How To Start

Child Protection is one area that must be fully developed before the new church begins to hold any events that require childcare or that are geared to children.

Policies and procdures for implementing a child protection plan typically occur in two distinct areas: check-in and check-out processes and protection of children from molestation and abuse. Both will be addressed in this topic.

Steps to develop and implement a Child Protection policy

Take the issue seriously - it can happen anywhere!
Gather a team to develop the policy / procedures (likely to include the leader of the children's/youth programs and lay members.
Examine the materials in this Toolbox topic and decide what is appropriate for your church, keeping in mind the context and demographics of your members and community.
Produce a written draft of the policy then seek review and counsel as appropriate from your Barnabas team and legal advisors.�
Have the church governing body adopt the policy and implement it.
Train the staff, contractors, and volunteers before allowing contact with children and youth.
Review the policy and procedures after a year to improve the policy and reduce any risk areas.

State Regulations

The first step is to understand the rules and regulations of the state as well as the governing body of the church. In Texas, the body providing guidance in this area is the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TX DFPS). Their home page is here.

"Child abuse and neglect are both against the law in Texas, and so is failure to report it" according to the DFPS website. The website with information on reporting suspected child abuse in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico is here. Their phone number is 1-800-252-5400.

Presbytery Guidelines

In Houston, the Presbytery of the New Covenant has defined a Child Protection Policy that includes a Statement of Purpose and Procedure. This document can serve as a base for a church to write it's own Statement of Purpose or Policy. The Presbytery document also suggests Steps To Forming a Child Protection Policy and the Six Critical Areas That Must Be Addressed

Who should be in charge of Child Protection?

A member of the Steering Committee or Task Force should be charged with developing the specific policies and processes for the new church.

An elder or staff member should ultimately be accountable that policies are being followed and should hold others accountable. In the beginning, this will be the pastor. Responsibility may shift as the staff grows.

The person tasked with responsibility for developing the Child Protection policies and processes in the new church, whether staff person or lay leader, should connect with someone knowledgeable in child protection, i.e., a local lawyer, or should work to gain the knowlegde themselves.

How much information should be written down? Where should it be kept?

All confidential information collected about staff and volunteers (driver's license numbers, social security numbers, references, results of background checks, etc.) should be stored in a locked, safe cabinet.

The remainder of this section offers suggestions on steps to take, resources, templates and samples, and issues/questions that may occur around this topic.

Return to Child Protection page
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Last Modified 10/26/04 10:38 PM

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