Safety Resources
The Rio Texas Annual Conference is committed to the well-being of every person entrusted to its care as well as those persons entrusted to the care of the districts and local United Methodist Churches throughout our conference borders. Therefore, we will strive to create safe places for all of God's children. Our safety policy and procedures help us to do this holy and hard work.
Listed below are resources to help you in this important work.
Safe Ministry Resources
Rio Texas Conference Child, Youth, and Vulnerable Adult Safety Policy
• Church Annual Reporting Form
(for charge or church conferences)- • Communication Release Template
- • Local Church/Organization Safety Policy Template
- • Medical and Transportation Release Template
- • Mentor Form and Covenant Template
- • Photo Release Template
- • Guidelines for Communication with Media
- • Ministry with Known Sex Offenders
Safe Sanctuaries,
by J. Melton (Pages 112-114) - • Church Mutual
Should Your Church Accommodate Known Sex Offenders? - • Preventing
Bullying, hazing, and harassment - • Safety with Vulnerable Adults
- • Social Media & Digital Communication
- • 10 Ways to Teach Children to Speak Up About Sexual Abuse
- • Working with Outside Groups
- • Abuse:
Recognition and Reporting - • Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
(A Texas DFPS resource and guide) - • Child Abuse in Texas
- • Current Safe Sanctuaries Guidelines
- • Cyber Bullying and Harassment Response Guidelines
- • Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect:
Signs and Symptoms - • United Methodist Safe Sanctuaries Guidelines
- • Cyber Safety Policy (Example)
- Digital Citizenship Lessons
- • 11 Suggestions for Following Safe Sanctuaries Guidelines Online
- • Internet Safety
- • Safe Sanctuaries:
Media and Social Media Guidelines - • Safe Sanctuaries:
Supporting a Shift to Online Youth Ministry Meetings - • Social Media Guidelines:
Youth Ministry Example - • Social Media and Safe Boundaries Ministry Example
- • Church Mutual Transportation Training Videos (free)
- • CongregationU Defensive Driving:
Making safety decisions on the road - • CongregationU
Church, Van, & Bus Safety - *CongregationU is a Safe Gatherings Sister Company*
- • Camp Safety Training
- • Darkness to Light
(Child Sexual Abuse Training) - • Church Mutual Training and Videos
- • ChurchLaw&Tax:
Check-in and out procedures - • ChurchLaw&Tax:
Essential Guide to Children’s Ministry - • ChurchLaw&Tax: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry Safety
- • CongregationU Training and Video
(sister company to Safe Gatherings)
