CPP Policy

Expectations for Classroom Settings

The classroom setting is to have clear boundaries that fence the kids and approved volunteers in and keep out those who should not have access to classroom, as well as provide safe egress out of the room in the event of emergency.

The entrance into the classroom setting is to be the area of check-in/out where all approved volunteers and children pass through after check in/out.

In the event of an emergency, all ground floor classrooms should have an egress via an exterior window that is large enough for adult and child to safely fit through.

A Safety-team walkie-talkie is to be placed both in the children’s church room and nursery in order for rapid 2-way communication.

The classroom setting is to have no isolated areas where an adult and a child can be without anyone else around.

It is preferable that there be a minimum of two adult volunteers in each classroom setting.

In the event that only one approved volunteer is available, doors to the classroom are to be kept ajar.

During each classroom period it is preferable that a ministry leader or member of the Safety Team perform regular “hall monitoring”

“Hall Monitoring” involves surveillance of common areas outside of classroom as well as regular visible check-ins through looks into windows of each used class room.

The classroom setting is to have unobstructed visibility into the room

Classrooms with doors are to have lines of sight directly into the classroom via a window that is large enough and low enough that it is accessible for the average adult.

In the event of a future building or remodel project, the design of the children’s ministry and nursery should generally follow the diagrams found in Chapter 10 of “On Guard” by Deepak Reju.

Guidelines for Handling Sexual Offenders who attend or join HCF

If an approved volunteer or staff member is accused of sexual abuse, the eldership will immediately require the removal of the list of approved volunteers for ministries involving children or teenagers.

Reporting of the alleged abuse is to follow guidelines established in “Reporting and Response Plan for Child Neglect and Abuse”

As such abuse is serious sin, if this accusation is proven true this will constitute the First Step of Church Discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15. This process is to be followed to its end if the individual remains uncooperative and unrepentant

In the event that the accused person responds with repentance, and cooperated with legal authorities they will be allowed to remain and serve in the church as a volunteer but not allowed to serve in any ministries involving children or teenagers.

Biblical counseling for this member would be strongly recommended by the elders of HCF as well.

In order to prefer and protect the offended party, the repenting individual may be asked by the elders of HCF to attend another church.

In the event that a staff member, ministry leader, deacon, or elder is accused and found to be sinning in this way, they will be removed and permanently barred from returning to their position even if repentance and reconciliation occurs.

In the event that the accusations are proven to be false without the shadow of doubt. That individual will be allowed to re-apply to serve in children’s ministry after a 12-month probationary period. Acceptance will be allowed upon reconciliation with the accuser(s) and alleged victim(s)/families and elder approval

If an individual who is a known criminal sex offender, or known child abuser, visits HCF the following procedures are to be followed.

They are to be closely monitored at all times by an elder, deacon, or member of the Safety Team while they are on the church premises.

They will be prohibited from accessing the children’s ministry areas.

Following their visit, their parole officer and the local prosector’s office are to be contacted by an elder to identify the terms of his or her probation.

Additionally an elder is to review court documentation and offense records of the individual.

If the individual continues to attend, the parents in the church should be informed via letter of the presence of a criminal sex offender or known child abuser from the eldership.

If such an individual demonstrates that he or she is a genuine believer through a testimony of their confession of faith in Christ, repentance from their sin, and the demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in their life, they will continue to be prohibited from accessing children’s ministry areas and prohibited from serving in any ministries involving children or teenagers.