EPA Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator to Review All Congregation Safe Sanctuary Policies
EPA has appointed a Coordinator for our Safe Sanctuaries mission in our churches. Rev. Jacqueline D. Daniszewski, current chair of Safe Sanctuaries, has taken on this new role. Pastor Daniszewski will be reviewing the uploaded safe sanctuary polices in Arena and if they need corrections or additions, your listed church email address will receive an email with the needed information. Your church will then receive a certificate of verification for your policy, and it will also be uploaded to your church documents in Arena.
In order to have this effort run smoothly, we need each Arena administrator to upload their policy to Arena by March 1, 2024. You may use the resolutions for Safe Sanctuaries as written and available on the EPA website under Resources, Safe Sanctuaries and/or update for your congregational needs. Remember we now have the Older & Vulnerable Adults resolution as well, so it should be included in your submissions.
Any questions or problems, please email Rev. Daniszewski directly at pastorjackiedd@gmail.com. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation for our churches and the safety of all who attend our events and services.
Training Materials
- Safe Sanctuaries Training [PPTX]
- Definitions of Child Abuse under PA law [PDF]
- Vulnerable Older Adults [PPTX]
Response & Reporting
Report suspected child abuse or neglect to ChildLine at: 1-800-932-0313
- CY47 Form [PDF] - For use by mandated reporters. PA’s official form for reporting suspected child abuse, to be submitted to your local children and youth agency.
- Report suspected child abuse (PA) online - For use by mandated reporters. Requires creation of an account.
Resources
- Multiple Youth Registration Form [DOCX] | [PDF]
- Youth Release (English) [DOCX] | [PDF]
- Youth Release (Spanish) [DOCX] | [PDF]
- Church Mutual Transporation Safety Packet [PDF]
External Resources
-
- UMC Discipleship Safe Sanctuaries Resources
- UMC Youth Release Documents [DOCX] | [PDF] [Spanish: DOCX | PDF]
- Church Mutual Insurance Child & Youth Sexual Abuse Resources
- "Look out for Child Abuse" - Penn State Child Abuse Resource webpage
- PA Family Support Alliance - pa-fsa.org
- Stop It Now! Organization
Conference Policies
- Conference Safe Sanctuaries Policy Resolution [PDF]
- Alternate download: Conference Safe Sanctuaries Policy [.doc] - This editable version can be used for copying into your church's policies or to require signatures.
- Conference Safe Sanctuaries Policy Resolution (Spanish) [PDF]
- Alternate download: Conference Safe Sanctuaries Policy [.doc] - This editable version can be used for copying into your church's policies or to require signatures.
- Conference Vulnerable Adults Policy Resolution [PDF]
Alternate download: Conference Vulnerable Adults Policy [.doc] - This editable version can be used for copying into your church's policies or to require signatures. - Conference Vulnerable Adults Policy Resolution (Spanish) [PDF]
Alternate download: Conference Vulnerable Adults Policy [.doc] - This editable version can be used for copying into your church's policies or to require signatures. - 2016 - 10 Computer Network and Internet Access Resolution - FINAL [PDF] - The 2016 Computer Usage resolution as amended and approved at the 2016 Adjourned Session.
- Alternate download: 2016-10 Computer Network and Internet Access Policy [.doc] - - This editable version can be used for copying into your church's policies or to require signatures.
Selection & Screening
- Apply for Clearances Online:
- Child Abuse History Clearance
- PA State Criminal Record Check Online
- NJ State Criminal Record Check Online
Link is provided for current and recent NJ Residents only
to obtain background check for that state in addition to PA. - FBI Fingerprinting & Criminal History Report
- Under "Enter your Service Code to get started:"
- Employees enter 1KG756
- Volunteers enter 1KG6ZJ
- Under "Enter your Service Code to get started:"
For PDF downloads of the clearances, additional forms, and further information, continue to the full Selection & Screening Page.
Note: All clearances must be re-certified every 5 years.
Contact Us
The Rev. Jacqueline D. Daniszewski
Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator
Chair, Safe Sanctuaries Committee
pastorjackiedd@gmail.com