into the privacy of our lives, the security of our children and youth outweighs the personal invasion inherent with such investigation and disclosures. All personal information voluntarily disclosed, the results of all security background and reference checks, or the refusal of any person to participate in a program or activity in lieu of such disclosure requirements, will be considered confidential. Refusal will make the individual ineligible to serve as a leader. Security background checks will be conducted by either a Pastor, the Administrative Assistant, or Personnel Commission chair and all information kept confidential. Whether disclosed voluntarily or by result of the security background check, no individual who has been charged with child abuse or neglect, or who has been convicted of any felony or serious misdemeanor, shall be permitted to become or continue as a leader. In addition, any person who uses illegal drugs or abuses alcohol shall not become or continue as a leader.
Background Checks
The following acts are prohibited by this Policy and will not be tolerated or accepted during any church activity or program. Any observations or personal knowledge of such violations must be immediately reported to a Pastor, staff person, or Personnel Commission chair after the safety of the child(ren) and/or youth involved has been assured.
Any display or demonstration of sexual activity, abuse, insinuation of abuse, or evidence of abusive conduct towards a child or youth;
Any communication with a child or youth via text messaging, telephone, internet, or online social sites for the purpose of developing, proposing, suggesting, initiating, or otherwise pursuing a dating, sexual, romantic, or otherwise inappropriate relationship;
Sexual advances or sexual activity of any kind between any adult and a child or youth;
Physically abusive behavior to a child or youth;
Physical neglect of a child or youth, including failure to provide adequate supervision in relation to the activities of the church;
Intentional actions causing mental or emotional injury to a child or youth;
Possession of obscene or pornographic materials at any function of the church;
Possession of, advocacy of the use of, or being under the influence of any illegal drugs;
Consumption of, or being under the influence of, alcohol while leading or participating in a children’s or youth function.
Prohibited Acts
In order to maintain a safe environment for all children and youth, the staff, teachers, parents, and volunteers of the church must be aware of their individual responsibility to report any questionable circumstance, observation, act, omission, or situation thought to be in violation of this Policy.
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, but is not limited to, 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.
All questions or concerns of any suspected abusive behavior or harassment should be reported immediately to your supervisor/church staff person, and to the Pastor, and to Child Protective Services. If you suspect a child under the age of 18 is abused or neglected, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-362-2178. More information is available on the Iowa Department of Human Services’ website . To report abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of a dependent adult, call
1-800-362-2178. Make an oral report of suspected abuse within 24 hours when if you reasonably believe a child or dependent adult has suffered abuse (in accordance with Iowa Code sections 232.69 and 235B.3). If the Pastor is the accused, a report should be made immediately to the Presbytery of Prospect Hill’s Stated Clerk or Pastor to the Presbyteries.
Anyone who witnesses an occurrence in violation of this Policy should take the following steps to insure the security of the child or youth involved, and to protect against physical, emotional, or psychological injury to all persons involved:
Personally secure the safety of the child(ren) and youth. Do not leave the child, children, or youth alone to report the incident.
Report the incident immediately, to your Immediate Supervisor/Church Staff person and to the Pastor, and to Child Protective Services (1-800-362-2178). It is highly recommended that you call CPS in the presence of at least one other witness.
Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting
24 Hours a Day 800-362-2178
If in imminent Danger, call 911
Do not personally confront the alleged or accused violator of the policy.
The Head of Staff will be solely responsible for communication with media, unless s/he is alleged to be involved.
In addition:
The parent or guardian of the child will be notified immediately by the Pastor/Head of Staff.
The worker alleged to be the perpetrator of the abuse or misconduct will immediately be placed on leave from working with children pending an investigation and instructed to remain away from the premises during the investigation.
As noted above, civil authorities will be notified, and the church will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of abuse. Lakeside Presbyterian Church and the church’s leadership will fully cooperate with the investigation of the incident by civil authorities.
Our insurance company will be notified, and we will complete an incident report. Any documents received relating to the incident and/or allegations will immediately be forwarded to the insurance company.
Our Pastor/Head of Staff or designee will be our spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect, unless s/he is alleged to be involved. We will seek the advice of legal counsel before responding to media inquiries or releasing information to the congregation. All other representatives of the church should refrain from speaking to the media.
A pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it.
Any person who is not found innocent of the alleged abuse or misconduct will be removed from their position working with children or youth.
Failure to report a Prohibited Act immediately to the designated person and to Child Protective Services shall be considered a procedural violation of this policy and shall be grounds for termination of employment of a staff member or employee, and suspension and dismissal of volunteers from participation in all children and youth activities and programs of the church.
Violation Reporting Policy
The Personnel Commission, Membership/Emergency Preparedness Commission, and the Pastor/Head of Staff shall jointly ensure that all groups subject to this policy are in compliance with its procedures; making an annual review of the policy; and bringing any needed changes to the policy to the Session for approval. This will take place prior to the beginning of the school program year each fall, and upon the hiring of a new staff person.