Providence Church is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for children and their families.
All volunteers working with children and students are known individuals within the church who have completed a criminal background check, child abuse awareness training, and a personal safety screening.
Providence Church holds zero tolerance for abuse in ministry programs and activities. It is the responsibility of every staff member and volunteer to act in the best interest of all children in every program. In the event a staff member or volunteer observes any inappropriate behaviors (i.e. policy violations, neglectful supervision, poor role-modeling, etc.) or suspected abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, or sexual) it is that individual’s responsibility to immediately report his or her observations.
Confidentiality
At every stage of the investigative process, Providence Church will work on a need-to-know basis, keeping the circle as tight as possible in order to preserve the privacy of the victim(s) and accused and their families.
Report Suspicious or Inappropriate Behavior
Providence Church believes that, as Christians, we all have a moral and ethical responsibility to report alleged or potential abuse of children.
All staff and volunteers are asked to report ‘grooming’ behavior, policy violations, and any other suspicious behavior. Upon receiving a report, a designated team will convene to review the claims, evaluate any immediate needs for medical services or law enforcement action, and consult proper legal counsel to ensure the proper next steps are taken. The team will work with all appropriate parties to develop a safety and support plan for any child or children involved and their families.
The Texas Department of Families and Protective Services
Texas is a mandatory reporting state for suspected child abuse. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, it is your responsibility to make a report within 48 hours. You can choose to call the Texas Department of Families and Protective Services (DFPS) directly at 1.800.252.5400 on your own or have a staff member assist you with the phone call.
You can also submit a report online. A benefit of the online report is that documentation is immediately available. It is highly encouraged that you document all concerns with date, time, location, witnesses, names of parties of involved, names of DFPS parties, and all other relevant details.