C&MA  2007 International Ministries Handbook: APPENDIX 1
ADVOCACY NETWORK FOR MISSIONARY CHILDREN

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Advocacy Network is to help promote protection and care of missionary children in overseas schools. Through the Network, the accountability of schools for the nurture and well-being of their students is enhanced. Should there be deterioration or lapses in this, the Network assists in providing a mechanism for advocating appropriate corrective measures. It also may serve as a channel for the expression of sensitive concerns related to the care of missionary children and then process those concerns in a helpful way.
2. Scope. Inasmuch as the C&MA has no MK schools of its own, its leaders promote the implementation of the Advocacy Network in schools used by C&MA missionaries.
3. Structure. The Network is composed of a minimum of two trained adults for each school where there are C&MA MKs attending.
   1. Staff Person at School. The RD requests that the school appoint a staff person to serve as an MK advocate for a specified term of service, and that the name of the person and length of the appointment be communicated in writing. The RD forwards this information to the respective C&MA regional educational consultant (REC).
   2. Accessible C&MA Employee. Whenever possible, the second person is a C&MA employee, preferably not the same gender as the staff person appointed by the school, and is accessible to the school’s staff and students by e-mail, telephone, and occasional visits. This person is selected and appointed for a period of one to four years by the respective RD, in consultation with the REC and FLT in the country where the school is located.
4. Advocates.
   1. Criteria. The criteria for serving as an advocate are:
      1. Well-known, well-trusted, and highly respected by the students and school community.
      2. Open and accessible.
      3. Capable of keeping confidences.
      4. Warm and nurturing.
   2. Training. Talking About Touching curricula is suggested for use in training advocates. Designed by professional educators and recommended by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), this material equips advocates to:
      1. Teach effectively the Talking about Touching curricula to students from kindergarten through grade nine.
      2. Train others to teach the curricula.
      3. Equip others to identify and report incidents in which the quality of care and protection of children is compromised or violated.
      4. Provide sensitive, ongoing response and support to an abused child.
      5. Handle conflict and difficult questions related to a child’s personal safety.
      6. Customize an implementation plan.
   3. Responsibilities. Once trained, the advocates’ responsibilities are to:
      1. Ensure that the Talking About Touching curricula or a similar alternative is taught to all C&MA students in kindergarten through grade nine.
      2. Train others to teach the curricula as requested and/or needed.
      3. Adapt the curricula for use with senior high students as requested.
      4. Work to develop understanding and discretion so false accusations related to the mistreatment of children (see Appendix 4) do not needlessly damage the reputations of others.
         e. Report to the respective RD allegations of mistreatment of C&MA MKs (see Appendix 4).
5. Reporting Procedures. These procedures are followed by advocates when there is evidence abuse may have occurred.
   1. Allegations against a C&MA employee or a C&MA employee’s immediate family member. All allegations in this category are processed according to the procedures outlined in the C&MA disciplinary procedures (see page M-1).
   2. Allegations against a non-C&MA employee. All allegations in this category are processed according to the procedures outlined in the policy manual of the school at which the abuse allegedly occurred. If C&MA students or personnel are involved, a full written report of the proceedings is promptly submitted to the respective RD.
6. Alternate Reporting Option. If individuals want to report inappropriate incidents related to the care of children directly to a C&MA officer, they may do so. The VP/IM is designated to receive and process reports of this nature. If more discreet, confidential reporting is preferred, individuals may send an e-mail to info@cmalliance.org.
7. Implementation. By taking the following steps, the C&MA intends to promote the implementation of the Advocacy Network in all overseas schools attended by children of C&MA missionaries.
   1. Several C&MA personnel have received Talking About Touching training and are available to help train others. The names and contact information for these individuals are available from IM. Talking About Touching training is offered through the Committee for Children based in Seattle, Wash. (phone: 800-634-4449; email: info@cfchildren.org; Web site: www.cfchildren.org).
   2. A letter from the VP/IM explaining the Advocacy Network and how it is implemented and functions is sent to any school where C&MA missionaries send their children. The letter may also come from the respective REC.
   3. Each boarding school used by C&MA families names one staff person to serve as a member of the Network. The school is responsible to make sure this staff person receives Talking about Touching or similar training. The C&MA considers requests from these schools for assistance in assuring training.
   4. In consultation with the respective RD and FLT and using the criteria list above, the REC assigned to work with the country where a school is located selects and appoints a person who is not part of the school’s staff. The designated person is trained either by the school or through the C&MA.
   5. Each boarding school used by C&MA families produces and sends to all C&MA students and their families a letter explaining the purpose and function of the Network (suggested template for letter available from IM), with copies sent to the respective RD and REC. Also included are the names and contact information of the two advocates.
   6. The development, implementation, and maintenance of the Network at a given school is the responsibility of the respective REC. Each REC reports to the RD who, along with the VP/IM, is responsible to assure the quality coordination of the Network worldwide.
   7. Each mission participating in the Network is responsible to develop its own protocol for reporting and responding within its structure. There are only two circumstances when the C&MA would take initiative in relation to students or boarding school personnel of other mission agencies. The first would be in cases of established complaints or concerns related to children from other mission agencies who are attending a boarding school. The second would be in cases of established complaints or concerns about mistreatment of a C&MA student by someone (a child or an adult) associated with another mission agency, or allega-tions by someone from another mission agency against any C&MA boarding school staff members or students.
   8. At the discretion of the FD, RD, or VP/IM, the C&MA Sensitive Issues Consultative Group may be contacted according to the IM policy and practice related to this. Such action brings to bear professional Christian expertise on any overseas situation of a sensitive nature having to do with abuse issues of any form.
   9. Any trained member of the Advocacy Network has the option of direct access to the C&MA Board of Managers through the chairperson of the IM subcommittee, or through the corporate secretary of the C&MA. The contact information for these persons is available from an RD or the VP/IM.
8. Contribution of the Association of Christian Schools International.
   As an umbrella organization for more than 100 overseas schools utilized by a wide spectrum of Christian mission agencies, ACSI evaluates schools seeking accreditation. This process includes the academic programs and the boarding programs. The C&MA is committed to approving only boarding school programs that are ACSI accredited. Beginning in 2000 the International Ministries Office of ACSI, under the leadership of Dr. Phil Renicks and Dr. David Wilcox, has agreed to build into its boarding home accreditation standards a requirement that all boarding home personnel receive Talking about Touching training. This is a necessity in order for ACSI accreditation to be maintained (either at the midterm or renewal point of the accreditation process) or granted.

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