Children’s Protection Policy Stoneplace Ministries 309 County Road 4850 Newark, Texas 76071 817/489-3580 www.stoneplace.org Email: mastersforge@prodigy.net Statement of Policy Stoneplace Ministries is committed to Christian evangelism and discipleship. This commitment includes providing ministries relating to children and youth under the age of eighteen. In planning these ministries, concern has always been shown for the well being of children and youth. However, the reality of contemporary society now dictates that Stoneplace Ministries must take formal steps toward preventing child abuse in any form in any program or activity involving children and youth on our campus. With that goal in mind, this Children’s Protection Policy is presented. The policies and procedures in this document apply to all programs and activities involving children and youth under the age of eighteen. Children are our most precious resource. Anything which threatens them, including mental, emotional, physical, or sexual injury, is not tolerated by Stoneplace Ministries. Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect Texas Department of Family & ProtectiveServices Abuse is non-accidental mental, emotional, physical, or sexual injury to a child or failure to prevent such injury to a child. Neglect includes (1) failure to provide a child with food, clothing, shelter, and/or medical care; and/or (2) leaving a child in a situation where the child is at risk of harm. Worker/Sponsor Enlistment 1. It is the responsibility of Stoneplace Ministries to conduct a sexual offender background check on each sponsor/worker. This must be done anytime someone new is hired or volunteers. The background check should be updated each year or as deemed necessary. 2. Written permission must be obtained from the sponsor/volunteer prior to conducting the sexual offender background check. 3. Since background checks must be kept confidential, the sponsor/worker must provide Stoneplace Ministries a completed Sponsor/Worker Reference Form, signed by the pastor for each sponsor/worker. This form states that Stoneplace Ministries has on file for each sponsor/worker a Sponsor/Worker Application Form and a Sexual Offender Background Check. The Sponsor/Worker Reference Form also states that nothing was found to be in violation of this policy to keep this individual from serving. These forms are provided by Stoneplace Ministries. 4. No person can serve as a sponsor/worker, who has been convicted of, placed on regular or deferred adjudicated probation, received pre-trial diversion, pled guilty, or nolo contender to any offense involving sexual contact with or physical abuse of a child. Page Two of Child Protection Policy Sponsor/Worker Supervision 1. Corporal punishment of any kind is not appropriate at a Stoneplace Ministries event. 2. Physical affection should be appropriately expressed. 3. Workers should avoid contact with a child in any questionable setting. 4. A reasonable ratio of adult sponsors/workers will be maintained in all children and youth ministries. For Camp New Ark camps and retreats, the ratio of adult sponsors/workers will be determined by state regulations. Utilizing the “never alone” rule, activities are not permitted which place one worker alone with a child. At least one worker in a supervising situation with children/youth must be 21 years of age or older. 5. Staff Ministers or individuals authorized by Stoneplace Ministries may supervise ongoing programs and may make unannounced visits to program sites. Worker Training 1. Each sponsor attending Camp New Ark will be given a Stoneplace Ministries Policies & Procedures (dated 7/1/05) which includes the definition of child abuse as stated in the Texas Family Code and information regarding the reporting of suspected child abuse. 2. The Camper and Sponsor Registration Form requires that all sponsors/workers with children and youth ministries sign that they have received and read the information described above and agree to abide by the rules set forth in the Stoneplace Ministries Policies & Procedures (dated 7/1/05). 3. A Certificate of Completion of the state mandated CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING must be on file for each sponsor and/or volunteer. Incident Reporting 1. A sponsor/worker who suspects that child abuse has occurred must report the incident or suspicions in writing to the event director and to the Stoneplace Ministries representative. 2. Any inappropriate behavior with a child, even though it may not be considered abuse as defined in the Texas Family Code, must be reported to the event director and to the Stoneplace Ministries representative. 3. If there is cause to believe that child abuse has occurred, the event director or Stoneplace Ministries representative will immediately report the incident to Children’s Protective Services or to the local law enforcement officials and to the parents of minors involved. 4. The Stoneplace Ministries representative will investigate promptly. 5. If child abuse allegations occur, sponsors/workers must: *?Respond to each allegation in a serious manner. *?Treat each allegation with confidentiality and respect for the privacy of all persons involved. *?Cooperate fully with authorities. *?Extend genuine care to all victims of child abuse or suspected abuse. 6. All child abuse allegations will be communicated to the involved insurance carrier by the Stoneplace Ministries office administrator. 7. Stoneplace Ministries will be sensitive to the needs of all involved and shall provide any support necessary including counseling during the investigation and response. Page Three of Child Protection Policy Communication of Policy This Policy shall be publicized on the Stoneplace Ministries web page and through other appropriate forms of communication. Authority This Policy will be implemented and maintained under the supervision of the Administrative Council of Stoneplace Ministries. Amendments to this Policy may be made by the Administrative Council and approved by the Executive Board from time to time as necessary. Approval The Administrative Council and Executive Board of Stoneplace Ministries have approved this policy as of May 4, 2005. __________________________________ _______________ Camp Sponsor Participant Date Signed