CHILDRENS / YOUTH

POLICIES
REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR
CHILDRENS AND YOUTH

MINISTRY LEADERS AT

2000 NORTH STANDARD SPOKANE, WA 99207

Revised 12/7/15

(509) 487-2786 FAX (509) 482-7390

EMAILFOURTHMEM@FOURTHMEM.COM
WWW.FOURTHMEMORIAL.COM
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING

APPLICATION FOR CHILDRENS / YOUTH MINISTRY WORK

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Please carefully and prayerfully read each portion of this Childrens Youth Ministry
Policies document which includes the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy and the
Childrens / Youth Ministry Workers Responsibilities pages. They give an overview
of the screening process and describe the procedures we will follow to maintain a safe
environment for children in our church. If you would like to learn more about the
problem of child abuse in the church and the need for this type of screening process,
please talk to your ministry staff director or one of the pastoral staff.
Please complete the Childrens / Youth Ministry Application after reading this
document. The Application packet can be found at ????????? In addition, please
complete a background check online at
https://www.ministryopportunities.org/FourthMemorial. That report will be sent
directly to Fourth Memorial Church.

When these documents are completed and submitted and the background check report
is received, you will be contacted by the ministry staff director to schedule a personal
interview. We consider this interview helpful in determining a spot for you in our
ministry, considering your gifts, training, experience, and preferences. In addition, we
would like to get to know you on a more personal basis so we can best serve you in this
ministry.
During your interview, we will be going over some of the information you have
provided on your completed Application for Childrens / Youth Ministry Work form.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your ministry staff director.
Please note, the following guidelines have been implemented for your protection:

a. Minors should have a parent or guardian witness all completed forms. Parents or
guardians of children age 18 years and under may attend the interview meeting
with their child and/or complete the Security Information form for their child if
desired.

b. The Application form will be reviewed by the ministry staff director and afterwards
will be kept in a secured and confidential location.

Revised 12/7/15

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

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We live at a time when child sexual abuse is found to be much more common than most
thought. One of the worst effects of child abuse is a sense of being betrayed by God and the
Church. It becomes a major obstacle to personal faith as well as an embarrassment to the
Body as a whole. As a church, we wish to provide a safe and secure environment for all
children and youth who enter our facility and participate in any of our programs. It is with
this criterion that we present the following guidelines.
For your information, Washington State Law RCW 26.44.020 defines a child as any
person under the age of 18.

All Children and Youth Ministry workers (both paid and volunteer, including
pastors) must be screened.
This screening includes a formal application, reference checks, criminal history
background check, and an interview. Failure to do so places the church and its leaders
in serious legal jeopardy. No one with any known history of child physical or sexual
abuse will be allowed to work with children or youth. In addition, no one using antipsychotic medication other than anti-depressants will be allowed to work with children
or youth.

The Six Month Rule shall be an established policy.

All those who work with the children or youth must regularly attend Fourth Memorial
Church for at least six (6) months prior to assignment. This gives the church an
opportunity to evaluate applicants and volunteers and will help to repel persons seeking
immediate access to children. Any exceptions to this policy can be made at the
discretion of the ministry staff director.
The church reserves the right to make an educated judgment on those who apply for
a position of working with children.
This is done by means of all of the following:
1. Criminal background check
2. Confidential Security Information / Form Consent to Release Information Form
3. Completed Application form
4. References (3)
5. Personal Interview
6. Attendance at regular ministry and risk management training and meetings
Workers are required to abide by the Two Adult rule.
At all times and without exception, it is required to have two screened adults present
with children or youth during any church service or event.

Revised 12/7/15

Overnight Activities Rule.

Special attention must be given to overnight activities that involve youth. All adult
chaperones and supervisors should be cleared in advance with the proper church
leaders. Written permission from parent or guardian must be on the premises.

DO NOT allow children or youth Sunday School classes to dismiss early and run free.
This would give a potential perpetrator an opportunity for abuse.
The children in our infant through 2nd grades require parents to pick them up in their
classrooms. For 3rd through 6th grades, parents may sign a written release form so their
children may be dismissed to meet their parents.
The Nursery and Preschool departments should properly identify children and
release them only to their parents or guardian.
The Claim Check system will be used. Parents will be given an identification number
code that will correspond with the number of the childs name tag.

Revised 12/7/15

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

CHILDRENS / YOUTH MINISTRY WORKERS RESPONSIBILITIES

______________________________________________________________________________
According to Washington State Law, RCW 26.44.030, Fourth Memorial Church is mandated
by law to make a report to the authorities if we believe a child is being abused in any way.
Therefore, we ask all Childrens / Youth Ministry workers to report any suspicions of abuse
to the ministry staff director. It is the responsibility of that director to do the reporting to
the necessary authorities.
Reporting is an act of caring, NOT disloyalty. Discreet and confidential reporting of
suspected abuse is critical to the prevention program. Sexual abuse thrives when it goes
unnoticed and unreported. It is an obligation to file a report.
Please keep in mind

1. We consider it a very serious matter to have the church or an individual charged

with an accusation of abuse, and it can happen in our church. We must always
demonstrate a sincere concern for all parties involved.

2. All situations will be taken seriously and will be handled forthrightly with due
respect for peoples privacy and confidentially. There will be adequate care shown
for the well being of any victim and the victim will not be held responsible in any
way.
3. In the case of public allegations, a selected spokesperson shall respond to the
congregation and media. The spokesperson will present a pre-developed
statement of the position of the church, will not divulge details of the accusation in
a public interview and will make an effort to have the Church Attorney present
when speaking with public authorities or the media. The spokesperson will not
issue names of the accused or the victim publicly nor to the media.

Procedures for maintaining a safe environment

1. All Childrens / Youth Ministry workers should pray regularly for the children in
our church, thanking God for the privilege of ministering to them and asking Him to
protect them from any kind of harm. Workers should also pray that God would give
them wisdom and discernment so they will be sensitive to ways to help and protect
the children.
2. All Childrens / Youth Ministry workers must read and be familiar with this policy
statement, especially the sections describing signs of abuse and the responsibilities
of the workers to report any suspicious behavior to the ministry staff director. This
policy statement shall be made readily available to all Childrens / Youth Ministry
workers.

Revised 12/7/15

3. Childrens / Youth Ministry workers will always work together in teams of at least
two adults.
4. All forms of communication with children and/or youth, including facebook,
texting, email, etc., must also be sent to the parents or guardians for their
information.

Possible indicators of abuse

1. Physical abuse: Child reports injury by others; unexplained bruises, welts,

lacerations, burns, fracture, abdominal injuries, or human bites; child is unusually
wary of physical contact with adults, demonstrates extremes in behavior, or seems
frightened of parents or caretaker.

2. Sexual abuse: Child reports abuse by others; has difficulty walking or sitting; torn,
stained, or bloody underclothing; complaints of pain or itching in genital area;
bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal area; unusual interest in or
knowledge of sexual matters; or other unusual and excessive behaviors
inappropriate for a child of that age.

3. Neglect: Child reports neglect by others; child arrives unkempt, dirty face and
hands, dirty clothing, etc., on a regular basis; child complains about being hungry on
a regular basis.

4. Emotional abuse: Child appears withdrawn; unable to maintain eye contact;

verbalizes feelings of worthlessness, lack of intelligence, etc.

Revised 12/7/15