Tuesday with Tiff: Parents Expectations about Safety at Church (and how to meet them)

It's been more than eight months since 26 teachers and children were murdered in Newtown, Conn.

But parents appear to be no more at ease than they were immediately after the incident. 

33% of K-12 parents say they fear for their child's safety at school, unchanged from last December.

Here's the results of a recent Gallup poll.

Parents have the same safety expectations when their children are at church.  This means that churches that meet parent's safety concerns will attract families.

Do you want to reach more families and see your children's ministry grow?  Then make safety and security a top priority.

Here's some ways to improve safety and security...

• Have a police officer present in the children's area during services and events.--- we have undercover safety team members present in the lobby at all times.
 
• In addition to a police officer, have a volunteer safety and security team that is present during services and events.
 
• Once the service begins, lock the doors of the children's areas. ---we have a plan to build a safer environment in the lobby to be able to block the children's area--more info coming soon!
 
• Limit your access points into the children's areas.
 
• Have an evacuation plan in place. ---this is currently done and going to be posted soon.
 
• Only allow approved people in your children's areas. ---we all need to keep this in check! Even if you see a safety team member, ask them if there's something you can help them with. They intentionally walk through the hallways for safety but to see if they will be stopped.
• Have a check-in and check-out security system in place. 

• Have team members CPR/First Aid Certified. ---this is something that I'm proud to let parents know that most of our team members are currently up to date on this! If you have NOT been certified, your next opportunity is: Sunday, October 13 1:30-4:30 at Freedom Church in Room 201. Cost is $5 for your certification card. Anyone ages 13+ can and is encouraged to participate. (Thank you Tonja Padgett for volunteering your time to get the Greenhouse and Security/Safety Team certified!)

As a part of our vision at the Greenhouse (A SAFE AND FUN PLACE FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER GOD), we need to do everything we can to provide this for families. How do you feel we are doing this with excellence? What are some ideas you have that can improve our ministry?