Mandated Reporting & Discipline Policy

Discipline Policy & Mandated Reporting

CR KIDS Leader Guidelines

“Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward from Him.” Psalm 127:3

Leader to Child Ratio:

A leader should never be alone with a child. Always make sure that there are at least two leaders in a room or with a child at all times. This helps to protect us from any accusations or questions that may be brought up. It is for your safety as well as the child’s. You should be with your small group during your assigned serving time and should not leave until all children are picked up by their parents or a 2nd hour leader takes your place.

Bathroom:
Because a leader should never be alone with a child they are not allowed to be in a bathroom alone with a child. If a child were to need help in a bathroom you must make sure that either the door is propped open or another adult is in the bathroom with you. Again this is to protect you as well as the child.

CR KIDS Expectations:

• Keep hands, feet & body parts to yourself at all times

• be quiet & respectful when an the adult or leader is talking

• only say nice & kind words that build each other up

• No running in the room, unless it part of a special activity

CR KIDS Discipline Procedures:

“Teach a child the way he should go, and when he is older he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Why do we discipline?

•It is an opportunity for growth, not just a negative experience for both parties involved.

•It shows the children that we care about them.

•It helps kids understand clear boundaries which is something they will need in every aspect of their life as they grow.

Do and Don’t of disciplining:

Do:

•Be unified as a team when disciplining a child.

•Deal with the children privately so that they are not embarrassed in front of others.

•Let the child accept responsibility for their actions.

•Pray with the child

Don’t:

•EVER put your hands on or yell at a child in anger.

•Take their behavior personally or guilt trip them to do what you want them to.

•Define a child by their behavior, they are not bad kids they simply make wrong decisions at times

•EVER verbally or physically threaten a child.

2 & 3 year olds

• Gentle reminders as they are just learning what boundaries are.

4 & 5 year olds

• Gentle Reminders, try the one to three method if needed.

  • If behavior still continues after the 3rd time you can have them do a little time out.

K & 1st grade

• 3 warnings

• then time out

2nd thru 5th grade

Steps of Actions to Take:

1.            Reminder:

Some of the kids we come in contact with may not be used to having rules set in place and they may easily forget. This step is not a consequence but simply a reminder of the rules that are set in place for the week.

2.            Warning:

After the child has been reminded three times, about the same behavior, we will sit down with them and use the following questions as a guide.

What did you do?

When you did that, what did you want?

How can you choose to the make the wise choice next time?

After you have talked it through with the child offer to pray with the child and ask God to help them with their behavior for the rest of the morning. 

3.            Action:

If the repeat behavior continues you will bring  the Children’s Director into the situation. They will talk with the child about why they are being disciplined and then may assign a chore for them to to do.  As well as parents will be informed of the behavior.

UNDERSTANDING MANDATED REPORTING

It is a huge honor and privilege to get to walk along alongside these children each week and watch them grow in their relationship with God!  With this honor also comes a huge responsibility to keep these children safe!

Who is a Mandated Reporter

·         Any adult who works directly with children whether they are a volunteer or paid staff is a mandated reporter and must report any suspected child abuse immediately after it happens to  the PA Child-line: 800-932-0313

o   Please put this phone number in your cell phone so you have it handy.

o   Your call will be kept confidential & your identity will be protected

·         Information to give when calling

o   As much as you can think of about the incident & the child

·         After calling

o   Inform me immediately after you have made the call to Child-line. It is important to know that you can’t contact Michelle Sensenig before you call.  By the law you can’t/shouldn’t even talk to me before you call.  Call immediately and then let me know.

o   Provide a written report for the incident within 48 hours to the Child-line

o   Teen leaders if you suspect abuse then tell your head leader immediately!

What is “Child Abuse” according to PA Law?

Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly doing any of the following

1.       Causing bodily injury to a child through any “recent” (within two years) act or failure to act.

2.       Fabricating, feigning or intentionally exaggerating or inducing a medical symptom or disease which results in a potentially harmful medical evaluation or treatment to the child through any recent act.

3.       Causing or substantially contributing to serious mental injury to a child through any act or failure to act or a series of such acts or failures to act.

4.       Causing sexual abuse or exploitation of a child through any act or failure to act.

5.       Creating a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to a child through any recent act or failure to act.

6.       Creating a likelihood of sexual abuse or exploitation of a child through any recent act or failure to act.

7.       Causing serious physical neglect of a child.