Safe Sanctuary

To all volunteers and paid staff members will work with children and youth: These leaders will be held to a higher standard when it comes to interactions with minors both during and outside of church sponsored activities. Leaders working with children and youth are responsible to follow the below rules without fail:

No adult leader will ask a minor for their contact information without receiving consent from the parent or guardian.
No adult leader will pass on contact information of a minor to anyone else of any age without consent from the parent or guardian.
No adult leader will contact a minor outside of the church without an explicit church sponsored reason to do so.
No adult leader will be secluded/alone with any number of children or youth.
Adult leaders must be disciplined in the language they use and the subject matters they discuss around children and youth. This includes speaking not just to them, but around/near them.

Adult leaders should pursue consent from a child’s parent or guardian prior to ministering or counseling them individually.

The following SAFE Sanctuaries© guidelines will be followed when working with children and youth.
Staff SELECTION Policies
All volunteer and paid staff who work with children and youth will:
Be at least 21 years old and at least 5 years older than the oldest child/youth they will be supervising

A partner of Tree of Life Open Bible for at least 6 months Complete and sign an application and the related waivers giving permission to check references and background information Provide the names and contact information of 3 personal references Undergo a criminal background check at no expense if they will have supervisory program responsibility for children/youth Individuals who have been convicted of physical or sexual abuse or neglect may not work in any church-sponsored activity or program for preschoolers, children, youth or vulnerable adults

 Staff SUPERVISION Guidelines

Whenever supervising activities involving children and youth: Two non-related adults will be present at all times

Children and youth will be checked into and out of a church sponsored activity by their parent/legal guardian or people authorized by parent/legal guardian
They will have access to a telephone or cell phone when groups are at or away from the church facility
One-on-one interactions with children and youth will be with an open door and visibility to all
Whenever Tree of Life sponsors an activity involving children or youth:
Anyone has the right to visit and observe the children’s/youth activity, classroom, or church sponsored program at any time, unannounced
All classroom and office doors will have a window or visibility from hallway or remain open while occupied

When windows are adorned, line of sight into a room is required.

Whenever Tree of Life transports children or youth away from the church campus:
 No youth should drive other youth to/from official events
 Adults should never transport children/youth by self

Adults should have current drivers license and insurance on file in order to drive

Approved and covered by church’s insurance company      Drivers should go through same screening process as all other paid/volunteer staff
Whenever Tree of Life hosts an activity involving children or youth from another church or community organization:

The groups using the church facility will follow all Tree of Life policies and procedures If a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect occurs at or is revealed to a volunteer/paid staff person at a Tree of Life sponsored activity, the adult in charge of the activity will: Ensure the safety of the child or youth Call the church pastor or designee

Call the County Office of Department of Social Services (DSS)