Resources:
IGRC Abuse Prevention Policy for Conference/District Events (Note: This policy was approved by the 2015 session of Annual Conference. It is posted here for ease of reference.)
IGRC Policy Statement on Sexual Misconduct (Note: Safe Sanctuaries policies and sexual misconduct policies are NOT the same thing - and local churches need both. This conference policy was approved by the 2014 session of Annual Conference.)
Safe Gatherings (online training and background checks)
Electronic Communication Recommendations - This list of recommendations for communication via such means as social media and text messaging was compiled by members of the IGRC Connectional Ministries staff team and is based in part on similar recommendations from other Annual Conferences in the United States. This document may be edited when it is presented to the 2020 session of Annual Conference. Meanwhile, the recent increase in electronic communications prompted its inclusion on this website.
Online DCFS Training on Recognizing and Reporting Abuse - As of January 1, 2020, ALL workers directly responsible for caring for children under the age of 18 years in churches, both paid and volunteer, along with all other mandated reporters (which includes all clergy), are required by Illinois law to be trained by DCFS. This free online training meets that requirement. It does not, however, eliminate the need for training in Safe Sanctuaries in person or through Safe Gatherings.
Downloadable brochures: Reporting Elder Abuse Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Reporting Child Abuse Para Informar Acerca del Abuso de Niños Reporte el Abuso de Ancianos Defensor del Cuidado a Largo Plazo CDC Brochure on Policies and Procedures Handout on Elder Abuse
Downloadable resources from Discipleship Ministries: Responsible Social Media for Churches and Youth Groups Special Events and Traveling with Youth: Abuse Prevention Strategies
Sample policies and documents at the Discipleship Ministries website
DCFS Regional and Field Office Directory
Area Agencies on Aging (look for your county)
HIPAA Privacy Rule and Local Churches (a 2004 statement from GCFA)
Sex Offender Information (from IGRC Standing Rules)
Helping to Make a Safe Church (a three-session study to help congregations reflect on the reality of gun violence and begin the process of developing an emergency operations plan)
Guide for Developing High Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship
Safe Sanctuaries books (Each book cover below is a link to Cokesbury or the Upper Room's website, where the books may be purchased.) Most of the books are available as ebooks and for Kindle as well as in print.
Safe Sanctuaries materials, including a training DVD, may also be borrowed from the United Media Resource Center.
For further information or to schedule training for your congregation, please contact Rev. Beth Fender via email or at 217-529-2611.
(Page revised 2/17/2020)