Supporting Teaching: Safety, Health and Ethics in Congregations

Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D.
Children and Families Programs Director, UUA

The health and well being of every member of a congregation depends on the development and maintenance of the intentionally safe and healthy congregation. We cannot actively respect and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all beings when we do not feel safe. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations provides comprehensive on-line resources to support healthy and safe congregations. Questions frequently asked by those working in lifespan religious education are listed with resources, sample forms, and step-by-step guides to support safe congregational communities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Health in Congregations with Resources

What can I do to create a congregational environment that is healthy and safe?

• Provide information and procedures to minimize health and safety risks.
• Customize forms and procedures to suit your congregation.

In the event that a child or youth is injured, what do I do?

• Treat the child; inform the DRE and family; record for congregation files what occurred including treatment; and follow up with child/youth/family as needed.
• Record the incident in an Incident Report Form .

Frequently Asked Questions about Safe Congregations with Resources

Is there one Comprehensive Safe Congregation Resource?

•  Balancing Acts: Keeping Children Safe in Congregations, by Rev. Debra W. Haffner

What can I do to keep children and youth safe?

•  Covenant and define adults' responsibility to the children and youth.

•  Develop and implement congregational policies with responsible staffing.

How can I covenant with those working with youth and children to adhere to Safe Congregations guidelines?

•  Screening Form for Religious Educators and Youth Group Staff and Volunteers

•  Agreement to Teach Form for Religious Educators and Youth Group Leaders

•  Code of Ethics

How can I educate children for safety?

•  Offer age-appropriate messages for preschoolers, elementary school-age children, and youth.

•  Provide sexuality and sexual abuse education.

What do I do in a crisis or if I suspect abuse?

•  Suspecting Abuse and Mandated Reporting

•  What to do during a Crisis: A Step by Step Guide

Who do I contact at the UUA for support around Safe Congregation issues?

• Contact the Director of Congregational Services, Rev. Dr. Tracey Robinson-Harris (617) 948-6462.
• Additional resources are available on the UUA website.

Permission granted to Unitarian Universalist congregations to reproduce/edit resources on this site. Please credit original authors.

Unitarian Universalist Association
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