Safety and Security

Many well-meaning children’s ministry directors see the importance of child safety and want to change their practices, but they try to do it alone. If you want to implement lasting change that will transcend seasons in ministry, engage your organization’s board of directors. They can help equip you with the resources you need, and their approval will specify clear goals. Getting your leadership on board will catalyze organizational change as the members of your church buy into the vision of child safety.

After board buy-in, it is extremely important to ask others to join you in the writing and implementation of new policies and procedures. If you try to handle this alone, you will get stuck. Child safety is a collaborative effort. It is extremely important that you have different perspectives to help you see gaps in the Child Safety Program, as well as other people to encourage you to stay the course when the going gets tough.

We encourage you to pursue accreditation with ECAP. During the accreditation process your organization’s policies and practices are compared to ECAP’s objective: established Child Safety Standards to verify that your program is in compliance with those standards. Your first step is to apply. Once your application is approved, you will begin comparing your current policies with ECAP Standards; and with the help of our staff and additional resources, you will start bringing your organization into compliance.