Youth Ministry Policies

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The following policies and principles are meant to protect and safeguard the children, youth, and volunteers of Our Saviour’s, and to help us model safe, healthy, appropriate behaviors in our ministries.

Definitions

1. For the purpose of these policies, we define "children and youth" as those people 18 years of age or younger, including all high school students. "Parent" denotes a child’s legal custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

2. "Volunteers" are those people who actively serve ministries at OSEL. "Staff" refers to paid employees of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and any interns or field education students who have been assigned to serve at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church as part of their higher education training.

Inclusively

1. OSEL welcomes members, visitors and friends to all of our ministries. We want to include as many youth and children as possible, and we encourage you to invite friends to come with you. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend any activity with their child.

2. OSEL strives to not discriminate against any person based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic or family status, or physical or mental abilities.

3. OSEL offers financial aid for most of our activities. If you or someone you know is unable to afford the fee for one of our activities, please contact pastor or staff member to confidentially discuss a scholarship.

Supervision

1. Volunteers will work under a "Dual Supervision" policy whenever possible.

2. Single adult supervision situations may be permitted on a regular and recurring basis.

3. When youth or children ask to meet privately with staff members, staff will offer to meet with them in open areas or in offices with windows or open doors.

Parental Supervision

Parents assume individual responsibility for their children when on the premises of OSEL. Children and Youth are not permitted to be in the Youth Center or in the Main Kitchen without adult supervision.

Drugs and Alcohol

The use of any controlled substance (including alcohol and all tobacco products) and the misuse or any prescription or over-the-counter medication is prohibited at all youth events. This rule applies to youth and adult chaperones. (Exceptions: Communion wine and prescribed use of medications listed on parental permission slips.)

Transportation

1. Transporting youth from one place to another during a youth event is the responsibility of adults at least 21 years of age and out of high school. All driving laws (especially those regarding speed limits and use of safety belts) are to be observed at all times.

2. Youth transporting themselves or others to or from off-site events must have written permission from their parents and the parents of any of their passengers.

3. Parents are expected to notify adult leaders if their child(ren) will be leaving an event at a time other than the event’s designated ending time.

Movies and Media

We do not show "R rated movies unless the movie is judged to be relevant and appropriate by a member of the pastoral or program staff and publicized as part of an event. Music and video games with parental warnings describing violent or offensive content are inappropriate for use during church sponsored events.

Overnight Events

1. Chaperones will be in the same room as youth. There should never be 1 youth and 1 adult in the room together. Participants will always change their clothes in a bathroom with the door closed. An adult should have a bed to themselves. Never share a bed with a youth unless it is your own family member.

2. Sleeping accommodations may not always permit an adult chaperone in every room, cabin or tent. Adult supervision from outside the room or tent may be permitted provided parents of youth or children involved are notified in advance and have consented to such supervision.

Water Trips

1. Wearing life jackets is mandatory for all youth and adults participating in all boating activities.

2. Chaperones may insist youth wear life jackets while swimming when deemed necessary.

Firearms and Fireworks

Fireworks, firecrackers, guns and any other explosive devices shall not be brought, purchased or used on any activity.

Medical Concerns

1. Parents shall not send their children to events, the nursery, rehearsals or classes when the child is contagious or exhibiting contagious symptoms. If a child begins to exhibit symptoms of any contagious disease, parents will be promptly notified and asked to take their child home.

2. Children with open wounds or lesions will be required to keep wounds covered.

3. Our Saviour’s will maintain confidentiality in regard to any health or medical information that has been shared with us. With parental consent, we may inform those staff and volunteers who are directly involved with a child or youth who need to now this information to ensure the health and safety of the child, themselves, or the other youth involved in the activity.

4. First Aid kits are available on each floor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Locations of these kits are posted in the church office.

5. Only disposable diapers may be used in the nursery.

6. Only adults should change diapers in the nursery, and if possible, the adult should change them in the presence of another adult or a teen helper.

Discipline and Expectations

1. Children and youth are expected to be considerate and courteous to all adult leaders and peers. We treat other people, all physical property, and ourselves appropriately and respectfully.

2. Our Saviour’s tries to keep children and youth fully interested and involved in activities, and therefore discipline problems are unusual. Occasionally, however, negative behavior does occur, which we address with the following steps.

  • Staff and volunteers use verbal reminders to encourage appropriate behavior. At no time is physical punishment or abusive language permitted or condoned.
  • If verbal warnings are not heeded, staff or volunteers separate a child briefly from an activity and offer the child an opportunity to modify his/her behavior.
  • If behavioral problems continue, the leaders contact the child’s parents so the parent, leader, and child can together discuss the behavior and make appropriate plans for further interactions.
  • If a child or youth cannot participate in an event or activity appropriately, a parent is contacted and asked to transport the child home.

3. Parents (and youth in 7th grade and olders) are required to sign the Children and Youth Ministry Permission and Release form, which contains warning prohibiting the possession or intentional misuse of controlled substances (including but not limited to tobacco and alcohol, prescription and non-prescription medications).

Procedures for Reporting and Responding to Abuse

Should a parent, volunteer or staff person observe, suspect or receive a report of any behavior or activity that conflicts with the policies of this handbook, or that seems abusive or destructive to a child, youth or volunteer, the following procedures shall be followed:

  1. Step in and STOP the behavior or activity.
  2. Contact a member of the OSEL pastoral or program staff promptly for consultation.
  3. After the safety of the youth or child is secured, and in consultation with the member of the pastoral or program staff, a plan will be discussed to confront the individual with his/her behavior and take steps to remedy the situation. If deemed necessary, we will include legal counsel and/or law enforcement personnel in our plans.
  4. Should the behavior or activity involve a member of the pastoral or program staff, and the individual does not feel comfortable speaking with any member of the pastoral or program staff, he/she should instead contact the president or another member of the congregation council or the Synod Bishop.
  5. All reports, conversations, and steps taken regarding an allegation of abuse will be documented and handled forthrightly with due respect for confidentiality and privacy for victim and accused.
  6. If the behavior involves physical or criminal abuse, the following procedures will also take place:
  7. A pastoral or program staff will contact the following persons promptly.
    • 911 if necessary
    • The child’s parents (unless to do so would put the child in greater risk)
    • Midwest Children’s Resource Center of Children’s Hospital (651-220-6750)
      (provides legal advise and assistance in reporting or responding to abuse)
    • Our church administrator who will contact our insurance carrier and legal council (651-437-9052)
    • Our Synodical Bishop’s office (651) 224-4313
  8. Only the senior pastor or president of the congregation council will issue statements to the media regarding an accusation of abuse.

All clergy, youth and children’s ministry staff and volunteers should be aware of the symptoms of child sexual abuse and teen depression and suicide. (See accompanying document, ’References for Youth & Children Workers and Volunteers’)

VOLUNTEER PROCESS

The following pages include policies and procedures to help limit the risk or harm to our children, youth, and volunteers involved in ministries of this congregation.

Paid Staff

All clergy and rostered lay professionals are subject to the Saint Paul Area Synod Minnesota Statue Section 148A, Criminal background check prior to beginning ministry at OSEL. All non-rostered OSEL paid staff (as well as interns or field workers who are assigned to OSEL as part of their higher education training) will undergo a criminal background check prior to beginning work at OSEL. All paid staff members are subject to the Employee Handbook, revised and approved.

Volunteers assigned to leadership and/or supervisory responsibilities with children and youth, refers, for example, to church school teachers, confirmation small group and retreat leaders, nursery volunteers, choir directors, and others involved in ongoing, active ministry programs. Also included are those who volunteer in one-time events, such as overnight chaperones.

Six Month Involvement
Each person who offers to volunteer in a supervisory role with youth and children is asked to have been involved at OSEL for at least 6 months or to have been involved in another congregation.
Meetings with Staff Members
Each potential volunteer meets with a member of the pastoral or program staff to discuss the area of ministry in which he/she would like to serve. At this meeting, staff will provide a copy of the Youth and Children’s Ministry Handbook and will review related procedures.
Volunteer Forms
All ongoing, regular volunteers are required to read and sign the application form. Only one copy of each form is necessary for each volunteer, regardless of how many ministry programs he/she serves.
Background & Reference Checks
A member of the staff may call all listed references and check with police departments where the potential volunteer has lived. Results and information received through background and reference checks may be used to determine one’s eligibility to volunteer in ministries with youth and children.

Teen Volunteers

OSEL encourages young people to serve the congregation as a means of living out their faith. A teen who is assisting in an area of ministry needs to complete the registration and permission form, as well as the volunteer form. Teens are required to follow the policies and procedures described in this handbook along with all other volunteers.

Classroom Visitors

Parents or guests are encouraged to visit any ministry to OSEL, and to offer support or assistance to the leaders as would be helpful. A classroom visitor who has not completed the volunteer form, is not counted as one of the two leaders in our dual supervision policy, and will not be assigned leadership or supervisory roles of children.

Joint Ministries

When OSEL partners with other congregations for joint ministries housed at OSEL (for example, Summer Stretch), each volunteer who comes from any participating congregation will be asked to fill out the volunteer form. These forms confidentially ask whether the volunteer is willing to follow the policies of OSEL, and is willing to undergo a Child Protection Act background check under Minnesota Statues Chapter 229C. OSEL recommends that any volunteers serving in joint ministries will have been active in his/her sponsoring congregation for 6 months, and will have a background check.

References for Youth and Children Workers and Volunteers

Reducing the Risk of Abuse

Suggestions for Adults Who Work with Youth and Children

It is important for the protection of youth and children and those of us who work with them to keep the highest standards possible in regard to our relationships with each other. Children and youth rely on adults to protect them, and above all, to do no harm. These suggestions can help us maintain high standards.

  1. Never meet alone with a youth or child without his/her parent’s permission or without another adult present.
  2. If an impromptu meeting of an adult with an individual youth or child should occur, precautions should be taken to safeguard the individuals involved. Meet in an open area, and be sure that all doors are open (e.g. the fellowship hall or an open hallway would be more appropriate than a classroom.
  3. If it is necessary to ride or drive alone with a child or teen, special care should be taken:
    • Obtain permission from the child’s parent
    • Avoid physical contact
    • Avoid stopping the car to talk
    • If you must stop, turn on the inside light of the car
    • Be aware of and write down the time when you depart and arrive.
  4. Discretion must be used in dealing with all youth and children, especially regarding physical contact. Innocent behavior can be misinterpreted. In particular, stroking, massaging, kissing or other contact of a sexual nature is strictly prohibited. Any display of affection should be made in a public setting in front of others.
  5. Some children and youth may be uncontrollable with any kind of physical contact. Volunteers and staff should avoid any physical contact with youth and children that might be unwelcome. If a child or youth expresses any discomfort regarding physical contact, volunteers and staff should immediately discontinue such contact and not repeat it.
  6. Sexual gestures or overtures to a volunteer or staff person by a youth or child should be reported to a member of the pastoral or program staff, and, if appropriate, the child’s parent, so that discussion can be held with the student.
  7. Any verbal or nonverbal sexual behavior with any youth or child is inappropriate.
  8. Avoid any situation that puts you or the youth/child in a risky position. Think before acting. Ask a member of the pastoral or program staff or a fellow youth worker their opinion about any activity you are planning with a youth or child before you do it.
  9. Be aware of your own history. Those who have abused others are more likely to have been victims of abuse themselves, especially if they have not received help along the way. Individuals who have been abused as children are encouraged to discuss their stories with professional therapists or clinicians. OSEL’s pastoral staff or program staff can discuss this confidentially with you and refer you to appropriate places for care if you request.
  10. For more information on reducing the risk of abuse, or reporting suspected cases of it, contact a staff member of OSEL. You may also contact Children’s Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, 444 Lafayette Rd N, St. Paul, MN 55155-3839.

Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse

Be familiar with signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, but use caution when identifying them. Other trauma in a child’s life may cause similar symptoms. Not any one indicator would confirm sexual abuse, but identification of several should cause concern. Allow each indicator to raise a ’red flag’ in your mind.

Child sexual abuse is: Any sexual activity with a child, whether in the home, a day care situation, or any other setting.

The abuser may be an adult, an adolescent or another child, known or unknown to the victim.

Child sexual abuse can be violent or non violent. All child sexual abuse is an exploitation of a child’s vulnerability and powerlessness in which the abuser is fully responsible for the actions.

Child sexual abuse is CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR that involves children in sexual behaviors for which they are not personally, socially and developmentally ready.

Child sexual abuse includes behaviors that include touching and non-touching aspects:

  • Touching
  • Fondling
  • Oral, genital and anal penetration
  • Intercourse
  • Forcible rape

Young children may exhibit these signs:

  • Nightmares
  • Bed-wetting
  • Fecal soiling
  • Excessive masturbation
  • Clinging/whining
  • Regression to more infantile behavior
  • Explicit sexual knowledge, behavior or language unusual for the child’s age
  • Withdrawal
  • Frequent genital infections
  • Unexplained gagging
  • Agitation, hyperactivity, irritability, aggressiveness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Non-touching
  • Verbal comments
  • Pornographic videos/pictures
  • Obscene phone calls
  • Exhibitionism
  • Allowing children to witness sexual acts

Older children may react in these ways:

  • Depression
  • Withdrawal
  • Poor self-image
  • Chemical abuse
  • Running away or aversion toward going home
  • Recurrent physical complaints such as infections, cramping, or abdominal pains, muscle aches, dizziness, gagging and severe headaches.
  • Self-mutilations such as cutting, burning, tattooing
  • Suicide attempts
  • Truancy
  • Change in school performance
  • Overtly seductive behavior, promiscuity, prostitution
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia, obesity, sudden weight gain and sudden weight loss
  • Limited social life
  • Attention-getting or delinquent behavior

Symptoms of Teen Depression

What happens prior to the tragedy of a teenager who puts a gun to his head or a razor blade to her wrist? Usually, this child has been enveloped by feelings of despair a sense of being helpless or hopeless, a belief that no way exists other than death.

For some, this attitude develops gradually over an extended period of time. For others, especially those with an impulsive personality or those involved in alcohol and/or drug abuse, the decision can be made more rapidly.

By being alert to the warning signals exhibited by distressed adolescents, parents, teachers and friends can act quickly and knowledgeably to avert the suicidal action.

The warning signals are disguised cries for help made by confused and desperate teens. If someone is considering suicide, you may be able to identify several of the following behaviors:

  • Severe depression that seems to be continuing and that may have been caused by or related to a serious loss of some sort (loss of a parent or friend, breakup of a romance, academic or social failure, etc.)
  • Suddenly backing off from people and formerly enjoyable activities becoming increasingly isolated and unwilling to participate or talk things over
  • Disposal or dispersal of possessions
  • Sudden decline in school performance or effort
  • Written or verbal statements that suggest a wish to die, or to escape, or that suggestion a final departure ("I wish I were dead", "Who needs this world?", "Soon it’ll all be over", "I can’t take any more of this", "You won’t have to worry about me much longer."
  • Unusually hostility or aggression, increased physical fighting, and uncharacteristic defiance of those in authority.
  • Threatened or attempted suicide or past experience with attempted suicide
  • Acting in strange manners, behaving illogically and seeming out of touch with reality
  • Sudden happiness after a prolonged episode of depression and despair (Sometimes the reason the depression has lifted is that the person has decided to go ahead with the suicide attempt.)
  • Deterioration in personal appearance and grooming
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits
  • Abrupt mood swings or problems with concentration
  • Substance abuse (alcohol and/or drug)
  • Exhibits hopelessness or impulsiveness, or has an obsession with death, wishing death, or drawing up a will

Crisis Hotline Numbers

1-800-366-SAFECAC’s B. Robert Lewis House (Battered Women’s Shelters)

651-437-1291Hastings

651-405-1500CAC’s Sexual Assault Services- Dakota County

952-891-7171Crisis Response Unit (mental health crisis)

612-379-6363Crisis Connection (counseling and support)

612-379-6367Men’s Line (Counseling and support)

651-438-8110Dakota County Court (For protection orders)

651-774-4990Children’s Safety Center (Supervised visitation or exchange)

651-438-4800Dakota County Jail

952-891-7400Dakota County Social Services

651-554-5611Dakota Country Economic Assistance