A legal disclaimer

Diversity + Inclusion

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7 Pillars of Inclusion

• Access

• Attitude

• Choice

• Partnership

• Communication

• Policy

• Opportunities 

SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc. has a very diverse network. Our network is comprised of people of all walks of life and includes everyone regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality or disability. We find commonalities although we appreciate differences.

We use the 7 Pillars of Inclusion as our guideline. The 7 Pillars of Inclusion provides us with consistent approach for real action...more than just holding inclusion as a sentiment.

Our network is diverse but we directly target the marginalized Black community to benefit while equally welcoming anyone who wants to participate providing equal access to the same opportunities. We strive to

bridge the gap and drive progress towards SDG 10.

Child Protection Policy

SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc. Child Protection Policy

Purpose Statement: ​

SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc. seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children who participate in our programs and activities. By implementing this policy, our goals are to protect the children participating in our organization from any harm and provide a clear path of response for staff, our Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, partners, and volunteers in the event of suspected abuse or neglect. 

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Provide a Safe Environment and Adequate Supervision of Children:

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SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc. seeks to provide a safe environment and adequate supervision of children by implementing the following: 

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➢ Adequate supervision and accountability 

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At minimum, two approved staff or volunteers must be present with the children during programs and activities, and remain present until all children are back with their parent/guardian. At least one staff or volunteer must be an adult (age 18 or older). 

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➢ Check-In/Check-Out: 

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➢ Nursery (birth – 2 years) 

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▪ Babies brought to the nursery must be checked in by the parent or guardian, and provide any special instructions and care items needed.

▪ At check-in, identification “tags” will be provided and must be produced by the person picking up the child to verify his/her right to take the child. ➢ Preschool – age 17 

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▪ Children must be checked in by a parent or guardian 

▪ At check-in, identification “tags” will be provided and must be produced by the person picking up the child to verify his/her right to take the child. 

▪ Preschool children will be given name tags which will also identify any allergies they may have. 

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➢ Discipline 

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No physical discipline (hitting, slapping) may be used. When a child misbehaves, an adult may use redirection and/or verbal means to guide the child’s behavior. 

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➢ Physical touch

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Be sensitive to the way children interpret physical contact. All physical contact should be gentle and appropriate. Children have the right to refuse physical contact. 

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➢ Diapering and Bathroom Help 

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o Diapers should be checked once per hour and done at the diapering stations. Never leave a child unattended on the changing table. Wipe down the changing pad after each change with disinfectant wipes. o Bathroom help: Children who use the bathroom must be accompanied by an adult. The adult should make sure the restrooms are unoccupied by non-participants before allowing children in the restroom and then remain outside the door. If the child requests help or the parent has noted that the child needs help, leave the door open and assist him or her. 

➢ Snacks and food allergies 

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Due to severe food allergies, all events are NUT FREE ZONES. Please be sure to check package labels on all snacks to ensure that they are not labeled as “contain”, “may contain” or “manufactured in a facility that also processes” any type of nut or nut oil. 

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➢ Accidents, First Aid and Incident Reporting 

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All adult staff and volunteers are allowed to administer minor first aid to injuries such as small cuts, bumps, and bruises. Always use gloves when dealing with blood. In case of a more serious injury, deal with the immediate need (i.e. apply pressure to stop the bleeding) and then contact 911 and your supervisor/lead as appropriate to assist. Any time a child is hurt, an accident/injury report needs to be filled out. 

➢ Breaks for Staff and Volunteers 

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Sometimes interactions with children can become very frustrating. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are getting very angry with a child or a class, take a break. Contact your supervisor/leader and ask for a break or ask another classroom to combine classes while you take a break. Ensure you are calm and no longer angry before returning to the children. 

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Recognize Suspected Child Abuse: 

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The Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) lays out the following categories of abuse. Staff and volunteers are required by law to report suspected child abuse if they are a mandated reporter. Under the current PA CPSL, most employees and volunteers who work with children are mandated reporters. 

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Categories of Child Abuse: 

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➢ Bodily Injury ➢ Serious Mental Injury ➢ Sexual abuse or exploitation ➢ Serious physical neglect ➢ Likelihood of bodily injury or sexual abuse ➢ Medical child abuse (also known as Munchausen by Proxy) ➢ Per se definitions: 

o Physical violence that endangers the child o Restraining or confining the child o Shaking a child under one year old o Striking a child under one year old o Interfering with the breathing of a child o Having child present at a meth lab o Leaving the child in the care of a sexual offender ➢ Engaging a child in a severe form of trafficking in persons or sex trafficking (includes sex and labor trafficking) 

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SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc.  recognizes that mandated reporter training is necessary for staff and volunteers to recognize child abuse and understand how to report it. Therefore, SpeakEnglish5, SCG, Inc. will host an in-person training or online training twice a year, with the expectation that all staff and volunteers will attend one of the two trainings offered. New staff and volunteers who have never received mandated reporter training will be required to take the online training before they begin working with children, if an in-person training is not immediately available. 

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Report Suspected Child Abuse: 

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Staff and volunteers are required by law to report suspected child abuse if they are a mandated reporter. Under the current PA CPSL, most employees and volunteers who work or volunteer with children are mandated reporters. Being a mandated reporter means that if you suspect that a child is being abused, you must report it. 

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Reporting Steps:

1. If you suspect child abuse, you must immediately report it! 

a. There are two ways to report it 

i. Call PA ChildLine at 800-932-0313 ii. Make a report online (mandated reporters only) at 

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home 2. If you make a report by calling ChildLine, you must also complete and mail a Report of Suspected Child Abuse (CY47) form to the investigating agency within 48 hours (form can be found at www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov under “forms”) 3. After making the report, notify <contact person> that you have made a suspected child abuse report. 

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Selection Process: 

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All persons who desire to work/volunteer with the children participating in our programs and activities will be screened. This screening includes the following: 

Written Application

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All persons seeking to work with children must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The applications will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into previous experience with children, references, as well as disclosure of any previous criminal convictions. The application form will be maintained electronically. 

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Background Checks

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The following certifications are required: 

• Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) 

• Child Abuse History Certification from the Department of Human Services (Child Abuse) 

• A fingerprint based federal criminal history (FBI) submitted through the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent. 

This certification is NOT required if the following criteria is met: 

▪ The position the volunteer is applying for is an unpaid position; AND 

▪ The volunteer has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the entirety of the previous 10 years. o Volunteers who are not required to obtain the FBI certification because they are applying for an unpaid position and have been continuous resident of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must swear or affirm in writing that they are not disqualified from service based upon a conviction of an offense under §6344. The statement form is located <provide location>. 

Personal Interview: 

Upon completion of the application, a face-to-face interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position.