CYRE BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES

The Children, Youth, and Religious Education (CYRE) program is grounded in restorative justice and the creation of Beloved Community. We seek to foster positive relationships through assumed positive intent and to recognize children and youth as valued members of our community whose dignity, identity, and well-being deserve respect and care.

Adults working with children and youth are expected to create environments that are anti-bias, queer-inclusive, and neurodivergent-affirming. Teachers and volunteers should model compassion, accountability, and respect so children experience CYRE as a place of joy, safety, belonging, and connection.

Proactive Behavior Support

Prevention and relationship-building are the primary tools for behavior management. Teachers and volunteers should use supportive, low-interruption strategies before behavior escalates.

Adults should:

State expectations clearly and positively.
Provide encouragement and active support.
Reduce unnecessary conflict, crowding, and overstimulation.
Model warmth, patience, flexibility, and respect.

Inclusive Communication

Adults will use inclusive and affirming language with children and families.

Teachers and volunteers should:

Use inclusive group and family language.
Respect each person’s stated name and pronouns.
Avoid assumptions about identity, culture, or family structure.
Validate children’s emotions while supporting communication and self-regulation skills.

Adults should avoid dismissive responses or sharing graphic or developmentally inappropriate information.

Redirection and Conflict Support

Teachers and volunteers are encouraged to redirect behavior calmly, respectfully, and promptly. Redirection should include a constructive alternative and support children in resolving conflict appropriately.

Responding to Conflict and Disruptive Behavior

When preventative and restorative approaches are not successful, the following tiered response system may be used:

Step 1: Sensory Break

A child may take a brief break in the classroom before rejoining the group with teacher support.

Step 2: Parent or Caregiver Supervision

If a child is unable to safely participate, a parent or caregiver may be asked to supervise the child for the remainder of the activity.

Step 3: Exclusion from Activities

Temporary or long-term exclusion may occur in cases of dangerous, highly disruptive, or repeatedly harmful behavior. Decisions will be made by CYRE staff in consultation with program leadership and caregivers.

UUA YOUTH GUIDELINES

Prior to attendance at UUA youth events, all participants must disclose any child welfare agency investigation or any criminal or juvenile delinquency arrests, charges, convictions including those involving abuse, violence, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, child abuse, driving while intoxicated or under the influence, firearms or dangerous weapons or similar matters. UUA may deny or limit a youth participant based on any of these disclosures.

Each youth and adult participant must agree to the event rules/expectations, which must be presented at the beginning of each event. These rules/expectations may be specific to the event, but must include the following:

No violence, weapons or dangerous items—This includes physical violence, verbal threats or harassment, or possession of weapons or explosives such as fireworks.
Respect property/No vandalism—respect local facilities and the community’s possessions, and no theft.
No drugs, alcohol, cannabis, or illegal substances—this includes requirement to use medication as prescribed, and turn prescription medication over to an adult if required for that event.
No smoking, vaping, or use of nicotine/tobacco products. Participants with nicotine addictions are invited to discuss medical management with UUA staff responsible for the event ahead of time.
No harassment on the basis of gender and sexual orientation, race, national origin, religion, disability or any other protected status.
No sexualized conduct or sexual activity, including open mouth and/or prolonged kissing. In general, includes any touch meant to arouse, sharing sexually explicit material such as videos, apps or games.
No unwanted, uninvited touch—only a clearly expressed “yes” means yes—e.g. ask before hugging.
No leaving the event location without proper permission—what constitutes permission may vary by event but must require permission by the adult responsible for supervising the youth.
Rule of Three—All excursions off-site must include a minimum of three, multigenerational participants. No youth or adults are to ever be alone in a closed space with another youth participant.