Child Protection and Sexual Harassment Policy
The following PDF forms and links are used in the implementation of the Child Protection and Sexual Harassment policy of Christ Reformed Church. Click on the header to view and/or download the file.
Suspected Child Abuse Report to Legal Authorities (BCIA 8572)
Christ Reformed Church shall comply with California’s Business and Profession Code (BPC) Section 18975 and California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, Penal Code (PEN) Section 11164-11174.3, found at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. As required by law, if there is a reasonable suspicion of child sexual abuse or neglect, a mandated reporter (one of the pastors or the clerk of council) must immediately report the incident by telephone to any police department or sheriff’s department, the county probation department, or the county welfare department followed by this written report within 36 hours by FAX or electronically.
Child Protection and Sexual Harassment Policy (Updated 5/21/2024)
Christ Reformed Church is committed to creating and maintaining programs, facilities and community in which members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship, learn and work together in an atmosphere free from misconduct towards minors and sexual harassment. It is the intention of this church to prevent behavior that is contrary to this policy and, if necessary, to discipline those persons who violate this policy. This policy prohibits all misconduct towards minors. (A minor is anyone under 18 years of age). Sexual harassment is sexual advances toward another person contrary to his or her wishes. It includes behavior directed at another person with the intent of intimidating, humiliating, and embarrassing the other person, or subjecting the person to public discrimination.
Acknowledgement to Comply with the Policy (E-07)
Church employees and volunteers working with children are required to sign this Acknowledgement to Comply with the Child Protection and Sexual Harassment Policy, indicating that they have received a copy of the policy, read it, understand it, and will comply with it. The form is submitted to the Staff Oversight Committee (staffoversight@christreformed.org) and kept by the Custodian of Records.
Child/Youth Worker Application (E-03)
All church employees (pastor, secretary, choir director, organist/pianist) as well as all regular and occasional volunteers (elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, and Gems and Cadets leaders and volunteers, nursery volunteers, and anyone who occasionally volunteers to work with youth) are required to complete this Child/Youth Worker Application and return this completed form to the Staff Oversight Committee (staffoversight@christreformed.org) before being employed or allowed to serve the church. The application is kept by the Custodian of Records.
Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA 8016)
All church employees and regular volunteers must be checked for a criminal background before being employed or allowed to serve as a volunteer. This form is used to request Live Scan service (fingerprint rolling) by an authorized Live Scan Operator. The Live Scan Operator submits the form to the California Department of Justice (state) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (national) for the criminal background check. A minister or the clerk of council reviews the results from the criminal background check. The Custodian of Records keeps a copy of this request as well as the results from the criminal background check.
California Business and Profession Code (Section 18975)
California Penal Code on CANRA (Sections 11164-11174.3)
Incident Witness Report (E-01)
Anyone may report a violation of this Child Protection and Sexual Harassment Policy using this Incident Witness Report. The report is given to a pastor or elder on the Consistory. A copy of this form is to be given to the Custodian of Records for safekeeping.
Incident Report (E-02)
The pastor or elder receiving the Incident Witness Report is responsible for confirming the facts reported and the condition of the child or other victim immediately uses this Incident Report to identify the perpetrator, the victim, and the witness to the incident. If there is any suspicion of child abuse or neglect, a mandated reporter (a pastor or clerk of council) must immediately inform the proper legal authorities and within 36 hours submit the “Suspected Child Abuse Report” BCIA 8572 electronically to any police department or sheriff's department, the county probation department, or the county welfare department. A copy of this form as well as BCIA 8572 is to be given to the Custodian of Records.
Parent of a Minor Consent and Hold Harmless (E-04)
At least one parent of a child shall be required to complete and sign this Parent/Guardian of a Minor Consent and Hold Harmless form on an annual basis for any church sponsored field trips or outings with minor children or when teenagers are allowed to serve in the Nursery. This form is maintained by the Custodian of Records and is valid for one year after the form was signed.
Authorization to Treat a Minor (E-05)
At least one parent of a child shall be required to complete and sign this Waiver and Consent of Parent and Authorization to Treat a Minor form. The parent or guardian shall give the completed form to the volunteer leading the church sponsored field trip or outing. The volunteer shall keep this form on their person throughout the outing in case of a medical emergency.
Medical Treatment Report (E-06)
In cases where a child required treatment by a medical professional while on the church premises or field trip, an adult volunteer who took the child for medical treatment completes this report and give it to the Custodian of Records.
Parental Release Authorization (E-08)
A parent uses this form when the parent wants someone else to pick up his/her child from the Nursery or GEMS and Cadets. The parent gives this form to the Nursery Supervisor or Worker and is valid only for the day the form was signed. These release authorizations are kept by the Custodian of Records.
Permission to Counsel a Minor (E-09)
A parent uses this form when the parent wishes to have a pastor (or adult mentor) counsel a minor. The parent emails the form to the Consistory (consistory@christreformed.org) for approval. The Custodian of Records keeps a copy of the form.
Minor Children Monitor Log (E-10)
The deacons use this form quarterly to monitor the classrooms of minor children each Sunday. The log is filed quarterly by the Custodian of Records.
