1. The purpose of the Safe Haven Policy is:
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- to provide a safe environment for our children.
- to protect our teachers, workers, and the church from false accusations.
- To implement a policy that does both of the above while still allowing volunteer positions to be filled.
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2. Any volunteer who is in a teaching role must have professed Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior.
3. All volunteers must consent to, complete, and pass a background check before being permitted to serve.
4. All Volunteers must complete an application form and be approved by an Elder.
5. Adults who have committed or have been convicted of child abuse, whether physical or sexual, shall not volunteer service in any church sponsored activity or program for children or youth.
6. No volunteer shall ever be alone with a youth under the age of 18. Alone is defined as a non-public place that purposely avoids people.
7. Any Volunteer transporting a youth must have parental consent.
8. Volunteers shall immediately report an confirmation of child abuse to the Children’s Director or the Lead Pastor.
9. Junior workers (defined as any Volunteer under 18 years of age) must have parental consent, be approved by an Elder and the Youth Director or ReCAST Kids Director, and must always have an unrelated and approved adult Volunteer present when they are working.
10. Any two or more Volunteers helping children shall not be from the same family. If members of a family work together, there shall be at least one other approved adult volunteer working with them.
11. Only adults shall change diapers (unless written parental consent to do so is obtained for workers under age 18). When taking children to the restroom, another approved adult Volunteer must be notified and the door shall remain partially open.
12. When it becomes necessary to discipline a child, neither humiliation nor corporal punishment shall ever be used. Corporal punishment is defined as ‘the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force as a means of discipline’.
13. A Volunteer is allowed to use minimal physical restraint to protect themselves and/or other students.
14. All children, if transported under the care of ReCAST Church, must wear a seatbelt.
15. If a volunteer finds him or herself in a situation contrary to the policy or in any circumstance that could cause an allegation, he or she shall complete an incident report detailing the circumstances for a clear written record of the event or issue and turn it in to the Youth Director or ReCAST Kids Director.
