Minor Injuries

Treat minor injuries like a paper cut or a bump with a cool cloth, ice pack and/or band-aid. When a parent arrives, please let them know what the injury was and how it was treated. A member of the GK leadership team will follow up with a parent if needed.

For larger injuries, a parent should be contacted immediately. Please text the parent to come to the GENESIS Kids space.

Serious Illness and Injury

Should a child experience something more serious (broken bone, convulsions, seizure, fainting, laceration or other serious bodily injury) the GK Volunteer should respond as follows:

• Do not move the injured child.
• Stay calm and assure the child, allow other team members to care for the rest of the children in the classroom (kids can be moved to the resource room or worship center).
• Have the GK Coordinator text the parent, and call 911 (if necessary). The teacher should return to the class and the Coordinator will take over the situation.
• Have the Nehemiah Team member outside the door communicate to the Nehemiah Team that emergency vehicles will be coming to GK.
• When the situation is managed and over, the Coordinator and Leader present for the incident should complete the incident report form at the GK Welcome Desk. This form should be completed within 24 hours of the incident.

Sensitive Information With Kids

Never agree to hold information in confidence with children. Always remind them that anything shared with you may be shared with a parent or pastor/ministry leader, should you deem it serious or necessary.

• Anyone serving with children is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse and neglect in the State of Massachusetts. If you suspect that a youth is engaging in illegal activity, is at risk (suicidal) or shares other issues that should be reported, you must speak with the GK Director and a Pastor immediately.
• Information should be kept confidential and only shared with the GK Director and Pastor.

Areas of suspected abuse/neglect that require reporting to The GK Director and Pastor:

• Physical abuse (mandated report)
• Sexual abuse (mandated report)
• Drug or alcohol abuse by a family member
• Report of outbursts of anger
• Threats of self harm or suicide
• Exposure to pornography or other explicit materials, products, or actions
• Struggles of sexual identity or exploration
• Other life struggles or hurts (parental separation, divorce or death)

A first aid kit is located at the Welcome Desk and in the GK Resource Room. Classrooms are stocked with band aids. There are disposable ice packs at the GK Welcome Desk and reusable ice packs in the GK freezer. Popsicles are also available for mouth injuries.