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Child Protection Policy

Child protection is at the core of the Long Covid Families mission and we are fully committed to child protection as set forth in the following policy. 

Long Covid Families staff, volunteers, and partners who come into contact with children during delivery of programs are in a position of trust and authority and should always act in the best interest of the children and families for whom we advocate, avoiding any actions or conduct which may constitute harmful practice or potentially abusive behavior. While Long Covid Families has limited to no direct programming for children, our advocacy is deeply rooted in advocating for protections for and the rights of children experiencing Long Covid and the families and caregivers who are caring for them. Within the course of this advocacy, from time to time, children, families, and caregivers may choose to volunteer to share patient stories or artwork, agree to media interviews, or share information. These are situations, when supported by Long Covid Families, that require the utmost care and protection from Long Covid Families.

Child Protection Policy Statement 

Long Covid Families is committed to protecting the rights and well-being of all people in the communities in which we work requiring care, ancillary considerations and augmented protections.  

Long Covid Families directs special care in considering the unique vulnerabilities of children, adolescents, young people, pregnant people, research participants, people living with Long Covid and people at risk of Long Covid. This policy statement applies to the protection of children.

All Long Covid Families employees, directors, consultants, volunteers and donors will be informed of Long Covid Families’ child protection policy and that compliance is required. Any breach is treated with the utmost seriousness and will be investigated and dealt with accordingly. 

Child protection awareness will be included at all stages of Long Covid Families operations, including the hiring, orientation and training of all employees, directors, consultants and volunteers who will come into contact with children.

Long Covid Families will ensure that all Long Covid Families employees, directors, consultants and volunteers have read the child protection policy. All employees, directors, and consultants will be required to sign an acknowledgement that they have both read the policies and will comply with the requirements. Any changes made to the policies will be communicated immediately. 

Scope 

This policy applies to all Long Covid Families employees, directors, contractors, board members, consultants and volunteers working with Long Covid Families.  This policy also applies to any contracts Long Covid Families is a party to.

Principles and Values

Long Covid Families adopts the following guiding principles as a basis for its child protection policy: 
  •   Zero tolerance of child exploitation and abuse: Long Covid Families will not tolerate child exploitation and abuse. Through enactment of this policy, we endeavor to reduce the risk of child exploitation and abuse associated with delivering program activities. We will not knowingly engage — directly or indirectly — anyone who poses an unacceptable risk to children and will, to the extent of the law and policy, discipline those who exploit or abuse children in the course of delivery of our programs.

  •   Recognition of the best interests of children: Some children, such as children living in poverty or areas impacted by disasters, are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Long Covid Families will ensure anyone who works with children is aware of these vulnerabilities and makes every effort to keep the best interests of children at the forefront of their work. 

  •   Sharing responsibility for child protection: Long Covid Families will work with partners, consultants and subgrantees to effectively manage risks to children. 

  •   Risk management approach: Long Covid Families will assess risks in its programs and, through implementation of and compliance with this policy, work to manage those risks.

  •   Maintaining and protecting confidentiality of children’s personal information, including health, identity, and family.  This means that Long Covid Families has no tolerance for sharing such information without express permission and expressly prohibits sharing such information through social media or any other similar platform without express written permission from the Director and the family. 

Code of Conduct 

Employees and directors of Long Covid Families as well as consultants and volunteers working with Long Covid Families will comply with the following code of conduct as related to child protection: 
  •   Treat children with respect regardless of race; color; sex; language; religion; political or other opinion; national, ethnic or social origin; property; disability; birth or other status

  •   Use every opportunity to advocate for the rights and protections of children – at school, in the medical system, with caregivers

  •   Do not use language or behavior towards children that is inappropriate, harassing, abusive, sexually provocative, demeaning or culturally inappropriate

  •   Do not engage children in any form of exploitative acts, including sharing their personal information without consent

  •   Do not use physical punishment with children or discipline them in any other manner

  •   Prioritize supporting families in supporting their children

  •   Keep confidential any information pertaining to children, including their identity unless written permission is granted from the parent/guardian or Director.
 All individuals associated with Long Covid Families, including  employees, directors, contractors, board members, consultants and volunteers  Child protection is at the core of the Long Covid Families mission. Our advocacy is deeply rooted in advocating for protections for and the rights of children experiencing Long Covid and the families and caregivers who are caring for them. This policy outlines Long Covid Families’ commitments and responsibilities for child protection within our work.

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Long Covid Families is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN #87-4017934