Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Hecktown, Pennsylvania

TRINITY SAFE YOUTH POLICY

Trinity Lutheran Church is a strong believer in our youth. Through a variety of constructive activities, education, and youth ministries, Trinity attempts to develop within the youth a deeper relationship with God and other people. Parents and guardians entrust their children to Trinity with the expectation they will be cared for and instructed in a professional and healthy manner.

The leadership of Trinity has adopted this Safe Youth Policy in order to promote a safe and caring environment for our youth. The policy is based on Pennsylvania law (23 Pa.C.S. 6344.2)1, which requires background checks of clergy and church employees. This includes any church employees who may come into contact with children including janitorial staff and office workers. The policy is extended to volunteers who work with our youth as described below.

The term “background check” shall mean the use of a national screening provider to verify an individual’s Social Security ID, and a search of multi-state criminal and terrorist databases (OFAC, BIS, DDTC) as well as the nationwide sex offender registry. The program is offered through Lutheran Congregational Services.

The term “documentation” shall mean written documentation or electronic confirmation from the appropriate agencies showing clearance for an individual.

INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CLEARANCES

1. All called ministry staff and hired personnel. This includes, but is not limited to pastors, associates in ministry, choir directors, cantors, nursery attendants, secretaries, and sextons.

2. All individuals in supervisory positions who are involved with children or youth ministries. This includes but is not limited to Sunday Church School superintendents, acolyte directors, youth group advisors, and Vacation Bible School directors.

3. All teachers and adult2 assistants for all children/young adult programs. This includes but is not limited to Sunday Church School and Vacation Bible School.

4. Other individuals, at the discretion of the Pastor and Church Council, who work with or are involved with the children and youth ministries of this congregation. This includes, but is not limited to, the director of a newly formed activity, and adult chaperones of children and youth activities.

OBTAINING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CLEARANCES

1. It is the responsibility of those individuals identified above to submit the required information to the Background Check Administrator so the information can be processed online via secure

1 http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/23/00.063.044.002..HTM 2 An adult is considered any mature individual of the age of 16 or above. Trinity Safe Youth Policy Page 2 background checking process. The Congregation will cover payment for the service. Forms may be obtained from the church office. 2. Background documentation is considered current and valid only if obtained as described in this policy or from background check documentation provided by the individual’s current employer. Persons continuing in positions identified above will be required to update the documentation every 5 years.

INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT LEAD OR ASSIST IN YOUTH MINISTRIES AND ACTIVITIES

1. An unsatisfactory background check shall preclude participation of any individual adult in youth ministries at the church.

2. Any infraction identified as unacceptable from the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance or from the national database for criminal behavior, sex abuse, and terrorism, shall preclude participation in any youth ministries.

3. Youth under 16 years of age unless working together under the supervision of an adult with an approved background check.

RECORDS MAINTENANCE

1. Background check or clearance documentation shall be held in strict confidence. Review of individual background check and clearance documentation shall be limited to the Pastor and the Background Check Administrator.

2. The Church Administrator shall maintain a listing of all staff and volunteers who have successfully passed the background checks and the date of the last check. This listing of approved names will be available to the Church Council, Christian Education, and Youth Committees.

3. The Background Check Administrator will monitor expiring clearances and will remind individuals when updates are required.

TrinitySafeYouthPolicy1.doc July 20, 2013