Grab a cuppa and enjoy the latest version of PROTECT!
I think we can all agree that being a teenager is hard.
Young people these days have to live through peer pressure, wacky hormones, and social media... not to mention a global pandemic. I remember being a high schooler and feeling so alone in the world, as I tried to figure out who I was and where I belonged. Parents and youth leaders definitely have a difficult task ahead. In our most recent issue of PROTECT we are exploring the idea of empowering youth, with the hope that we can empower you, as you work with them.
We’ve packed this issue full of resources and articles for parents and those who work with young people. Our desire was to answer some of those tough questions like Vaping: Should you Be Worried? (Page 15) and what Dangerous Games and Youth Activities should you be aware of (Page 7)? We recognize that as a parent or youth leader you go through hard things with your kids. For that reason, we’ve included an article I wrote on self-harm, entitled My Struggles with Self-Injury (Page 19). We also know that many of your organizations are using youth volunteers and staff, and we want to help! Check out Empowering and Equipping Youth to Serve by Melodie Bissell (Page 9). We also recommend checking out our PROTECT Recognizes article on page 5, PROTECT RECOGNIZES Richmond Promise, to see how this organization is working hard to protect vulnerable individuals. 
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce the brand new, revised Plan to Protect manual. You can check out the announcement and find more details about the updates and changes on page 23. Indeed, being a teen is hard, but having loving, supportive youth leaders, mentors, coaches, teachers and parents makes a huge difference. We can be there for a young person who is struggling. 
-Tori Bissell, Editor and Contributing Author

P.S. Thank you for doing your part. We hope this issue of PROTECT helps make your job a bit easier too.
Soon to be hot off the press. Reserve your copy today!
Set aside April 22nd for
the launch of our newest version of the manual. 

This manual will provide you updated content from our previous manual but so much more including updated case studies, general policy and procedures statements for the whole church, power differentials, sexual harassment, clergy misconduct, progressive steps of discipline, spiritual abuse, new immigrant settlement, visitation, documentation management, and dealing with offenders. Melodie has also included some of her learnings from her doctoral thesis into the manual elevating the voice of the victim in the manual. 
A complimentary copy of the manual will be sent to
all members of Plan to Protect®. To confirm your status
as a member, call 1-877-455-3555 ext. 10.
SRP of the manual is $79.99 plus tax and shipping. 

Plan to Protect: A Guide for Camps, Schools, Sporting Leagues and Daycares Safeguarding Children, Youth and Adults will be published later in 2022.
Blog: Check your responses,
are you victim blaming?
Victims often stay silent about their abuse. They may fear they will not be believed, or fear further abuse from the offender. Too often we hear that the blame for the abuse is placed on the victim rather than the offender.

Statements like these falls under the term victim-blaming:

  • “She was flirting with him!”
  • “He is known to be a liar.”
  • “What was she thinking would happen if she dressed that way?”
  • “He has chosen an alternative lifestyle and brought it on himself!”

We want to strongly caution you against approaching any reports or concerns of abuse from that perspective. Instead, we encourage you to appoint an individual to be responsible for receiving reports that will advocate for transparency and truth and also to be an advocate for the victim... Read More
Check out Our Training in February!
February 15, 2022
12:30pm-1:00pm Eastern Time

This is a complimentary webinar. Register to participate LIVE with Q&A time, or to receive access to an instant replay.

for details and registration.
February 17, 2022
2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern Time

A one-hour seminar designed to raise the awareness of Elder Abuse. During this community event, we will learn what Elder Abuse is, how to recognize and respond to it, and valuable strategies to prevent Elder Abuse from happening. Everyone is welcome! Let's plan to protect!

for details and registration.
Special Interest: Deeper Dive into Bullying in Honour of Anti-Bullying Day
February 23, 2022
12:00pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time
In honour of Anti-Bullying Day, Cheryl Smith-Debanne will be our guest speaker and examine the prevalence and impact of bullying and consider what policies should be put into place to help address common areas of bullying and harassment. We will look at recommended policies for responding to bullying and harassment on the playground, in the church, the workplace, and online. We will unpack what it means to have zero tolerance for bullying. Every organization should take proactive steps to prevent bullying and harassment, and they should be well prepared to respond appropriately when it occurs. We will also highlight some of the great agencies that are working to combat bullying and ways to help promote respect, dignity, and personal value.

Cheryl Smith Debanne works as a Spiritual Animator for a school district in Quebec.
February 24, 2022
8:00pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time

This webinar is great for individuals and groups who need to be refreshed in Plan to Protect® policies and procedures.

for details and registration.
February 26, 2022
1:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time

Join us for this 2 hour orientation training covering awareness of abuse and so much more!

for details and registration.
You are missing so much by
not being a member!
If you receive this version of the newsletter that means you are not a member of Plan to Protect®.
Did you know our members will receive our new manual, Plan to Protect® A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults? This is a $80 value. On top of that, our members receive customer service support through email or phone calls. That includes questions about Plan to Protect, implementation, screening, training, documentation management, and reporting & response. 
Our membership benefits just got better. Memberships start as low as $225 per year. The value far exceeds the cost. 

February Special!
We are sharing the love in February. 
If you purchase a Basic Membership during February, you will receive a 25% discount on our Administrator/Leader Certification Course. This professional development course is the foundational course for those responsible for implementing safeguarding within their organizations.

In five modules you will gain knowledge in:
  • What is meant by abuse?
  • What is the standard of care for safeguarding in 2022?
  • Insurance requirements to qualify for abuse coverage
  • How to implement and maintain safeguarding within your organization?
  • How to receive and respond to allegations, disclosures, and suspicions of abuse?
  • How to customize a Plan to Protect® policy for your organization (a template will be provided)?
  • Ten steps of screening
  • Tips to manage and retain documentation

This is a $100 savings. 

Discount code expires February 28, 2022. Once you register for the course you will have six months to activate the course, and 12 weeks to complete the course. No other discounts apply.