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.

Other Ministry Resources

Abuse: Statistics, Prevention, & Reporting

• 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

Blogs, Articles, and other resources

• Creating Welcoming Youth Ministries With Transgender Young People

• Growing Together: Blog, Podcast, and Online Resources

• LGBTQ and Safe Sanctuaries

• Stop Bullying

• Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations

• Uber and Safety Policies

• Safe Gatherings Policy Builder

Communication Guidelines & Best Practices

• 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

Driving and Transportation

• Church Mutual Transportation Training Videos (free)

• CongregationU (Safe gatherings Sister Company)

  • Defensive Driving: Making safety decisions on the road

  • Church, Van, & Bus Safety

Response Resources

• Tag You’re it: Grant Halliburton Foundation Educational Program for Young Adult Depression and Suicide Prevention

• Tag You’re it: Where to find help, wallet card

Mental Health Resources

• Warning Signs and Symptoms

• Not OK App: Support is one click away

Print Resources

• Safe Sanctuary Books by Joy Melton

• Safe Sanctuaries in a Virtual World, Joy Melton

• Smaller Church Youth Ministry: No Staff, No Money, No Problem! Brad Fiscus and Stephanie Caro

Sample Policies, Guidelines, and Best Practices

• Best Practices for photos

• Sample Responding and Reporting Plan

• Safety in the Nursery

• Steps for keeping the vulnerable safe

• Trustees responsibility for safety

Trainings

• 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)

Volunteer Ministry

• Retaining Servant Team Members

Questions?

Check out our FAQs or contact us using this form.