Safety and Risk Management Understanding Risk Management Why

Safety and Risk Management Understanding Risk Management

Why we need Risk Management in the Church? • Times have changed • Nothing will tear a church apart faster than an accusation of inappropriate behavior. • Christ admonished us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

What is Risk Management? 1. Risk Management includes all management efforts aimed at minimizing the adverse impact that losses may have on an organization. 2. The Goal is to put in place systematic and organized processes that avoid, eliminate, or lower the chances that a loss will occur. 3. Risk management will require that we identify processes that will accomplish eliminating or lowering your risks, then putting that process in place.

In Summary If your church is found negligent just one time it could result in 1. Financial Damages 2. Ministry death Charitable organization protection by the court systems is declining in our current sue happy world. Risk management is helping top make the church a safe environment so people can avoid unintentional losses.

Lesson 1: Implementing Risk Management • Look at each ministry position and area and identify any potential areas of liability. • What can we do to protect the people we serve as well as our self? Choose the means and implement your strategy. Be aware that in any risk management strategy, the volunteer recruitment and placement process is thoroughly investigated. Practically speaking, that means an interview and screening process will need to be in place, and your church will need to decide when to initiate police screenings of volunteers.

What are our options? “Remember that we can never be completely free from liability unless we close the church doors and go out of business. In today’s society anyone can sue anyone, at any time and for just about any reason. ” 1. 2. 3. 4. Eliminate the risk. Transfer the risk Reduce the risk Retain the risk

Eliminate the Risk • This is pretty Much closing the doors and ceasing to do business. • From time to time their may be ministries or programs that are too risky and may need to be adjusted.

Transfer the Risk § This essentially means buying insurance § The reality is that even with an insurance policy does not guarantee that the church or individual will be held harmless. § Insurance helps reduce liability, but if due diligence is not followed by the policy holder the policy can be essentially useless.

Reduce the Risk • Looking at ways to minimize our liabilities by having more comprehensive and up-to-date policies and procedures. • Some examples of policies that reduce risk ▫ A volunteer driver who takes children under 18 on an activity must have another adult along. ▫ Adults can never be alone with a minor ▫ All students must have signed medical release forms to go off sight ▫ Only drivers age 25 and over can serve as volunteer drivers.

Retain the Risk • This means the church decides to accept and retain the risk involved in the ministry program. • Even if the church decides to retain the risk we must still do whatever we can to reduce the risk.

Child, Youth and Worker Protection Policies Session 2 April 30, 2016

Creating a Safe place § FMFCOG guiding principle is to create a safe environment for all children, youth and adults who attend any activity or ministry. § Every year children are victimized by individuals they know and trust. NOT IMMUNE. § Incidents of Child abuse or neglect cut across every racial, social, economic, and religious boundary § FMFCOG has a ZERO tolerance for any child abuse or neglect. § THE CHURCH IS In order to create a safe and effective environment for ministry to take place your cooperation is appreciated.

§ Children do not grow and thrive without good touch of others. § Touch was important to Jesus as he healed people. § Our Christian traditions share love and encouragement of one another § Good touch is a way to express love § Placing an arm around another’s shoulder or squeezing a child’s hand is an appropriate touch. Appropriate touch

§ Child or student – any person under the age of 18 § Special needs person- any person requiring direct adult supervision as a result of mental or physical limitations § Adult – Any Person over the age of 18 § Child abuse and neglect – Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect of a child by an adult of adolescent caregiver responsible for the child’s welfare. Definitions

§ Physical Abuse – Maltreatment which results in physical injury, § Emotional Abuse – maltreatment which results in impaired § Sexual Abuse – Maltreatment which consists of sexual contact or § Neglect – Failure or inattention on the part of the caregiver to including but not limited to bruises, cuts, welts, fractures, and internal injuries. psychological growth and development, including, but not limited to , belittling, rejections, constant unequal treatment, verbal assaults, excessive demands on child’s performance, and isolation from normal social activities. interactions with a child, including, but not limited to, physical contact (fondling, genital, oral stimulation, sexual intercourse) and no physical contact (exhibitionism, child prostitution, pornography, and voyeurism). provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care and supervision. Types of Abuse

Screening for Volunteers § Volunteers must be regular attendees for at least 6 months before being left alone or in charge of any students § All volunteers must complete an application to volunteer § An interview will be conducted with ministry director or pastor § All persons must be willing to attend training based on their individual ministry

General Policies to Consider § Every effort will be made to have at minimal 2 adults at all times when ever minors are present § The windows in classroom doors should remain uncovered at all times § The Lead Pastor, Children’s Director or Youth Pastor shall approve any off campus activities. § The Children’s Director or Youth Pastor will approve all activities held on campus. § The ratio for Child to adult should never exceed 7: 1

Reporting Abuse § As a caregiver we are a mandated reporter § § This means if that we choose not to report abuse a caregiver can be held liable for any harm. If a staff member discovers abuse of neglect of a student § Make sure the student is in a safe, comfortable and secure area § If the child is not safe for instance at home call 9 -11 and have an officer respond before doing anything else § Notify the Director of ministry as soon as possible. § Staff has 24 hours to notify DCFS.

Reducing the Risk of Abuse And Sexual Harassment Staff Safety Training June 6, 2015

Harassment Policy Fort Meade First Church of God is committed to providing an environment free of sexual harassment, as well as harassment based on factors such as race, physical, or mental disability, marital status, age, and sex. We disapprove of any such harassment and will not tolerate it on the part of the staff, volunteers, children, or youth in ministry programs.

Harassment can be… u. Verbal u. Physical u. Visual

Prohibited unlawful harassment includes, but not limited to…. u Verbal Conduct such as derogatory jokes, or comments, u u slurs or unwanted sexual advances, invitation, or comments. Visual Conduct such as derogatory and or sexually oriented posters, photography, cartoons, drawings, or gestures. Physical conduct such as assault, unwanted touching, bra snapping. Threats or demands to submit to sexual requests Retaliation for having reported harassment.

Reporting Process Report the incident in writing immediately to staff member you feel most comfortable reporting. u If the accusation concerns the person report to another person as well. u Every report will be investigated thoroughly, promptly and in a confident manner. u u If at any time you feel harassed at church or church related function

Discipline u If the ministry team member is found to be in violation of harassment policy depending on severity disciple can include î Verbal Warning î Written Warning î A Meeting with pastor and a governance board member î Termination î Depending upon circumstance report to law enforcement officials.

Staff Expectations Appearance u Student relationships u Dating u Character Expectations u (Sheet Provided)

Reducing the Risk of Physical and Sexual Abuse u u u Selection and Screening Supervision u Physical Indicators Specific reporting process Reporting procedures for volunteer u Behavioral Indicators staff Defining Sexual Abuse Detecting Sexual Abuse

UNDERSTANDING THE INCIDENT REPORT WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO ALL THIS PAPER WORK? APRIL 30 , 2016

WHAT ARE INCIDENT REPORTS FOR? To notify parents of an injury or a behavior issue To notify Pastor and Ministry Directors that an incident occurred. To have a record of what happened should there ever be a question of negligence To help the insurance company facilitate decision about restitution should a claim ever be made Should an incident ever go to court and an accusation be made having an incident report is the necessary due diligence to protect the ministry and the church.

WHEN DO I NEED TO FILL OUT AN INCIDENT REPORT? If you have a student that gets injured while under the church care If the student has a behavior problem that keeps becoming an issue If the student becomes sick while in our care Any event that happens that you as a parent would want to be notified about by the church.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR FILING A REPORT First get as much information as you can. Note the time, witnesses and what events could have lead up to the incident Note also times that you have dealt with the behavior before and how it was handled Complete the form (We will walk through this later in the session) Make sure you have the witness fill out and sign the witness sheet. Once the form is complete you will need to get the ministry director to sign off (This is the director who is over the ministry the child is in. ) EVEN IF THE DIRECTOR IS NOT PRESENT Have the Lead Pastor sign off on the form (Please do not give forms to the parents without first notifying lead pastor) The report will then be typed up and 3 printed copies will be made The witness report original will need to have 3 copies made The witness report will be typed and 3 copies as well

PLEASE NOTE ANY SERIOUS INJURY THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION THE LEAD PASTOR SHOULD BE NOTIFIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ALSO ANY THREAT OF HARM TO SOMEONE ELSE OR THEMSELVES AS WELL AS ABUSE ALLIGATIONS LEAD PASTOR SHOULD BE NOTIFIED

LETS TAKE A LOOK AT THE FORM

D a t t e s r i F , t s a e L m d a l Chi iddle N M d An of Incid ent Child’s Addres s and P hone

n o i t p i Parents Notify r c s e D s t t r c And Attempts o a h F S c i s Ba

t n e d i nc I o t s ) e t s a s h t e t u p Witn f l e s r u o (If y Team Member who Report Incident Or yourself if child is In another ministry Ministry Director of student

White Copy – Lead Pastor Yellow Copy – Parent (Stamped Copy) Pink Copy – Ministry Director (Copy) (Stamped Original)

WITNESS STATEMENT Original to Lead Pastor 2 copies One for parent One for director

Financial Policies SESSION 5 JUNE 6, 2015

• All known budgeted expenses over $100 should be pre-approved by the lead pastor • Any non-budget expenses must be approved by the lead pastor Financial Policies overview • Reimbursements are issued on 15 th and 30 th of the month • All Reports are due on the • 5 th for the 15 th • 20 th for the 30 th • Anytime cash is requested upfront the lead pastor must be notified and approve • All reimbursement requests must be approved by lead pastor

The Check Request Form (F-02)

Session 6 April 30, 2016

Proverbs 23: 2 “ A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it” v Preparing to Prevent v Proper preplanning and training are essential to the preparation for and prevention of dangerous incidents v When do we contact law enforcement? v Any time there is a perceived threat v What to do if a person enters the building with a gun v DO NOT try and take the weapon UNLESS you are law enforcement v Attempt at all cost to avoid the individual v Allow your children to exit the church only if they can safely do so otherwise go into classroom and place paper over the window. Lock the doors to the classrooms. v Sit or lie on the floor away from windows and remain quiet v Do not leave secured classroom until staff or police approve v If you are able enter 2525 on the security control pad “It is a sad reality of our society that we, as the body of Christ, must consider the possibility that someone may enter a church for the purpose of committing acts of violence against God’s people. ”

§ What to do when a dangerous person enters the church who is not armed § Most of the time this will be an intoxicated or drugged individual. § Police should be notified when § Person is a threat to themselves or others § If the person is obviously intoxicated or drugged condition § If it is safe to do so notify the Lead Pastor or other staff member § Speak calmly to the individual § If the individual is agitated or disturbed take steps to de-escalate the situation § If it is safe to do so accompany the individual to a classroom or office to resolve the issue or wait on Law Enforcement.

Security panel emergency code

§ Current events happens around the county show a rise in this activities against churches. § Bomb threats are on the rise in general as the practice of “SWATTING” has become an issue in law enforcement § In 2015 our own High School was ”Swatted” twice § The churches that have experienced threats of violence have found themselves unprepared and has lead to panic and chaos.

§ Stay calm § Ask the caller questions: § When is it set to explode? § Where is it? § What does it look like? § Is it wrapped in a package? § Is it in a brief case? § Is it in a vehicle? § Why did you choose us? *Lot of questions, but each piece of information obtained can aid the local authorities in locating and disarming the bomb from the property. As well as help to locate the person making the threat. *

§ Notify the Greeter team head (Doug Ray) § Usher team will help those in attendance to exit the building without causing panic from the back forward. § Usher will also be station at the doors to assure timely and safe exit of the building and direct those in attendance across the street to a safe location. § Have teachers assemble their children, and exit the classroom using established fire drill procedures. § Have an usher to keep the roads and parking lot clear for fire and law enforcement to gain access § Please note due to mass confusion and in an effort to keep traffic flowing no one will be able to leave in their vehicle until law enforcement has released the scene. § No one should be allowed to re-enter the building for any reason until law enforcement has cleared the scene During a service

§ Quietly ask people to leave the building calmly due to a bomb threat § Call 911 and report the threat § When all persons have left the building wait in designated location for fire and law enforcement § Complete a bomb threat report sheet During Non-service times: DO NOT GO BOMB SEARCHING!

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND OTHER BODILY FLUIDS

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS Bloodborne Pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS These pathogens include, but are not limited to: hepatitis B; and/or C; HIV; AIDS.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS People exposed to bloodborne pathogens are at risk of serious or life-threatening illnesses.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES TO ENSURE OUR STAFF OF VOLUNTEERS CAN RECOGNIZE A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH BLOODBORNE AND OTHER BODY FLUID PATHOGENS.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES TO ENSURE OUR STAFF OF VOLUNTEERS KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE TO MINIZE HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH BLOODBORNE AND BODY FLUID OTHER PATHOGENS

TRAINING OBJECTIVES TO ENSURE OUR STAFF OF VOLUNTEERS KNOW WHO TO INVOLVE TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH POTENTIAL BLOODBORN AND OTHER BODY FLUID PATHOGENS.

OTHER BODILY FLUIDS THESE ARE AGENTS, SUCH AS MICROORGANISMS, FOUND IN VARIOUS BODY FLUIDS, FROM THE RUNNY NOSE MUCUS TO THE BATHROOM ACCIDENT EVENTS, AND THE SICK PERSON THAT VOMITS ANYWHERE.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. OUR CHURCH PROGRAM: ADVISE STAFF OF THE INCIDENT. DO NOT CONTACT THE BLOOD DIRECTLY!! USE PROTECTIVE PROTECTION TO CLEAN UP THE BLOOD. DISPOSE OF THE BLOOD AND YOUR PROTECTIVE GLOVES IN A DOUBLE BAGGED, SEALED CONTINER. NOT THE TRASH. WASH YOUR HANDS THROUGHLY WITH SOAP AND HOT WATER!!

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: 1. At a minimum, the wear of plastic gloves are a must when working with any type of blood. 2. You may require a mask or eye protection from blood spurts. 3. We know that your first thought is to render aid, but you must also protect yourself against any disease potential.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. CLEAN – UP: Only clean up wearing protective clothing. Dispose of the clean up material in a double bagged manner. Clean the contaminated area with strong cleanser. Dispose of the clean up material and your gloves in the double bagged disposal pack. Wash hands with soap and hot water. Wash thoroughly.

VEHICLE SAFETY Session 9 April 30, 2016

IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY Remember a 15 passenger van handles differently then a car Do a pre-trip inspection Follow all Rules of Road and Posted Signs Never over load any church vehicle Everyone must wear seat belt 2 adults must be present whenever minors are riding in the van Church van roll overs are the leading cause of injuring and accident in 15 -passenger vans 35. 4% of accidents involving 10 -15 passenger van involve a roll over

IN THE EVENT OF AN INCIDENT Any traffic violation while driving a church vehicle should be reported to lead pastor In the event of an accident Make sure everyone is OK Call 9 -11 Notify Lead pastor Immediately after 9 -11 Never admit fault Take any pictures if able to do so Make any notes needed for incident report