Rising Lights Safety & Conduct Policy

Protecting Participants, Families, Volunteers, and Staff

1. Purpose

Rising Lights is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants, families, volunteers, and staff. Safety is our highest priority. This policy outlines expectations for behavior, supervision, and participation in all Rising Lights programs.

2. Safety Expectations

All participants must be able to engage in Rising Lights programs without posing a safety risk to themselves, peers, volunteers, or staff. This includes:

• Respecting personal space

• Following staff directions

• Maintaining behavior that does not cause harm or fear

• Participating in activities without repeated disruption

3. Zero‑Tolerance for Physical Aggression

Rising Lights has a zero‑tolerance policy for physical aggression, including but not limited to:

• Hitting

• Kicking

• Throwing objects at others

• Spitting

• Spraying substances on others

• Biting

• Any behavior that causes physical harm or threatens safety

Any incident of physical aggression may result in immediate removal from the program for the day and may lead to termination of participation.

4. Disruptive or Unsafe Behavior

Behaviors that significantly disrupt programming or create unsafe conditions may also result in removal or termination, including:

• Repeated refusal to follow staff directions

• Behavior that causes emotional distress to peers

• Property destruction

• Elopement (leaving the program area without permission)

• Actions that require staff to divert attention from the group for extended periods

5. Staff Authority

Rising Lights staff have full authority to:

• Redirect behavior

• Modify activities for safety

• Remove a participant from an activity

• Contact families for early pick‑up

• Determine whether a participant can safely continue in the program

These decisions are made in real time to protect the entire group.

6. Incident Response

If a safety incident occurs:

1. Staff will intervene immediately.

2. The participant may be removed from the activity or program for the day.

3. Families will be notified as soon as possible.

4. A written incident report will be completed.

5. Rising Lights leadership will review the incident and determine next steps.

7. Termination of Participation

Rising Lights reserves the right to terminate participation at any time if:

• A participant’s behavior poses a safety risk

• Incidents of aggression or unsafe behavior continue

• The participant’s needs exceed what Rising Lights can safely support

• The participant’s behavior disrupts programming to the extent that others cannot participate

This decision is final and made to protect the safety and wellbeing of the entire community.

8. Communication with Families

Rising Lights is committed to clear, respectful communication. Families will be informed of:

• Safety incidents

• Concerns about behavior

• Decisions regarding removal or termination

However, Rising Lights will not debate or negotiate safety decisions once they are made.

9. Rights & Responsibilities

Rising Lights Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, inclusive environment

• Train staff and volunteers in safety procedures

• Communicate concerns promptly

• Document incidents clearly

Family Responsibilities

• Ensure participants arrive ready to engage safely

• Communicate relevant behavioral or medical information

• Support Rising Lights’ safety decisions

• Follow pick‑up procedures when contacted

10. Acknowledgment

Participation in Rising Lights programs requires agreement to this Safety & Conduct Policy. Families acknowledge that Rising Lights may remove or terminate a participant at any time if safety is compromised.