Notes for Beyond Background Checks Breakout

Beyond Background Checks
Heidi M. Hensley
heidimhensley@me.com heidimhensley.com
Developing 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 Volunteers
  • 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
    Develop an action plan
    

• 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
  Church Policies
  

• 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
    
  • State the purpose
    
  • Brainstorm the worst case scenario
    
  • Form a plan to prevent the scenario that aligns with the law and
    honors your church’s beliefs and culture
    
  • Form a draft
    
  • Rehearse it
    
  • Present to elders or administrator (if successful)
    
  • Return to step 3 until step 5 is successful
    
  • Make sure they don’t conflict
    Resources to remember: Kidcheck.com
    Protectmyministry.com
    Churchsecurityalliance.com (I thought this was churchsafety.net, disregard that)
    
    My forms (for example reference)