Child Safety Resources
Disclaimer: The resources and ministries on this page are not comprehensive or an affiliate of CDM. Our goal is to connect you to resources that may be helpful, but CDM is not endorsing any of these organizations.
“Child Protection in the PCA”
All church leaders should become informed and take an active stance toward preventing child sexual abuse in the church by screening staff and volunteers, training them in child protection, and actively maintaining child protection policies pertaining to our obligations to love our children and protect their rightful interests as God’s image-bearers from the devastating actions of abusers. (Matthew 18:5-6)
From Overture 6 – Georgia Foothills Presbytery
BOOKS:
Child Safeguarding Policy Guide by Basyle Tchividjian
Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused (A curriculum with videos that helps train churches in responding well to abuse in the church. This is a free download.)
Safe Kids: Policies and Procedures for Protecting Children in the Church by Blake Caldwell
Preventing Child Abuse by Beth A Swagman (Helps churches and nonprofit organizations develop policies and procedures to protect children and youth.)
Child Safety Guidelines for Local Churches by Roger N. McNamara
Safekeeping by Henni Helleman, Patricia J Vos (An age-appropriate two-session abuse prevention curriculum for grades K-8.)
Plan to Protect Manual (Canadian resource)
BACKGROUND SEARCH ORGANIZATIONS:
ADP
Employee Background Checks and Pre-employment Screening from ADP provides the tools and expertise to quickly and accurately assess candidates.
Checkr Checkr provides companies and organizations with a way to order compliant background checks. With Checkr, your church can verify the history of your staff and volunteers and take steps towards ensuring the safety of your congregation.
MinistrySafe 
provides seven levels of background checks in a simple online dashboard, with discounted pricing offered to PCA churches. Customization and price match services are available, as well as access to expert legal advice. View pricing
Protect My Ministryoffers complete background check and volunteer screening services for churches. Used by General Assembly.
USAFact Reliable, accurate and affordable background checks, drug testing, tenant screening and loan origination services.
ONLINE:
Protect My Ministry helps you fill the gaps in your risk management strategy, helping faith-based organizations maintain a safe environment so they can focus on fulfilling their mission.
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, VA, has developed a thorough system and set of resources to protect children in their church. In addition, they have provided various forms for everything from a children’s ministry volunteer application and youth ministry staff applications, to a background check waiver. They have generously allowed us to share their resources with you. Check out their many resources here.
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance provides an Online library of safety and risk management materials created especially for churches and related ministries. The website has articles, checklists, guidebooks and tools, publications, sample forms, and training.
MinistrySafe equips churches to implement the 5-Part Safety System through a simple online dashboard. Resources include online training, sample screening forms, sample policies, background checks, tools for monitoring and oversight, and access to expert legal advice. Discounted pricing offered to PCA churches.
Child Protection Policies:
- Sample Child Protection Policy
- Sample from North Shore Fellowship Policies & Procedures
- Chapel PCA Child Protection Policy
Child Safety:
Discipline:
For some ideas on Discipline, we have included a resource, Classroom Discipline Made Easy by Barbara Bolton; Standard Publishing.
Church Policies for Registered Sex Offenders:
Click for Resources for Churches: Policies for Registered Sex Offenders