Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Approved 2/6/2005

I.  KUUF Policy on Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Reporting

KUUF, as a spiritual community, takes seriously its responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all who come to it.  We recognize that we often are in a unique position to learn of circumstances in the lives of children and youth where there may be a need for intervention and healing.

The guidelines we shall follow to provide a safe and nurturing environment are:

•    Maintain a minimum of two adults or approved childcare workers, who have been screened by the Washington State Patrol, with any child(ren) engaged in a fellowship activity.

•    Promote self-esteem and personal responsibility in all religious education programs.

•    Provide training and support for our staff, religious educators, youth leaders and childcare workers regarding this policy relating to child abuse prevention, intervention and reporting.

•    Present, on a regular basis, a sexuality education program for children and youth.

•    Develop and publish procedures for safeguarding children and youth engaged in a fellowship activity and for reporting known or suspected instances of abuse, molestation, neglect, assault, cruelty, or non-accidental injury.

•    Require that all persons teaching or leading activities involving our children or youth shall be trained on this policy and the attached procedures.

II. Code of Ethics for All Volunteers and Staff involved with Children and Youth Activities at KUUF

Adults and older youth in leadership roles play a key role in fostering the spiritual development of children and youth in our community.  Therefore, it is especially important that those in leadership positions be well qualified to provide the special nurturing care and support that will enable children and youth to develop in self and spirit.  The relationship between young people and their leaders must be one of mutual respect if the positive potential of their relationship is to be realized.  There are not more important areas of growth than those of self worth and healthy identity as a sexual being, and adults play a key role in assisting children and youth in these areas of growth.

Therefore, those who lead children and youth will:

•    Provide nurturing care and support to all children and youth.

•    Work to help children and youth develop a positive sense of self and spirit of independence.

•    Help children and youth develop a sense of responsibility.

•    Respect the selfhood of each child and youth, including the absolute right to privacy of his or her own mind and body.

•    Will not engage in any behavior with children or youth that constitutes verbal, emotional or physical abuse.

•    Will not engage in behavior or language that is personally threatening or demeaning.

•    Will not engage in any sexually harassing behavior, nor any other sexual, seductive or erotic behavior with children or youth.

•    Will not encourage or promote any sort of illegal activities on the part of children or youth.

III. Procedures for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

1. In the event that any responsible person (i.e. Teacher, Minister, RE Director, Board Member, or Activity Leader) receives information from a child or youth that would indicate the possibility of abusive activity, the responsible person has an obligation to report or to cause a report to be made to the appropriate authorities.  Reporting the data to the Minister, RE Director or Board President and witnessing that person make the report to authorities shall satisfy this requirement.

2. The responsible observer must:

•    Write notes on what is said with names, dates, times, quotes and observation.

•    Not ask leading questions.

•    Report his information to the DRE, Minister, or Board President.

•    Keep the information confidential.  Reporting to the above Fellowship Leaders and to law enforcement and/or CPS is not a violation of confidentiality.

•    If asked, will aid the DRE, the Minister or Board President in reporting the matter to law enforcement and/or CPS.

•    If asked, will cooperate in any law enforcement and/or CPS investigation.

3. If it appears the child or youth has been a victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or non-accidental injury, the Minister, DRE or Board President shall report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement authority and/or CPS.  The written or verbal report shall be made within 24 hours.

4. The Fellowship will offer appropriate ministerial support for the child or youth, which may include referrals to outside agencies.

5. Parental notification of an incident that may have occurred within the family will be handled at the direction of law enforcement or CPS.  Parental notification of an incident that may have occurred outside the family will be made by KUUF.  In either case, notification shall happen in the timeliest manner possible.

I have read the KUUF Policy on Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Reporting; the Code of Ethics for all Volunteers and Staff Involved With Children and Youth Activities at KUUF; and the associated Procedures for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.  I understand that these guidelines govern expected behavior of adults and childcare workers working with children and youth at the Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.  I agree to follow all requirements of the above-stated policy.

Name (Print): _________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________  Date: _________________