What it Means For Volunteers and Programs June 20, 2012 Community Relations and Development Conference The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 1

Today’s Session

Focus:

• What is a successful SFH program?

• How does effective SFH implementation impact volunteer management?

• What do I need to know if I oversee volunteers in programs serving children, youth and vulnerable adults?

. . . And any other questions you have!

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QUESTION What is Safe From Harm?

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What is Safe From Harm?

A comprehensive safety and abuse prevention program • Training: officers, employees, and volunteers • Employee/Volunteer hiring & supervision • Program/activity planning and implementation • Corps/program specific safety assessment • Facility layout and design • Procedures and practices • AND MORE!

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Safe From Harm

• Program Handbook • Model Guideline Manual • Program Safety Audit • Background Checking • Training Resources • Rapid Response Guidebook/Poster • Current Policies & Procedures The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 5

Objectives of Safe From Harm

• • • • • •

Educate

leaders and workers about prevention of abuse or accidental injury

Enable

leaders and workers to develop procedures and practices that reduce risks

Protect

adults from mistaken or groundless accusations

Reduce

liability for Salvation Army units

Build

family confidence in Army programs

Prepare

Army representatives to respond should an incident or accident occur The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 6

Why Safe From Harm?

• The Salvation Army is responsible for the participants in our programs • Abuse and negligent accidents do happen – and they can happen here • Child molesters and other predators target churches and youth-serving organizations • Corps and programs not in compliance with Safe From Harm are exposed to greater liability The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 7

Practically Speaking, in the Corps/Program:

• Common sense safety routines and practices • Careful planning of activities, both regularly occurring and one-time • Appropriately screened and trained employees and volunteers • Suitable environment(s) for activities • Knowledge of important policies and procedures The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 8

Local Unit Compliance

• • • • Name of the corps’ SFH Coordinator Copy of most recent Program Safety Audit Copy of updated Rapid Response Guidebook or poster Monitoring for Appropriate Screening and Training The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 9

A Comprehensive Approach

1. Protect vulnerable persons (children and adults) in our care 2. Protect our staff and volunteers 3. Protect The Salvation Army

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Preventing Maltreatment

Access Careful selection/screening procedures limit access Overcome own inhibitions Rules, procedures, education & training Overcome external barriers Strong supervision, wise operating guidelines Overcome resistance Children / vulnerable adults / families prepared to recognize, resist, and report abuse

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Volunteer Management and Safe From Harm • Screening • Training • Supervising

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Screening

Before you bring on a volunteer: • Conduct a thorough, confidential interview • Check at least two references • 18 years or older • Follow the 6 month guideline for volunteers working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 13

Required Forms

 Application 

Statement for Work with Children

 Disclosure and Release of Information Authorization (for criminal background check) 

Guidelines for Adults Working with Children/Youth/Vulnerable Adults (signed copy for file)

 Position Description (assigned in database) The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 14

Territorial Registry

• Designated DHQ personnel will check names against the Territorial Registry • Your Divisional Volunteer Coordinator should be aware of this process, and which individuals are designated to access the registry The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 15

Territorial Background Check

• Contracted with Sterling • Divisional HR Staff and Volunteer Coordinators conduct these checks • Criminal/court records are searched The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 16

Background Check - Overview A background investigation is required for the following positions: • Work with Children/Youth • Work with Vulnerable Adults (Elderly, Disabled) • Candidates for Ministry Leadership • ALL Local Officers • Finance/Fundraising/ Planned Giving • Information Technology (I.T.) • Anyone in an otherwise “low risk” position who, do to lack of supervision or some other circumstance, may have easy, unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 17

Look For Red Flags

• A strong interest in a certain age group or gender • Lack of adult relationships and/or interests • Instability in work and life • Gaps in a person’s life history • Stressful events in the applicant’s recent past • Evasive or misleading answers • Rigidity in belief or doctrines The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 18

Guidelines for Working with Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults

Includes Children, Youth, Vulnerable Adults, Elderly Persons The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 19

Training: Specific to Position

• In person training OR • Online Training (NEW!) • Both are appropriate • Most important: what type of training is needed for this type of position?

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Online Training

• Online training is accessible through the SFH Resources database on Lotus Notes • Volunteers who are not on Lotus Notes can access the online training directly through the Praesidium website – directions/info on SFH Resources database • Volunteer must know division name • Two required courses + more depending on position The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 21

Good Supervision includes:

• Two Adult Guideline • Observation • Periodic review of volunteers • Contact with program participants and family members • Awareness of life stressors in volunteers The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 22

Safe From Harm Resources Database • SFH Program Handbook • Model Guidelines • Program Safety Audit • Rapid Response Reference • SFH Orientation DVD • Current Policies • Many valuable resources for implementation and training The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 23

SFH Training Database

Access to Safe From Harm Training records available for download via Lotus Notes: File → Database → Open → Divisional Server → USC Safe From Harm Training The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 24

Divisional SFH Coordinators

• EMI – Charol McDonald • HRT –

Captain James Frye

• IND – Captain Nicholas Montgomery • KWM – Joyce Schau • MET –

Major Sandra Turner

• MID – Gary Busiek • NOR – La Rae Roder • WST- Linda Harrer • WMNI – Captain Rochelle McClintock • WUM – Marian Smith • ARCC –

Major Linda Mitchell RED = will change with officer moves SOON!

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Common Concerns

• “Unofficial” volunteers • “Church” volunteers and program/community volunteers • Inconsistent screening practices • Lack of position descriptions • Longtime volunteers • Local officers The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 26

YOUR QUESTIONS

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Negative Consequences SERIOUS

Spectrum of Risk

MOST STRINGENT Precautions STRONG Precautions MODEST Precautions MINOR LOW Likelihood an Incident Will Occur

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HIGH

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If Other Questions Come Up

1. Contact your Unit/Divisional Headquarters – – – – Child Safety Coordinator Safe From Harm Trainer(s) Divisional Youth Secretary Divisional Social Services Director 2. Contact Territorial Child/Adult Safety Coordinator E-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Phone: 847-795-3087 The Salvation Army USA Central Territory 29