Child Protection Task Force

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The Child Protection Task Force determines policy and procedures to assure children are safe.

Below is the Covenant for Working with children and Youth for Holy Cross.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Covenant
For Working With Children and Youth

To provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth and the persons who work with them at HCLC, to provide a strong and healthy volunteer environment at HCLC, and to minimize the possibilities of child abuse occurring in connection with HCLC programs, when I am working with children or youth as part of a HCLC program, I agree:

To treat all children and youth with respect and consideration.
To treat all children and youth equally regardless of sex, race, religion, or culture.
To use positive techniques of guidance such as redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism.
To have age appropriate expectations and establish guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline.
To refrain from any behavior that could be considered abusive to children or youth, including:

Physical abuse -- striking, spanking, shaking, slapping
Verbal abuse -- humiliation, degradation, threats
Sexual abuse -- inappropriate touch or verbal exchange
Mental abuse -- shaming, withholding love, cruelty
Neglect -- withholding food, water, basic care

To remain at all times with any child of elementary age (5th Grade or younger) who has been left in my care.
To release a child of elementary age (5th Grade or younger) only to his or her parent, unless specifically instructed otherwise by the parent.
To remain in view of others at all times whenever I am working with a child or youth.
To check a public restroom to ensure that it is not occupied by suspicious or unknown individuals before allowing a child of elementary age (5th Grade or younger) to use a restroom.
To leave restroom doors open when assisting a younger child.
To conduct or supervise private activities, such as diapering, with another adult or where I will be visible to others.
To respect children's and youth's rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable and their right to say no to touching.
To maintain an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity to be a positive role model for children and youth.
To refrain from intimate displays of affection towards others in the presence of children and youth.
To not use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during the times I am working with children or youth. Anytime that I am scheduled to work with children or youth, if I am under the influence of alcohol, any illegal substance or prescription drug which impairs my ability to work safely with children or youth, I will call and inform the staff that I cannot work and no questions will be asked.
To not use profanity, tell inappropriate jokes or share intimate details of my personal life in the presence of children or youth.
To not date HCLC youth program participants.
To inform the Task Force Coordinator or Pastor assigned to youth if I believe there is any reason I should not be charged with the care of children or youth, including any physical or psychological condition.
To be aware of the health of children and youth, noting any fever, bumps, bruises, burns, etc., and to report any concerns I have about suspected abuse to the Task Force Coordinator or Pastor assigned to youth.
To attend training sessions offered by HCLC in the recognition of the signs of child abuse and HCLC's policies and procedures regarding the care of children and youth.
To comply with the HCLC Volunteer and Child Protection Policy.

I understand that abiding by these promises is important and necessary to my participation with children and youth as part of the HCLC programs.