To protect Thalian Association (TACT) staff, volunteers, and program participants, at no time during a TACT program may a staff person or volunteer be alone with a single child where the staff person or volunteer cannot be observed by others.
Staff shall never leave a child unsupervised.
Staff and volunteers will make sure a restroom is not occupied before allowing children to use the facilities. Staff will stand in the doorway while children are using the restroom. If staff or volunteers are assisting younger children, door to the facility must remain open.
Staff and volunteers will conduct and supervise private activities (diapering, putting on bathing suits, showering) in pairs. When this is not feasible, staff should be positioned so that they are visible to others.
Staff shall not abuse children or use corporal punishment of any kind. This includes physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, or neglect. Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and is cause for dismissal.
Staff and volunteers will respect children’s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. A child’s right to say “No” is to be encouraged and respected. Other than diapering, children are not to be touched in areas of their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit.
Staff and volunteers will use appropriate touch including pats on the back or shoulder, side hugs, handshakes, and high fives. Staff and volunteers will refrain from full frontal hugging, touching of personal areas, or patting of the buttocks.
Staff and volunteers will use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism.
Staff and volunteers will not give gifts or special favors to individual children or show preferential treatment to a child or group of children to the exclusion of others.
Staff and volunteers will not have private interactions through social media, computer, or handheld devices with any children in the program.
Staff and volunteers will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual identity, or culture.
Staff and volunteers will refrain from intimate displays of affection towards others.
Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours is prohibited.
Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited.
Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life, and any kind of harassment is prohibited.
Staff may not be alone with children they meet in TACT programs outside of TACT events or the Community Arts Center. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, and inviting children to their home. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to administrator approval.
Staff are not to transport children in their own vehicles.
Staff may not date program participants under 18 years of age.
Under no circumstance should staff release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written parent authorization on file.
Staff and volunteers are required to report any suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities and are required to read and sign all policies relating to identifying documenting and reporting child abuse. Staff and volunteers are required to attend prevention training.
Staff and volunteers are required to review and sign this Code of Conduct annually with their immediate supervisor.
