This is the time of year when ministry teams begin ramping up for vacation bible school or VBS. VBS is a unique event that brings together a lot of new kids in a short time who probably don’t attend your weekly program. This can be a blessing and a curse from a child safety standpoint. Whether recruiting new volunteers, preparing budgets, or creating a promotional plan, child safety should be a top priority regardless of where you are in the planning process. Implementing a safety plan or policies that focus on protection protocols is a good first step. This will help you attract new families ..read more

Child neglect and maltreatment are serious issues that require immediate action, and while they will never be eliminated, prevention is crucial for protecting the most vulnerable. That’s why, when working with families, we must prioritize prevention and identify, respond to, and report instances of abuse. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM). It is a time of year to focus on and recognize the importance of families and communities coming together to prevent child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment. Research confirms that abuse has catastrophic effects on a child’s life and the ..read more

The kids in your organization grow up fast, and as they mature, they have different needs and participation requirements. Join Cheryl and Angela from KidCheck as they discuss YouthCheck—the only check-in system designed to meet the specific needs of youth. YouthCheck offers the same ease of use and extensive security features as KidCheck’s children’s check-in. In this video, you’ll discover what makes YouthCheck unique, why it was developed, who it’s for, and how it works. See Cheryl demonstrate some important features, including the YouthCheck App, Reports, Admin Console, Roster, and Broadca ..read more

Don’t let all the effort and energy you put into Easter go to waste. Keep the momentum and conversation going with visiting families by executing an effective follow-up plan encouraging them to return. To help reconnect, run your First-Time Visitor Report. This will help you execute quickly and ensure no one is overlooked. The goal of your follow-up plan isn’t to share vanity metrics such as the number of new families who attended or the children’s program success. Instead, the purpose should be to let families know you genuinely thought of them and planned an experience that extends pas ..read more

Child safety is a top priority for families when dropping off their kids, and Easter is no exception. Whether families are visiting or attending regularly, they will evaluate your organization by how it conducts the day-to-day safety protocols. As families become more informed, they know how to identify gaps in protection and may choose not to return if they feel safety is compromised. As you prepare to celebrate Easter, it’s an excellent time to review your safety plan and consider ways to improve it. By prioritizing safety and wellness, you will create a memorable experience for everyone. H ..read more

Easter is on its way, and we’d like to help! Here’s the first of two posts on utilizing KidCheck to maximize your Easter efforts. We’ll cover essential KidCheck tools and features that help you efficiently manage the day, reduce your workload, and easily connect with new and attending families. Next week, in Part 2, we’ll cover how to welcome new families, proactively follow up, and better serve those who regularly attend.      Prepare Temporary Additional Licenses or Edition Upgrade: If and when you need it, you can move to Unlimited licenses or upgrade to a different edition ..read more

Easter is right around the corner and is one of the biggest celebrations and most widely attended services of the year. As you gear up, you’ll want to ensure your volunteers are prepared to participate in this memorable celebration. As you fine-tune the details, don’t wait until the last minute to share important need-to-know information with staff and volunteers. To help make Easter services run smoothly and encourage volunteers to get the most from their experience, you will need to equip them properly. In the weeks leading up to Easter, here are a few suggestions to prepare them for the oc ..read more

Everyone is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the children that attend your program. A drop-off policy is a critical element of a protected ministry. The drop-off policy outlines how your organization intends to accept children and defines what information must be collected before admittance. However, a drop-off policy alone will not protect and secure your children’s area. The drop-off policy must work in conjunction with a well-designed check-in procedure. Whether using a manual or electronic solution, the check-in process equips your organization to strengthen child saf ..read more

It’s vital for organizations serving children and youth to have comprehensive policies in place to address child safety. One often overlooked element is the “Permission to Treat” form. This simple yet powerful tool can make a significant difference in ensuring the well-being of those in your care. Here are the benefits of including a “Permission to Treat” form in your safety policy.     1. Incident Management: Response time is crucial when an emergency arises. The “Permission to Treat” form grants immediate consent for any required medical treatment. This is particularly important w ..read more

This week, we are featuring a guest post from Justin Knowles. Justin oversees the kids’ and youth ministry teams for all 13 Sandals Church campuses in Riverside, CA. In his spare time, he co-hosts the Youth Ministry Hacks Podcast, writes about his adventures in ministry for the DYM Blog, and frequently speaks and teaches at various camps, retreats, and trainings. Most importantly, Justin is the father of two sons and a devoted husband to Kristin. In the post, Justin shares four components of building vibrant and impactful ministry teams and reminds youth pastors that volunteers are not just i ..read more