ABC seeks child safety policies from congregations.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) is asking Church of the Brethren congregations that have implemented a Child Safety Policy and/or a Covenant for Childcare Volunteers to send a copy of these policies to its Family Life Ministry.

ABC is working to respond to the Child Abuse Prevention Query forwarded to it by delegates at this year's Annual Conference. One of the first steps the agency will take is to collect drafts of policies that congregations have already implemented. Several of these drafts will be posted at ABC's website as a resource for congregations that wish to implement their own Child Safety Policy and/or a Covenant for Childcare Volunteers, or other documents caring for concerns of the welfare of children, teens, and youth during congregational events.

If your congregation is utilizing policies, covenants, and statements related to safeguarding children during church functions, please share these documents with the larger church by sending electronic versions to abc@brethren.org. Word or PDF documents are preferred. Questions about ABC's response to the Child Abuse Prevention Query can be directed to Kim Ebersole, director of Family and Older Adult Ministries, at 800-323-8039 or kebersole_abc@brethren.org.

--Mary Dulabaum is director of communications for the Association of Brethren Caregivers.

Source: 10/24/2007 Newsline