Children’s Ministry
Volunteer Handbook

Life INC provides free educational services to a wide variety of the Rapid City population.

Our mission is to involve the Church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ.

This is accomplished in our Children’s Ministry by showing Christ’s love through our words and actions to the parents and children involved in Life INC.




Staffing Guidelines
For the safety of all our children, and for the best atmosphere, the following staffing guidelines have been established:
1. The child/worker ratio should be:
a. Two adult workers per classroom at all times
b. When possible, a student helper will also be assigned.

2. When the ratios cannot be met, let the Love INC Staff Person know.
*Avoid being alone with a child if all possible. If you must, make sure to keep the door open. Notify a teacher or other adult in a nearby classroom. Our goal is to always have two adults with children at all times. Make your best effort to have open doors and/or windows for people to see into the childcare area.
Emergency Procedures
Emergency exit: Be sure you know the nearest exit for whatever room you are using. Make sure all children and volunteers in your group are accounted for in the event of an evacuation.
There should be a nearest exit map posted near the door in each room.
First Aid Kit: Make sure you know the location of the First Aid Kit at your particular campus. Please notify the Love INC Staff if you use first aid supplies.

Contact Information

Love INC of the Black Hills
PO Box 3255
Rapid City, SD 57709
www.loveinconline.com
P: 605-718-5683



Life INC Children’s Ministry Coordinator
April Jones
april@love-inc.us
Life INC Number: 605-939-7402
Personal Cell: 605-786-7709














Discipline Guidelines
1. Each Campus operate with a list of the “Life INC KidsMin Rules.” Establish the standards early and state them simply. Here are rules:
• Respect God
o Listen and obey the leaders
• Respect People
o Be nice and use kind words and actions
• Respect Property
o Clean up our mess and treat church property carefully

2. For the children’s safety, we do not allow hitting, biting, pushing, or kicking of any kind. If a child is doing any of these things, please stop what you are doing and immediately talk with the child. If the behavior continues, notify the Life INC Children’s Ministry Coordinator or Love INC Staff Person.

3. Life INC has a “no phones or electronics” policy. If a child has a phone, we will ask the parent to keep it for the duration of the kid's ministry time.

4. Utilize the “Three Strikes and you’re out” philosophy.

a. First Misbehavior – Dealing with the behavior quickly may alleviate more severe issues. Examples include:
• A verbal warning. Be firm but calm, showing little to no emotion. Do not make deals or compromise.
• Redirect child to another activity.
• Do not say anything that you are unable to follow through on.
• Do not say anything negative about the child or call the child any names.
• Children’s Ministry volunteer sits beside the child with the behavior (especially during story time).

b. Second Misbehavior – A disciplinary action needs to take place. Examples include:
• Time out. Sit the child out in the hall with staff supervision. Before reentering the room, consider praying with child about misbehavior.
• Children’s Ministry volunteer sits beside the child with the behavior (especially during story time).
• Misbehavior can be caused by something going on in the child’s life. See if the child is willing to talk it out.

c. Third Misbehavior – Child will be taken by the Life INC Staff Person to parent or guardian for remainder of class time.
Child Protection Guidelines
We strive to make Life INC a safe place for every volunteer and child. These guidelines are in place to protect youth, volunteers, and Love INC. All youth workers must be aware of and adhere to Life INC’s child protection guidelines.

1. Prior to beginning volunteer service, all workers are required to:
a. Complete a Volunteer Application Form.
b. Submit to a full criminal background check.
c. Be approved by Love INC’s Leadership.

2. When a classroom is in use:
a. Avoid being alone with a child if possible. If that is not possible, make sure to keep the door open and notify another children’s worker.
b. A room without exterior windows must have lights on.
c. Keep window(s) uncovered.
d. Nursery workers should make sure the entry door is open, and the gate is latched (unless directed otherwise).

3. Children going to the restroom: It is recommended to take classroom bathroom breaks as needed. Please follow the following guidelines: Workers who are working with younger children should accompany and only enter the restroom stall to assist when absolutely necessary. Stay within hearing distance of these children. It should be OK for older children to go to the restroom on their own with permission from a volunteer. Some older children cannot be trusted to go off on their own. Please use discernment on whether or not the older child will need to be supervised.

4. Be cautious when using physical contact with a child. Touching and/or hugging should be done in the presence of another adult and in an open area. Hugs are okay when initiated by the child and are not prolonged. A side hug is preferred over a frontal hug. Good alternatives to hugging would be high fives and fist bumps.

5. If a worker believes a child is in an unsafe or abusive environment, he/she must immediately contact the Love INC Staff Person and DSS or Law Enforcement. Such reporting is mandated by law. Failure to report suspicious activity could result in legal action against Love INC and the person(s) responsible for the child’s care while at Life INC. Person who is making the report will call DSS/law enforcement with Life INC staff person together (on speaker phone) so that both law enforcement and Life INC Staff are fully aware of what is being reported.

6. Parents are welcome to observe their child’s class or activity at any time, but if they choose to volunteer, they are required to go through the volunteer application process. Parents who are observing must stay in the check-in area of the room and cannot interact with the kids.

7. Children are usually not allowed to leave the classroom or their group unless accompanied by an adult unless there is a good reason. For their safety, please strive to keep the children together within the classroom.

8. Children must be picked up by the guardian/parent who dropped them off. During check in, parents will receive a claim number that matches the check in sticker of the child, and they will only be able to claim their child using that claim stub.

Reporting Child Abuse
If a staff member or worker in children’s ministries suspects that a child has been abused, according to the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, the following steps are to be taken:
1. Report the suspected abuse to the Love INC Staff Person and DSS or Law Enforcement.
2. Do not interview the child regarding the suspect abuse. If a child discloses abuse immediately report this to the Love INC Staff Person.
3. Discuss the suspected abuse only with the Love INC Staff Person and/or Life INC Program Director. It is important that both the names of the suspected child abuse victim and possible abuser be kept confidential.
4. The person reporting the suspected child abuse should write up an “Incident Report”. This report form can be found in the Life INC Campus Registration Box at the front desk. Confidentiality will be maintained where possible. This report should be completed within 24 hours of becoming aware of a suspected abuse incident and given to the Life INC Love INC Staff Person.
5. Keep a copy of your written report in a secure location.
6. Suspected child abuse will be reported to the appropriate governing agency by the Love INC Staff Person or Life INC Program Director in addition to the reporting party.
7. Be prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation conducted by law enforcement officials or Child Protective Services.
8. A designated spokesperson will be appointed to make any necessary statements or responses to the public or media if a response is needed.
To report child abuse or neglect, please call 877.244.0864. Intake Specialists will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If reporting an emergency situation before 8 a.m., after 5 p.m., on the weekends, or during a holiday, please contact your local law enforcement.





Identifying Physical and Sexual Abuse
Defining Sexual Abuse
A. Touching
1. Fondling—touching private parts
2. Inappropriate kissing
3. Intercourse (consensual or non-consensual)
4. Oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse

B. Non-touching
1. Sexual remarks
2. Showing pornography
3. Watching any sexual activity
4. Exhibitionism

Detecting Sexual Abuse
Most cases of sexual abuse go undetected. There may be no apparent physical signs, or there may be physical signs detected only through medical examination.
The cases that are reported are generally reported by abused children to their parents, siblings, or other caretakers—often in the form of casual remarks that lead the listener to query further.
Most children say nothing. They may not realize that what was done to them was wrong, or they may be too embarrassed or frightened to speak up. They may not want to get the offender in trouble, especially if a friendship has developed between offender and victim.
In some cases, telltale physical or emotional signs may arouse your suspicion. In its publication The Educator’s Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect outlines certain indicators of sexual abuse. (www.childwelfare.gov)
Physical Indicators
• Difficulty in walking or sitting
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Excessive pain or itching in the genital area
• Bruises or bleeding in external genital area, vaginal or anal area
• Venereal disease, especially in preteens
Behavioral Indicators
• Withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior
• Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
• Poor peer relationships

These signs can be indicative of other problems and are not exclusively tied to sexual abuse. But the repeated occurrence of an indicator or the presence of several indicators warrants further investigation.


Life INC Children’s Ministry Guidelines
Life INC provides Children’s Ministry for infants up to 12 years old, unless otherwise approved. Children’s Ministry is provided from 6:05 pm to the end of class. This service is intended only for the children of Life INC participants. The following Guidelines are in place to provide a happy, healthy environment for your children.
• Parent/Guardians will sign their child in and out using the children’s check in and out system.
• When using Life INC transportation, the parent/guardian is responsible for providing and installing the appropriate car seat(s) for their child(ren).
• We ask for the benefit of the students and their teachers that you keep your child with the Life INC Children’s Ministry and not in the Life INC classroom.
• Please pick up your child promptly when your class is over.
• The parent/guardian of the child must remain on the premises at all times.
• If a child is overly disruptive or exhibits aggressive behavior towards another child or Life INC staff, parent/guardian will be notified to remove the child for the remainder of the evening.
• Each child must have current information on file. Any special medical conditions, including allergies, should be noted, being as specific as possible.
• We ask that personal items not be brought into the children’s ministry room. If any items are important for the child to have, please make sure their name is on it.
• We ask that you have a clean diaper or pull-up on your child before signing them in. If your child needs a diaper change, we will get you out of class so you can change your child’s diaper.
• Children are not allowed to have phones or electronics while participating in the Life INC Children’s Ministry. We ask that parents/guardians keep the children’s phone during the duration of Life INC night.
1. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, please keep them at home.
• FEVER: Any temperature above 99.0.
• COLD: A runny nose with colored discharge and/or a loss of energy.
• COUGH: A wet or wheezy cough can spread bacterial or viral infection.
• RASH OR SKIN IRRITATION: Poison oak, impetigo, ring worm, cold sores, head lice, and communicable diseases, etc.
• DIARRHEA and/or VOMITING
• PINK EYE: Any unusual irritation of the eye or mucous membranes.
• HEAD LICE: Red bumps and/or excessively itchy scalp.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF LOVE INC/LIFE INC CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEER DOCUMENTS
I HAVE RECEIVED, REVIEWED, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER. A COPY HAS BEEN FURNISHED TO ME PERSONALLY.

 Staffing Guidelines
 Emergency Procedures
 Contact Information
 Discipline Guidelines
 Child Protection Guidelines
 Reporting Child Abuse
 Identifying Physical and Sexual Abuse
 Incident Report Form
 Life INC Childcare Guidelines