Youth Ministry

What is a Child Protection Policy?
The Child Protection Policy of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater is a policy which seeks to provide guidelines for a safe and secure environment for children and youth at FPC. The policy details screening of employees/volunteers, supervision, training, reporting and response to allegations, and confidentiality.

How did it come to be?
The Family Ministry Council began work on the policy in the spring of 2006. The congregation was given opportunities (once in 2006 and once in 2007) to learn about the issue and express concerns/suggestions. The policy as it is now was approved by the Session in February 2007 in order to pilot the policy with the youth ministry program (6th-12th graders) here at FPC. An implementation team has spent the summer writing procedures for the policy. The policy will be piloted this fall with the youth and will be evaluated over the winter. The hope is to begin full implementation of the policy with both the youth and the children's ministry programs by Fall 2008.

Who is affected?
For the pilot of the policy (beginning in August 2007), those who work with the youth program (Sunday school and youth fellowships) will be affected.

What changes will we see?
Youth Sunday school teachers and youth sponsors who work on an on-going basis with youth (or are working overnight events with youth) will complete and sign a background check consent form. All volunteers in the youth program will complete a Volunteer Information Form. Those who drive youth on FPC sponsored events will be asked to complete an Auto Safety Certification form. Youth teachers and sponsors will complete a training on child protection issues in order to provide the safest possible environment for youth to learn and grow.