Building Hope Weekend 2024

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina (CBFSC), as a Christian missions and ministries network, seeks to provide a sacred and secure environment for all children served by CBFSC. As people who nurture spiritual development, encourage congregations to thrive, and value innovative and collaborative ministry and missions, we seek to connect people to Christ and one another. We support CBFSC staff, missions and ministry partners, churches, and individuals as they bear witness to God’s love and intention for South Carolina. CBFSC staff and partners bless children in their missions and ministry work.

CBFSC is committed to the protection of children (defined as persons under age 18 or participating in a CBFSC sponsored child/teen event) from all forms of abuse and neglect. This includes the children of CBFSC staff, child participants in CBFSC events (such as the General Assembly), children served by CBFSC programs, and children accompanying parents/guardians on short-term mission trips. Through exemplary practices for child safety, CBFSC also aims to raise consciousness and encourage the establishment of like practices by its missions/ministry partners and congregations.

Health & Safety Guidelines

Individuals are encouraged to become certified and trained in First Aid and CPR.

Reporting of Abuse

CBFSC employees or volunteers will secure the immediate safety of any child suspected of having been harmed. CBFSC employees or volunteers will comply with law enforcement/child-protective services directives and investigations.

Any observed, disclosed, or suspected incident of child abuse or neglect is to be reported to local law enforcement, child protective services, or other child-serving agency as required by local law/governing jurisdiction. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the initial report, CBFSC employees and volunteers will submit a report to the Coordinator (or other designated CBFSC employee) that includes a statement of prior report, information regarding the abuse, and any actions taken regarding the child.

CBFSC will not tolerate retaliation against any person for reporting suspected abuse. If child abuse or neglect by a CBFSC employee or volunteer is established by local investigative agency or a CBFSC investigative designee, the Coordinator will make recommendations regarding corrective or disciplinary action, ranging from verbal or written warnings up to and including immediate termination.

Responding to Allegations of Abuse

When any child of CBFSC personnel or any child in the care of CBFSC personnel, programs or volunteers has allegedly been harmed, it is the responsibility of CBFSC to work as quickly and sensitively as possible to address the allegation in the interest of the one harmed (victim), the one reported (alleged offender or “respondent”), and the mission of CBFSC. CBFSC will take all reports of possible harm seriously and will try, if at all possible, to protect the identities of the child harmed and their families. If possible, the identity of the reporter will not be revealed. The alleged offender will immediately be removed from ministry with children or any situation where potential harm may occur, and can be reassigned or suspended during the inquiry period. Appropriate pastoral care will be provided to all parties.

Upon receiving a report of suspected abuse by a CBFSC employee or volunteer, and following confirmation of reporting to local law enforcement/child-protective services, the CBFSC Coordinator (or other designated CBFSC employee) will employ a qualified, independent agent to assess and/or investigate the allegation. The independent assessment/investigation will proceed only in cooperation with local law enforcement/child-protective services and will be used to determine appropriate supportive action for the victim(s), employment-related disciplinary action for the alleged offender in accordance to CBFSC personnel polices and procedures, and future child protection policy or training development.

CBFSC is committed to transparency and justice when responding to allegations and/or findings of abuse. In coordination with victims, law enforcement/child-protective services investigators, the independent investigating agent, legal representation, and/or insurance representatives, CBFSC’s Coordinator (or designee) will issue public statements when doing so offers protection for other possible victims, supports investigative/legal processes, contributes to support of victim(s), or supports future protective measures.

All adult applicants for short-term missions engagement, interns, and student programs, will complete a background check through Protect My Ministry (PMM) or a comparable service as part of their initial application.

All applicants for volunteer service, short-term missions, internships, or student programs with CBFSC will read the complete CBFSC Child Protection Policy and provide a signed statement of their understanding.

No person with a prior conviction, admitted history, or unresolved accusation of child abuse will serve in any function or capacity involving interaction or contact with children.

New volunteers and other staff will provide signed acknowledgement that they have read, understand, and agree to serve in compliance with CBFSC’s Child Safety Protection Policy.

Supervision of Program Leaders

For the protection of our children and youth, supervision of leaders will be intentional at all CBFSC sponsored programs serving children and youth (including General Assembly, retreats, etc.).

Harassment and Discrimination

1. CBFSC is committed to fostering an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, one in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Every member of our community has a right to equal treatment with respect to placement and with respect to the receipt of services and facilities. This should be without discrimination or harassment based on the following prohibited grounds: race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, age, gender identity, marital status, family status, or disability.
2. A right to freedom from discrimination and harassment also applies where someone is treated unequally because she/he is in a relationship, association, or dealing with a person or persons identified by one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination.
3. Every member of CBFSC’s community, especially screened leaders, are responsible for creating an environment which is free of discrimination and harassment. Those found to have engaged in such conduct will be subject to discipline.

Photography and Video Recording Policy
With a desire to capture on film memorable moments, photography and video recording will be closely monitored by organizational leadership. Leaders must abide by the following guidelines:
1. For all children and youth activities and programs, parental/guardian permission must be secured in writing prior to taking photographs/videos of children and young people. Parental permission will be secured on the registration forms.
2. No photographs will be posted on the organization’s or on CBFSC’s personnel’s personal website, Facebook, Instagram, or other online social networks without written parental/guardian permission and only on sites monitored closely by organizational leadership. Children or youth will not be named or tagged.
3. Photographs of children changing or in any state of undress, toileting, bathing, in swimwear, or wet should never be taken, posted, or shared.

Transportation

Recognizing that the transportation of children to/from activities and events is necessary to achieve mission program goals, CBFSC adopts the following guidelines to ensure safety:
1. Only adults licensed, authorized, and insured within the jurisdiction of travel and for the appropriate vehicle may drive children in CBFSC-related programs/activities.
2. The transportation of children during CBFSC-related programs/activities requires the supervision of two unrelated adults per vehicle who have fulfilled the application, screening, and training requirements to serve with children. Additionally, the leader-participant ratios (described above) must be maintained for the age-group being transported.
3. The number of children and adults being transported should never exceed the number of seats or safe occupancy limits of the vehicle. The use of safety belts is required in vehicles so equipped.
4. As much as practical, children should be seated with others their own age. Adults should sit so that supervision of children is maintained.

Lodging Guidelines

When children are included in overnight travel or events, the following guidelines will be observed by all CBFSC employees and volunteers:
1. Adults may not lodge alone with a minor unless they are the child’s parent/legal guardian.
2. In lodging with multiple beds (such as bunk houses), two unrelated adults may share the room with multiple children.
3. In lodging with separate bedrooms (such as a dorm or hotel), adults should not share rooms with children. Children should room with others near to their own age. At least one adult room should be present on each floor occupied by children.
4. In facilities with a shared bath, efforts should be made to ensure the privacy of children. Adults should never shower at the same time as children. Children of similar age should use the bath facilities together. Adults should monitor the interactions between children during bath and changing times.

Outside Program Contact/Communication

Outside of program contact and communication between children encountered in CBFSC-related mission programs or events with employees or volunteers should adhere to the fundamentals of the Child Safety Protection Policy. All interaction or direct communication should be observable by another adult and requires notification of parents/supervisor. CBFSC-related adults should not “friend” or “follow” children on social media and should never use “direct messages” to communicate with children.

Procedure for Reporting Violations of the Child Protection Policy or other Child Safety Concerns

Protecting children is the responsibility of adults. All CBFSC employees and volunteers agree, as a condition of their service, to follow CBFSC's Child Protection Policy, and to report violations of the policy. Additionally, employees and volunteers should report environments, situations, or incidences that raise safety concerns for children, whether or not explicitly provided for in this Policy.

When an individual observes an act or environment in violation of the Policy, or has any concern regarding child safety, they must:
1. act to bring the situation or individual in compliance with the policy, if possible;
2. note the date, time, and individuals (both adults and children) involved in the violation or concerning activity;
3. report, at the earliest convenience, the violation events or concerns to the site supervisor, leader, the next highest available leader in the CBFSC authority structure, and/or the CBFSC Child Safety Team. If the report is offered verbally it should be transcribed by the CBFSC leader as reported.

Upon receipt of a report of a Policy violation or other concern, CBFSC staff and leaders must:
1. seek to correct the policy violation and bring the environment or person into compliance, if possible;
2. report in writing to the CBFSC Child Safety Team the events of the policy violation and any remedial actions taken.

Upon receipt of a report of a Policy violation, the CBFSC Child Safety Team will:
1. seek assurance that the policy violation or concern has been corrected, if possible;
2. investigate the circumstances of the violation and correction and/or contract an independent, third-party to investigate serious or repeated violations or concerns;
3. recommend to the CBFSC Coordinator, or other leader, appropriate disciplinary or other remediating response to the violation or concern;
4. review, when necessary, the Child Protection Policy and trainings to reduce future violations or concerns;
5. record in volunteer and/or personnel records the individual(s) involved in the violation, and its resolution.

CBFSC personnel and volunteers serving in positions of leadership in programs serving children and youth under the sponsorship of partnering organizations will, to the extent their influence and responsibility allows, implement and model practices like those used for CBFSC sponsored events.