Friday, April 10th, 2026
A child arrives at youth group withdrawn, with frequent unexplained bruises. They may be quieter than usual, avoid eye contact, or pull away from group activities. You notice changes in behavior or mood, but you’re unsure what they mean. What would you do? Moments like this can feel uncertain, even uncomfortable. But how leaders respond […]
Read More >>Friday, April 3rd, 2026
Recent news out of a suburb of Kansas City has once again highlighted a difficult but critical truth: even in trusted environments, gaps in screening, training, and oversight can lead to serious harm. In this case, a youth leader was charged with multiple child sex crimes involving a minor connected to the organization. According to […]
Read More >>Friday, March 20th, 2026
You are helping lead a youth group when a new volunteer shows up, eager to jump in and help. As you check your records, you realize they haven’t completed their Safe Gatherings training yet. They seem ready and willing, and the group could use the extra help, but you know the importance of following proper […]
Read More >>Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Recent legislation in Rhode Island is bringing renewed attention to accountability in cases of childhood sexual abuse. Annie’s Bill, sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, builds on the foundation established by Annie’s Law, which extended the statute of limitations in Rhode Island for survivors seeking civil justice. Annie’s Bill goes further by expanding legal responsibility […]
Read More >>Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Does your background screening package include a search of Federal records? If not, you could be missing vital information. In your commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, it would be important to know if a potential staff member or volunteer has been convicted of distributing child pornography, using the internet to entice a minor, or drug […]
Read More >>Monday, February 16th, 2026
You’re sitting in a monthly leadership meeting when the topic of safety comes up. You share that you’d like to strengthen your church’s abuse prevention policies and create a consistent screening process for anyone serving with children and youth. The room goes quiet. Then someone says:“We’re a small church. Everyone knows each other.” Another adds:“We’ve […]
Read More >>Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
You are the new ministry leader at your church overseeing the children’s and youth areas. This church does not seem to have much documentation and there aren’t very many policies in place. When you’ve brought up the topic to others in the church, their response is that “it’s a fairly small church and everyone knows […]
Read More >>Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
A recent article from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) highlights a component that some organizations may overlook when searching for solutions to support workplace well-being: spirituality. When embraced inclusively, spirituality can be a powerful tool for supporting both the emotional and psychological needs of individuals. According to SHRM, organizations that acknowledge and support […]
Read More >>Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
Church nurseries and Sunday school classrooms are more than just places where children learn about faith; they are spaces where kids should feel safe, seen, and protected. Parents entrust churches with their most precious gifts, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that trust is never misplaced. One of the most important ways churches can uphold […]
Read More >>Monday, July 14th, 2025
It’s chaotic in the Sunday school one morning and a man shows up to pick up a child. The child runs over to him, and it’s clear to you that he is a familiar face to the child. You look at one of your co-volunteers and she says, “Oh, that’s her uncle Steve.” Before you […]
Read More >>Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
You’re a volunteer at an organization working with young children. After your shift one week, you read an article about mandated reporting. You have heard about this, but you aren’t sure if it applies to you. On the one hand, it seems like the right thing to do. But it also seems a little intimidating. […]
Read More >>Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
In today’s world, ensuring the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults is crucial. Families trust organizations with the well-being of their loved ones, and it’s essential to uphold that trust with transparency and safety measures. Safe Gatherings offers a comprehensive system that gives organizations the tools to protect those they serve while creating confidence […]
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