These Frequently asked questions are designed to help you navigate our website and find out information about Plan to Protect®. Our Members can see our Safeguarding FAQs for more information about abuse protection and prevention.
1. Where to Start
1a) Q: Where do I even begin to deal with abuse prevention?
A. We strongly encourage you to purchase a copy of Plan to Protect®. You can order it on-line or by calling our Plan to Protect® offices. The Plan to Protect® manual is a guide to help you both establish policy and implement an abuse prevention program. We recognize that implementing an abuse prevention plan is an overwhelming task. Don’t be tempted to take any short cuts - it will be manageable if you break it up into bite size pieces. In Plan to Protect®, we provide an Implementation Strategy. Let the manual guide you step by step. If you need additional support our implementation memberships is the perfect tool.
2. Plan to Protect® the Manual
2a) Q: We've spent a lot of time working with Plan to Protect®. How do updates affect all of the work we have done to date?
A: Your hard efforts to date will not be affected by newer versions of Plan to Protect®. You can continue to build on the work you have already done and become very familiar with the new manual. Assess your progress and see where there may be opportunities for your organization to complete compliance. We encourage you to purchase a new copy of the Plan to Protect® manual if your copy is older than 2008.
2b) Q: What’s new in this manual that’s different from the previous two versions of Plan to Protect®
A:There are a number of new or updated portions in the manual including:
3. Regulatory
3a) Q: Have you sought legal counsel for Plan to Protect®?
A: As with the previous two editions of Plan to Protect®, legal counsel was consulted, and legal counsel has reviewed the manuals. We have secured input from both our legal team and from an insurance company that specializes in protecting churches and non-profit organizations. Both parties reviewed the document and adjustments were made following their recommendations. We are confident that we are providing you with the best and most reliable research available at the point of publication. Please note however, that Plan to Protect® should not be considered legal counsel, we do recommend that every organization secure independent legal counsel prior to Board approval of customized policies.
3b) Q: We talked to our police department, lawyer, insurance company and they have told us something different than you have in Plan to Protect®. Who do we believe?
A: We do encourage you to secure legal advice from your own lawyer. We discovered even in our research that if you ask 10 people, even experts, you may receive 10 different answers. Prior to publishing Plan to Protect® we secured input both from our legal team and input from an insurance agency that specializes in protecting churches and non-profit organizations. Both parties reviewed the document and adjustments were made following their recommendations. We are confident that we are providing you with the best and most reliable research available at the point of publication.
3c) Q: Is Plan to Protect® governed by provincial laws?
A: Plan to Protect® is not governed by provincial law but does recommend the best practices for your organization to adhere to the laws that pertain to the care of the vulnerable sector. Our publications are not legal bills or regulations but rather recommendations to use to compile policies and procedures for providing safe environments for vulnerable persons. Many insurance companies are now saying the policies as outlined in Plan to Protect® are basic requirements for insurance coverage. These guidelines will also ensure due diligence if your organization is named in a lawsuit. We encourage you not to cut corners, but to take every precaution to protect the vulnerable sector.
4. Plan to Protect® 101
4a) Q: We implemented Plan to Protect® years ago but have not kept it up to date – how do we get back on track?
A: Plan to Protect® involves both an extensive implementation stage and a commitment to maintain the program through process management. Many of the organizations we surveyed acknowledged that they do a few of the steps in Plan to Protect®, but not 100%. It is not necessary to start over, but rather pick up where you left off. Take time to become acquainted with Plan to Protect® 2014 and assess where you are and what needs to be done. Continue to raise the bar on abuse prevention and set S.M.A.R.T. goals until you are 100% compliant.
S.M.A.R.T. goals are:
S – Specific Goals
M – Measurable Goals
A – Attainable Goals
R – Realistic Goals
T – Time Oriented Goals
Our Admin/Leader course is a great way to learn how to administer, implement and maintain Plan to Protect® - this is a great resource to help you get back on track.
4b) Q: Is it true that most organizations only implement Plan to Protect® for their children’s programs and not their youth programming; or that Plan to Protect® is only designed for those up to the ages of 12 years old?
A: Myth: Plan to Protect® is a protection plan for children, not youth
The youth component of the manual was researched and written by Dave Brotherton, Professor of Youth Ministry at Ambrose University and Seminary and National Youth Facilitator for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Canada. He knows youth programming well and is passionate about protecting youth and protecting youth leaders. Hats off to Dave and those of you who are youth leaders that wrestle to create safe environments for your youth; we know it is not an easy task but you are raising the bar.
One of the biggest challenges that youth program leaders face is interacting with and mentoring young people without putting themselves in vulnerable situations. They also face the challenge with how to communicate with youth when the name of the game is emailing, texting, Facebook and MSN. Top this with the issue of youth with camera phones tagging images of young people on the internet and posting videos of them on YouTube.
We recognize that implementing abuse prevention in youth programs is a challenge. But please don’t throw out the program or plan because it is a challenge. Youth programs and activities are often very high risk.
Plan to Protect® is also important for vulnerable adults and those with disabilities. We are working on updating our resources to include expanded procedures, policies, and training for those working with this section of the vulnerable sector.
Myth: Plan to Protect® says you can’t mentor individuals off-site and you can’t do off-site programs
Myth: Plan to Protect® says you can’t email individuals or communicate via facebook.
When we hear the resistance that some program leaders have towards Plan to Protect® we sense the need to emphasize again that Plan to Protect®is not a policy but a plan to establish a policy. It is the responsibility of the organization’s leaders and board to establish a policy. We recommend that these policies be set up in conjunction with the youth leaders where they address challenges and concerns being mindful that within programming there are many risks.
We prefer not to focus on specific scenarios as the possible number is great. Can we throw the ball back into your court leaders and encourage you to embrace these five principles? The first four principles are adapted from Reducing the Risk. At Plan to Protect® we have added one which we believe is key in demonstrating due diligence and reflects the plan. We encourage your supervisors to hold you accountable to these principles:
Five Key Principles:
Tips:
We believe that one of the most important pieces of documentation is “An Informed Letter of Consent with a Release and Waiver.” Provide this as a download from your website for easy access.
On behalf of the many people who have been exploited and abused, we want to say a big thank you for doing your part to protect others. On behalf of leaders who have been falsely accused of abuse, please don’t let down your guard. On behalf of Plan to Protect®, we are so encouraged to see many program leaders attend our training courses as this provides opportunity to network together to learn from each other.
4c) Q: Can we use the term Plan to Protect for our abuse prevention program?
A: Check out our Terms and Conditions guidelines for the registered trademark and copyright! CLICK HERE
Disclaimer: The development, preparation and publication of this work has been undertaken with great care. However, the publisher, editors, employees and agents of Plan to Protect® are not responsible for any errors contained herein or for consequences that may ensue from use of materials or information contained in this work. The information contained herein is intended to assist organizations in establishing policy. Plan to Protect® and references to the manual are only as current as the date of publication and do not reflect subsequent changes in law. This information is distributed with the understanding that it does not constitute legal advice. Organizations are strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel as well as counsel from your insurance company when establishing a policy.
