Home > Child Abuse Prevention Training

 

Introduction:
As you probably know, new laws enacted in 2006 for Texas camps make specific sexual abuse training mandatory for every adult 18 years and older who has an opportunity to interact with campers (children younger than 18 who are staying at a youth camp for at least three consecutive nights). This includes staff members, volunteers, group leaders, counselors, pastors, worship leaders, recreation groups, etc. Parents or relatives at camp for a short time to visit their child are exempt. Background checks are also mandatory for each adult, but these have been common practice. Note that the certificates received after passing the test are valid for two years in Texas.

Although the legislation comes at a time when compliance is challenging, we believe it’s a positive step toward keeping kids safe. We appreciate your help in this process as we share the responsibility and joy of providing kids with a safe, nurturing environment at camp.

 

Our Approach:

As we evaluated how to best accomplish this task, we decided we would offer an online solution, as well a simple classroom option. Please review both options below to determine which solution best suits your group, but we have found the classroom option (2), to be the least hassle for most groups.

 

(1) Online: Brookhaven utilizes the Youth Camp Sexual Abuse & Child Molestation Awareness Training by Safe Camps, approval number YC06-0002, for the complete online solution. To recoup our direct costs for this process, Brookhaven will include on the group’s final bill a charge of $9.50 for each participant who takes the test online. The certification is valid for two years at any Texas youth camp, as each youth camp licensed by the State of Texas must, by law, require the certification.

 

Steps to have participants take the Child Abuse Prevention Training Course online:

 

1.       Download the background check consent form here (please turn off any pop-up blockers), make enough copies for each participant and return the completed forms to Brookhaven.

2.       Acquire the name and date of birth of each participant and e-mail this information to info@brookhavenretreat.org.

3.       Brookhaven will then issue the group leader a list of unique IDs/passwords for each participant, along with a URL where the training program will be accessed.

4.       Provide the participants with their IDs/passwords and the URL and have the participants go on line and take the course and test (They should allow 1.5 hours for the session. The training should take approximately one hour and the exam should take 15 to 20 minutes).

5.       Upon passing the test, participants should print out the Certificates of Completion.

6.       Give the Certificates of Completion to the Brookhaven office before or upon arrival.

7.       Brookhaven will include a charge of $9.50 per participant on the group’s final bill.

 

Pros for the online option:

  • It's convenient
  • It can be completed individually
  • It includes audio
  • The test grade (pass/fail) is issued immediately
  • It includes an automatic background check

Cons for the online option:

  • It requires a computer, Internet connection and the Flash software (free download)
  • Loading times may make the process lengthier
  • Leader will need to obtain participant names and birthdates
  • Not as conducive for group interaction
  • Review is more difficult, as the participant may need to reload the course from the beginning to go back over material
  • It costs $9.50/person

(2) Classroom: The classroom option uses a text manuscript, a leader's presentation, a participant's listening guide or worksheet that would closely resemble the exam and a certificate to indicate completion of the course. This option is also approved by the State of Texas, approval number, YC06–0003. All the needed documents may be downloaded from this page at no cost to you.

  

Steps to Lead the Child Abuse Prevention Training Course in the classroom:

 

  1. Schedule and promote the training session for your leaders. Allow 1.5 hours for the session. The training should take approximately one hour and 15 to 20 minutes to take the exam.

  2. Download (turn off any pop-up blockers and right-click (PC) or Ctrl+click for Mac) each of these documents (5 PDFs and one PowerPoint presentation) and make enough copies of each: Leaders Instructions; Curriculum Text; PowerPoint Presentation; Participant's Worksheet; Exam; Certificate of Completion

  3. Study each of the curriculum pieces in order to lead the training session.

  4. Here are some suggestions for use for each piece of the curriculum:

a.       Curriculum Text: You will probably want to use this for the leader only. It will have some information for the leader to add during the presentation.

b.       PowerPoint Presentation: This follows the outline of the text and addresses the points that are on the Participant's Worksheet, which closely resembles the exam.

c.        Participant's Worksheet: Be sure that every person has a copy of this worksheet. It will reinforce the main points of the course and help prepare them for the exam. The participants will also need pens or pencils since it contains fill in the blank, true and false and multiple choice questions.

d.       Exam: There are 25 questions on the exam. The participants will need to score at least 70% (18 of 25) of the questions correctly. After taking the exams, take them up and grade them. If anyone does not pass on the first attempt, have them retake the exam at another time.

e.       Exam Key: Please email us at info@brookhavenretreat.org if you would like us to provide you with an exam key.

5.   Make sure you work from a master list to ensure that all camp leaders take the training and pass the exam before they arrive at camp.

6.   Give the Certificates of Completion to the Brookhaven office before or upon arrival.

7.   Get and give a copy of a criminal background check for each person to the Brookhaven office before or upon arrival.

 

Pros for the classroom option:

  • No computer, Internet connection or computer savvy is necessary
  • Group interaction is easier
  • There's no fee
  • The material can be covered more quickly, as loading time is not an issue
  • Review is simple

Cons for the classroom option:

  • Materials must be printed/copied
  • Background check must be obtained separately
  • Leader will need to grade the tests

Whatever option you choose, Brookhaven staff is available to answer any of your questions and to help in any way we can. We've been through both the online and the classroom options. Be sure to get us your background check documents (for the classroom option) and the certificates for each participants before you come, if possible, but certainly before your leaders have interaction with the kids on camp property.

 

Blessings to you,

 

The Staff of Brookhaven Retreat

Brookhaven Christian Retreat is a Texas Christian camp and conference center that groups can rent. It's located near Tyler, Texas.
 
Home Links

Brookhaven Outdoor Education Center

Give to Brookhaven

Specials

 
 

Web Design by Justin Boles
E-mail Brookhaven