• MERCI
• 676 Community Dr.
• Goldsboro
• NC 27530

• 919-739-9167
• or 888-440-9167
• Fax: 919-739-9124

MERCI Center Safe Sanctuaries Policy
for Ministry with Children and Youth

The Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiatives (M.E.R.C.I.) of the North Carolina Conference United Methodist Church is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for all children, youth and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by our ministry. The following policies and procedures reflect our commitment to maintain our facilities as places of safety and protection for all.

The Following policies and procedures govern all volunteers and paid staff who work with children and/or youth.

1. The “Two Adult Rule”: No fewer than two volunteers and/or paid staff should be present at all times during any MERCI-sponsored program, event, or ministry involving children and/or youth. Risk will be reduced even more if the two adults are not related. In the event of a shortage of adults, a “roamer” may be assigned to drop in where children and/or youth are gathered.
2. First Aid/CPR Training: All long-term volunteers and paid staff will be provided with first aid and CPR training, as required. At all children and youth events, at least one of the adults present will have been trained.
3. Annual Orientation for long-term volunteers and paid staff: All workers with children and/or youth will be required to attend an orientation session in which they are informed of the following:

• MERCI’s policies for the prevention of child abuse
• The procedures to be used in all ministries with children and youth
• Appropriate steps to report an incident of suspected child abuse
• Details of the state laws regarding child abuse

At this orientation, long-term volunteers and paid staff will be given an opportunity to renew their covenant to abide by and cooperate with MERCI’s policies and procedures. MERCI will have an updated record that it has informed all of its long-term volunteers and paid staff about its policies. Long-term volunteers and paid staff will be given MERCI’s policies in writing.

4. The “Five-Years-Older” Rule: Any long-term volunteer or paid staff recruited or hired to work with children and/or youth should be at least five years older than any of the children or youth with whom she/he will work.
5. Concerning long-term volunteers and paid staff under the age of eighteen: All long-term volunteers and paid staff should be over the age of eighteen, unless specifically reviewed and approved by the appropriate MERCI committee.
6. Windows in All Classrooms: Each room set aside for children or youth should have a window, a door with a window or a half door.
7. Open-Door Counseling: At any counseling session with children or youth, the door of the room used shall remain open for the entire session.
8. It is our policy to split genders in our sleeping quarters.
9. No person who has been convicted of child abuse (either sexual abuse, physical abuse, or emotional abuse) should work with children or youth in any MERCI-sponsored activity.
10. Prior Notice to Parents: Parents or guardians will be given advance notice and full information regarding activities in which their children will be participating. Parents must give written permission for their child’s participation in MERCI activities.
11. All persons involved with children or youth at any MERCI-sponsored activity shall immediately report to a MERCI staff person any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate.
12. Regarding Paid Staff: Those seeking employment with MERCI shall undergo a background check and shall abide by the policies set forth in this document.
13. Regarding Long-Term Volunteers: Those long-term volunteers who will have direct contact with children and/or youth shall undergo background check and shall abide by the policies set forth in this document.

A suspected incident of abuse or inappropriate behavior, whether child, youth, or adult, must be reported to appropriate law enforcement agencies immediately, and to the North Carolina Conference Director of Connectional Ministries within 24 hours following the event or activity where the suspected behavior occurred.