Monthly Newsletter
September 2020
Hurt people, hurt people!
A mother flies into a rage and seriously injures her three-year-old daughter.

A Pastor discloses that he is experiencing suicidal ideation.

A father pulls out a gun on a school principal.

A congregation member kicks down the door of his Pastor's study after hearing a sermon on race and equality.

Adult children confine their 80-year-old mother to the basement for three months.

A personal support worker attempts to suffocate an autistic child.

A teen overdoses.

Hurt people, hurt people!

How can we stop the hurt? Is it possible nine months into 2020 to say "TIME OUT"? Like a pressure cooker, we need to slowly let the steam vent.

"People who love themselves, don't hurt other people. The more we hate ourselves, the more we want others to suffer." - Dan Pierce

What we need is a good dose of wise advice to build our safety quota, otherwise, we will find ourselves at a breaking point. When we are at our breaking point, we hurt people.

A friend recently said to me, "Melodie, sometimes it just is one phrase or sentence that can make all the difference in your perspective." Our hope is that you will find what you need to strengthen your own safety quota among these words:

  1. Physically: In case of an emergency, please first put on your own oxygen mask before you put on the oxygen mask of a child. Airlines.
  2. Physically: If you do not pick a day to relax, your body will pick it for you.
  3. Emotionally & Mentally: An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly. Unknown.
  4. Relationally: Don't take criticism from people you would never go to for advice. Unknown.
  5. Relationally: Remember that children, marriages and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get. H. Jackson Brown Jr.
  6. Spiritually: Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8.


-Melodie Bissell, President and CEO at Plan to Protect®
The Latest from Our Blog
Parents Take 5 for Safety

One of the biggest decisions we have to make during our lives is whether or not we will become parents. For some, it's a no-brainer: What do you want to be when you grow up? A mommy or a daddy!

When we had children, did we ever anticipate that we would be bringing children into a COVID world and needing to protect them not only from predators, allergens, and childhood illnesses, but also pandemics?

Today, desperate parents are trying to make the decision as to how best to educate their children in a COVID world. Everyone has an opinion as to what is best for your child. Even your child has an opinion.

The options most parents are faced with are: sending their children back to daycare or school, school by internet or at home by caregivers, learning pods, or homeschooling.

The tension of making this major decision is causing parents everywhere to panic.
New This Month
Serious About Safety
Starting September 21st

In the history of Plan to Protect®, there has never been a greater need to become serious about safety. If you're ready to become serious about safety, we invite you to a one-week FREE course online in September. Join Melodie and the Plan to Protect® team starting September 21st.

Highlights:
  • It's free!
  • It is one hour a day!
  • Access to our best practices found in our certification training!
  • Bonus session on how to become Serious About Safety in the midst of a pandemic.
  • Hear testimonies from Plan to Protect® clients and members.
  • Hear from our Advisory Council members.
  • Lots of give-a-ways!
  • Learn the five steps to implementing a safe program.
  • Invite your team, your Board, your leaders, your friends.
Author Feature: Rachael Denhollander

Rachael Denhollander is an attorney, author, advocate, and educator who is recognized as a leading voice on the topic of sexual abuse.

Rachael Denhollander became known internationally in 2016 as the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against the USA Gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. As a result of her activism, over 300 women--including numerous Olympic medalists--came forward as survivors of Nassar's abuse, eventually leading to his life imprisonment.

Purchase Rachael's books on Amazon!
Plan to Protect® Promotions
Plan to Protect® with Melodie Bissell

Join Melodie Bissell and Amanda Kelly for the safest podcast on the internet, as they break down some of the most frequently asked questions about reaching that HIGHEST standard of protection.

A new episode of Plan to Protect® with Melodie Bissell is posted every Wednesday, and is available on YouTube and on the Plan to Protect Serious about Safety MasterClass on Facebook.

During the month of September, we will be covering: Staying safe online; Helping children grieve; Tips for children's programs during a pandemic; Tips for youth programs during a pandemic; Tips for caring for the elderly during a pandemic. Join us every Wednesday to listen in!
Plan to Protect® Parent

Today, desperate parents are trying to make the decision as how best to educate their children in a COVID world? Everyone has an opinion as to what is best for your child. Even your child has an opinion. 
 
You can help resource parents as they make this decision. Share these timely resources with your parents:

  • Encourage your parents to read Melodie's most recent BLOG Parents Take 5 for Safety.
  • Encourage them to subscribe to Melodie and Amanda's weekly PODCAST. The next few episodes will be focused on topics of interest to parents.
  • Encourage parents to access our Parent Resource page which has webinars, resources and tips for parents and guardians.
  • Join our Plan to Protect Parent Page on Facebook.
  • Download and share the GIF image with your parents in newsletters and on your website.
Training Highlights
Special Interest Webinar: Permission Forms

Permission forms are an important part of making sure programs are safe! Between registration forms, off-site trip forms, and transportation forms--things can get confusing! We will help to make things clear and easy in this upcoming webinar on Permission Forms!



September 16, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
($30.00+tax)
Plan to Protect® with Premise Modifications

Did you know that most insurance companies require organizations to do premise modifications in order to qualify for abuse coverage? New building? Returning to program following COVID-19? You’ll learn how to adapt your building plans for safety. Old Building? You’ll learn how to modify your building when you can’t build something new.

September 24, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
(Free)
FAQ: Small Groups & Off-Site
Q: How does Plan to Protect® affect small group settings that meet in homes or off-site property?

A: Precautions should be taken for all meetings, including those that are small group events taking place in a house setting. Screen and train any and all individuals that will be caring for the vulnerable sector as part of your programming and strive to create an atmosphere of accountability through compliance policies. It is wise to remember that often, these settings are where abuse can easily happen.

During COVID-19, it is wise to notify people in advance what your expectations are for following government guidelines regarding numbers within a group inside and outside a building, wearing a mask, sanitizing, and maintaining a distance of two meters or 6 feet.
What's New with Plan to Protect®?
What's been keeping us busy during COVID-19?

We are so grateful for the Canadian Government that has provided us a wage subsidy, a small business loan, and a grant to help us address the issue of Elder Abuse. We are grateful for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Resiliency Grant which we were awarded in the amount of $10,000. These grants and subsidies have enabled us to work at full capacity. Along with our regular activities, during this time, we have:

  • Drafted and distributed over 1,000 policy statements on Online Engagement
  • Drafted and distributed a policy statement on Transitioning from a Pandemic
  • Provided 50 hours of training on Transitioning from a Pandemic
  • Developed online training for MSC Canada (for 600 workers internationally)
  • Held our first Serious About Safety Masterclass (if you missed the first one, don't miss the next one starting September 21st)
  • Launched our weekly Podcast
  • Launched our Plan to Protect® Parent Facebook page
  • Translated the Plan to Protect® Manual into Spanish
  • Made great headway updating our 2021 Edition of the Plan to Protect® Manual

We love to hear from you and support your efforts!