Beyond Background Checks

JASON & HEIDI HENSLEY@FAMILYMAN209 & @HEIDIMHENSLEY

with

Building a Safety Team

• Safety team positions

• Calling on Law Enforcement / Fire / EMS. • Call on these members of your congregation to serve on Safety

committees. (i.e.. Luncheons, Church announcements, bulletins, booths in the lobby, etc)

• Your volunteers

• As you establish your volunteer list recruit security/safety personnel• this personnel needs to be background checked

• Just like you would make sure a SS classroom is staffed, have a contact list of Safety team. • Have LE / Fire personal available in emergency scenarios.

• If your church does not have these personnel reach out to your local departments - if not contact us

• Develop a volunteer application, including a background authorization form • Background check ALL regular volunteers (and have a wait period)

(update yearly if your software doesn’t)• Identify background checked & trained workers• Enforce the 2’s rule

• Train your volunteer staff• Regular training will make your policies effective• Medical training & safety training should all be current and rehearsed• “Common sense assumes there is no common sense”• Make the plans visible and easy & tools within reach

• Document, Document, Document (protecting your church, kids, & staff)• Any incident or Injury should be documented and signed by a parent• Medical release forms should be on hand when parents are not• Define incident or injury for your team

• STAY CALM! Your the leaders, people will react to your ability to lead especially during a major incident

• Natural Disaster - be prepared to assist medical personnel, HAVE A PLAN, talk to your Fire Department - Train your staff & review it often

• Medical Emergency - The key is communication. HAVE A PLAN. You don’t need 10 people calling 911. Send a trustworthy person street side to guide first responders to the right location. You only need 1 person per entry. KEEP IT SIMPLE

• Safety Incident (Active Shooter or Subject with a gun) • Prepare - HAVE A PLAN. (Start with air horns, etc) Educate your staff

on lock-down. • WE WANT THE ROOM LOCKED AND TO APPEAR EMPTY• A gunman will not spend 5 minutes attempting to breach a locked

empty room• Make your church or facility available for emergency agency trainings• How to respond to active shooter

Emergency Action Plan

• Mandated Reporting• If it’s questionable, call! • Know your state’s reporting laws• Develop a system for your staff

• Food Policies• Consider the use of an allergy form or bracelet• Train your teachers to respond to surprise snacks• Always have an allergen free option on hand

• Safety Software or Policies• Who arrived, who’s there, who left, and who can take them• Be willing to have an “alert” for custody issues• If you use a system, use it!• Workers should be trained to use the same routine for everyone.

• Follow your own rules and expect the same of your staff!

• How to write your policies• Know your state laws regarding caring for kids• Know your problems• Know your church’s culture• Don’t over complicate the policy & procedure• Make it well known

1. State the purpose2. Brainstorm the worst case scenario3. Form a plan to prevent the scenario that aligns with the law and honors

your church’s beliefs and culture4. Form a draft5. Rehearse it 6. Present to elders or administrator (if successful) 7. Return to step 3 until step 5 is successful8. Make sure they don’t conflict

Beyond Background Checks

heidimhensley.com