Youth Ministry

Ensuring a safe environment begins with our personnel. Every staff member and volunteer serving in family ministries is required to complete an application, participate in relevant childcare training, and pass a criminal background check. All screening is repeated every five years, and we require volunteers to be regular, vetted attenders of our church for at least three months before they can serve.

We utilize a secure parent authentication identification system for all children from birth through 5th grade. Upon check-in, both the parent/guardian and the child receive matching identification codes. We require this code for pickup to ensure that children are released only to their authorized guardians. In the event of a custody or legal situation, we follow strict protocols to ensure your child's security.

We employ several layered safety measures:

Two-Volunteer Rule: At least two qualified, unrelated volunteers are present in each classroom at all times.

Visibility: Our interior doors and windows are designed to allow for unobstructed views from the hallways.

Hall Monitors: Dedicated volunteers move through our facilities during service times to observe activity and assist in classrooms.

Safety Ratios: We maintain specific adult-to-child ratios that vary by age group to ensure every child receives adequate attention and supervision.

Our staff and volunteers are trained to create a loving, orderly, and respectful environment. Discipline is focused on redirection and encouragement, and we strictly prohibit any form of corporal punishment or demeaning verbal conduct. Regarding physical touch, our policy focuses on appropriate touch, such as high-fives, handshakes, or fist bumps, that nurtures the child. We prohibit any touch that is private, secretive, or serves adult needs rather than the child's needs.

To protect the health of all children, we ask that parents keep children home if they are exhibiting symptoms of illness, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other communicable diseases. Children must be free of symptoms for 24 hours before attending. We also practice universal hygiene precautions, including regular hand washing and the use of protective gloves during diapering or when handling bodily fluids.

Our classrooms are equipped with first aid kits, and our volunteers are trained in emergency response and evacuation procedures. In the event of an active threat, we have defined protocols for securing classrooms and contacting emergency services. We prioritize child safety above all else, and our security team is dedicated to maintaining a safe building environment.

We take the safety and protection of children with the utmost seriousness.

Reporting: We educate our staff and volunteers on recognizing signs of abuse and neglect. Any person who suspects or witnesses concerning behavior is required to immediately report it to a Family Ministries Director or Pastor.

Response: We have a designated Child Protection Team that handles all allegations with diligence, care, and full cooperation with civil authorities as required by law.

Confidentiality: All reports are handled with the appropriate level of confidentiality, respecting the privacy of families while ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to protect the child.

To maintain a focused and secure environment, volunteers and helpers are prohibited from using personal technology, including making calls or sending messages, while serving. Furthermore, to protect family privacy and ensure safety, volunteers are strictly forbidden from photographing children during our ministry programs.

Safety extends beyond our building. Only vetted, approved Bethany drivers are permitted to transport children for church-sponsored events. We strictly prohibit drivers from being alone with a single child; in the rare instance that transportation arrangements require a volunteer to be with one child, we obtain explicit parental consent and follow strict protocols to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

We understand that some children, particularly visitors or those experiencing separation anxiety, may need a parent nearby to feel comfortable. Parents are welcome to join their child in the classroom temporarily as they acclimate. We ask that you interact primarily with your own child to minimize disruption. If a child continues to require one-on-one parental support, we invite you to utilize our family space in the lobby.

Our ministry relies on student helpers, children and youth who serve alongside our adult volunteers. These helpers are categorized by age and training; for example, Auxiliary Helpers serve alongside their parents, while Qualified Helpers are older students who assist under the direct supervision of our adult staff. It is important to note that these helpers serve in addition to our required adult-to-child ratios and are never left alone with children.

The safety of our children is our paramount concern. Bethany Church reserves the right to restrict access to our services, programs, and property to protect our community. If we learn of an alleged or convicted sexual offender seeking to attend, our Child Protection Team and elder board evaluate the situation to implement strict safety measures. Depending on the circumstances, this may include prohibiting attendance, restricting access to family ministry spaces, or requiring mandatory supervision by designated church members.