Reach Out America Safeguarding / Protection Policy Effective October 27, 2026

Reach Out America International, Inc. ("Reach Out America," "ROA," "we," "us") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit disaster-relief organization (EIN 76-0494578) at 1108 Soldiers Field Court, Suite 800, Sugar Land, TX 77479. People affected by disasters are often at their most vulnerable. We are committed to keeping everyone we serve and everyone who serves with us safe from abuse, exploitation, and harm.

Purpose

This policy sets out how ROA protects children, vulnerable adults, disaster survivors, volunteers, and staff, and how to report concerns.

Who this policy covers

This policy applies to ROA Board members, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, and partner church teams serving under ROA, at deployment sites, warehouses, offices, events, and online.

Our commitment

Everyone has the right to be safe and treated with dignity, regardless of age, background, faith, or circumstances.
ROA has zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, harassment, or exploitation of any kind, including physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse.
Relief is never conditioned on anything in return. No one may request money, favors, sexual activity, or religious participation in exchange for help.

Key rules

Screening. Staff and volunteers in roles that involve unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults are screened before serving, which may include an application, references, and a criminal background check.
Training. Leaders and volunteers receive basic safeguarding guidance, including how to recognize and report concerns.
Two-adult rule. Adults should not be alone with a child or vulnerable adult who is not their own family member. Interactions should take place in open, visible settings.
Minors who volunteer. Volunteers under 18 serve only with a parent, guardian, or approved adult supervisor and with written permission.
Respectful conduct. No physical, verbal, or emotional mistreatment; no inappropriate touching, language, or jokes; no drugs or alcohol while serving.
Communication and photos. No private one-on-one messaging with minors. Photos or videos of survivors, especially children, are taken and shared only with permission and in a way that protects their dignity and privacy.
Safe working conditions. Volunteers follow site safety instructions, use required protective equipment, and are not asked to do work beyond their training or ability.

How to report a concern

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

Report any concern, suspicion, or disclosure of abuse or unsafe conduct as soon as possible to your deployment leader, the President, the Board Chair, or Mark.johnson@reachoutamerica.org, or by phone at (574) 214-9477. If the concern involves the President, report directly to the Board Chair.

Where the law requires it, suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult must also be reported to law enforcement or the appropriate child or adult protective services agency. ROA will support anyone making such a report. Do not investigate on your own or confront the person involved.

How concerns are handled

ROA takes every report seriously. We will act promptly to protect the person at risk, which may include removing the person accused from all ROA activities while the matter is reviewed. We cooperate fully with law enforcement and protective agencies. Information is kept confidential to the extent practicable and shared only with those who need it to keep people safe or as required by law.

No retaliation

ROA will not retaliate against anyone who raises a safeguarding concern in good faith. See also our Whistleblower Policy (https://www.reachoutamerica.org/whistleblower).

Enforcement and Board role

The Board of Directors oversees this policy, and the President is responsible for carrying it out. Anyone who violates this policy will face corrective action, up to and including permanent removal from ROA service, ending employment or partnership, and referral to authorities.

Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date above shows when it was last changed.

Reach Out America International, Inc. 1108 Soldiers Field Court, Suite 800, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Email: Mark.johnson@reachoutamerica.org · Phone: (574) 214-9477