Protecting Today’s Child
CEF® USA Ministries
Child Protection Policy
Version 5.0
October 1, 2021
USA Ministries
PO Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383
(636) 456-4321, ext. 5510
T
he purpose of Child Evangelism
Fellowship® is to evangelize boys and
girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ and to establish (disciple) them in
the Word of God and in a local church
for Christian living. We recognize the
privilege and the responsibility this brings to all
involved in our organization.
There is no more sacred trust given than being
entrusted with precious children. Child Evangelism
Fellowship takes seriously our stewardship of
protecting children in our care. We are acutely
aware that those who would hurt children will seek
affiliation with Christian ministries to gain access to
children. Therefore, we must be diligent, ensuring
that thorough screening applies to every person
working with children in CEF.
Also, we must do everything possible to protect our
volunteers and staff from false accusations.
Parents entrust their children to us for nurture, safe
care, and wise leadership. It is imperative that there
are guidelines and procedures in place that will
protect children and provide peace of mind and
confidence to parents, volunteers, and staff.
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Child Evangelism Fellowship
Protecting Today’s Child, Version 5.0
POLICY ________________________________________
Child abuse is defined as any verbal abuse, online committee/board members who represent and/or
abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or participate in CEF;
infliction of injury. Examples of sexual abuse are: 1. Be screened by a face-to-face interview
rape, incest, sodomy, lewd or lascivious behavior 2. Show a government issued photo ID
which includes wrong types of speech, 3. Read the Child Protection Policy.
inappropriate use of communication devices or 4. Listen to or view the Protecting Today’s
touching. Child presentation.
5. Read and sign the Worker’s Compliance
In order to protect the child from abuse and our Agreement.
workers from false accusations, the following steps 6. Complete the Confidential Screening Form.
must be taken. 7. Complete the Background/Reference Check
Authorization (parent must sign for a
1. Always provide adult supervision for minor).
children in our care. For adults (18 and older), in addition to 1-7, CEF
2. Two-worker (minimum) rule: Two CEF must:
workers, paid or volunteer, must be present 8. Conduct a criminal background check with
at any CEF activity where children or these minimum requirements
minors are present including online or by • National Criminal Database Search
phone. • National Sex Offender Registry Search
a. Never be alone with a • Social Security Number Address
child/children in any setting. History Trace
b. Never be alone with a minor in any Note: If your legal jurisdiction requires
setting, unless the minor’s parent more, you must also comply with their
has signed a waiver. requirements.
3. Ensure that all rooms where ministry is For minors (ages 14-17), in addition to 1-7, CEF
taking place are accessible (not locked) must:
with a window in the door or the door left 9. Check two references, one of which is the
wide open. There should be no private pastor.
conversations, texts or online chats. For all adult staff (paid or volunteer), in addition
4. Report to supervisory staff all suspicious or to 1-8, CEF must:
inappropriate behavior between any CEF 10. Criminal record check for all states where
worker and a child or minor. the worker lived in the past five years.
a. Supervisory staff must complete R- 11. Check at least two references, one of which
9 (see USA Operations & Policy is the pastor.
Manual) and investigate incident For adult camp or overnight volunteers, in
immediately. addition to 1-8, CEF must:
5. Supervisory staff must make random visits 12. Check at least two references, one of which
of CEF sponsored activities. is the pastor.
6. Overnight activities sponsored by CEF
involving children or minors must be SPECIAL NOTE: Volunteers under age 14
approved by the local or state director and must:
the local committee or state board. • Always be under the direct supervision of a
screened worker aged 16 or above.
PRE-SERVICE SCREENING • Never be supervised by a single individual
All volunteers who have contact with minors (in (adult or minor).
person, online or by phone), all paid staff and all
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• Never serve as one of the two individuals in the CPP Compliance Verification Form
the two-worker policy requirement. (OPM, R-22) to the state board chairman.
2. The state board chairman is responsible for
Criminal Background Check Screening Rules ensuring compliance with the Child
Check references in cases where the applicant has a Protection Policy within his state.
criminal record or other red flag that does not Annually, the state board chairman
necessarily disqualify him/her from participation in confirms compliance by signing and
CEF ministries. submitting the CPP Compliance
Verification Form (OPM, R-22a) to USA
The following would prevent a person from Ministries.
working with CEF: 3. USA Ministries monitors to ensure 100%
1. Any crime against children. No exceptions. compliance with this policy.
2. Any sex crime of any type. No exceptions.
3. All felony convictions. Exceptions require REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
the approval of the vice president, USA When any worker has reasonable suspicion that a
Ministries. minor or child is being abused by anyone
representing CEF, or is himself accused, or
Rescreening Requirements someone whose action would reflect on CEF is
1. Every worker must review the Protecting accused, the following action must be taken:
Today’s Child presentation annually.
2. Workers who have not been active within 1. Call USA Ministries 636-456-4321, ext.
one year must have a Criminal Background 5510 as soon as possible and within 24
Check rerun. hours. Notify your next higher office that
3. Every worker must have a Criminal this step has been taken.
Background Check rerun every five years. 2. Any person suspected of child abuse will,
4. A worker transferring to another area must upon request, voluntarily relinquish or be
obtain from his former location a signed removed from duties which involve direct
and completed Screening Procedure contact with minors or children until the
Checklist. If the Criminal Background matter is completely resolved.
Check was conducted more than five years 3. USA Ministries will determine the future
prior, the transferred worker must be ministry of the accused staff member or
processed as a new worker. volunteer.
5. All minors (ages 14-17) must be processed
as new adult workers when they reach their WARNING: Failure to follow reporting procedures
18th birthday. of USA Ministries may result in termination of all
CEF workers responsible in this reporting process.
ENSURING COMPLIANCE
1. The committee chairman is responsible for All CEF staff and volunteers must fully abide by this
ensuring compliance within his local policy and all state child abuse reporting requirements.
chapter by annually signing and submitting
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