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Policy

The security and safety of children, families and staff require that any person defined as a Volunteer, participating in Head Start activities during operational periods meet certain criteria, including orientation and training.

Volunteer opportunities exist primarily in the classroom and child centered activities with limited opportunities for family service, administrative and operational activities.  

Other individuals who visit the program classrooms and/or administrative offices must have prior management approval to do so. Volunteers and Visitors are not allowed to have unsupervised contact with children in the program (see definition below for details) and must report to the classroom lead. All volunteers, visitors and guests must wear a badge either from the agency they represent or provided by the classroom. 

Definitions

Volunteer

  1. Any non staff individual 18 years or older (including parents /guardians of program children) who intends to perform duties for the program.
  2. Volunteers, including Practicum students are not replacements for staff, they may not be counted as part of the staff to student ratio,
  3. Must have management approval, and have had a volunteer orientation prior to placement.
  4. Volunteer nursing interns are used to support the Health Consultant in child development screenings.

Health Interns Volunteer

  1. Nursing and dental students (Health Interns) are recruited by the Health/Safety Consultant.
  2. Health Interns are assigned location and duties by the Health/Safety Consultant.
  3. Health Interns are supervised by the Health/Safety Consultant

High School Volunteer

  1. High School Volunteers are taking a class in early childhood class. 
  2. High School Volunteers will work through the High School Teacher and Program Special Projects Manager to secure placement.
  3. High School Volunteers must have manager approval and complete required paperwork.

SEEKERS Volunteer

  1. SEEKER volunteers are placed in the classroom as part of the SEEKER course requirement.
    1. SEEKERS are assigned to Mentor Teachers
    2. SEEKERS are supervised by the SEEKER Specialist
    3. When possible SEEKERS are not assigned to their child’s class.
  2. SEEKERS volunteers will complete a Central Background Registry (CBR)

Visitors/Guests

  1. Program parents/guardians, who do not meet the definition of Volunteer, will not perform program duties and need to be with their own child. They may visit locations/classrooms where their child/children currently are in attendance.
  2. Community Visitors who do not meet the definition of Volunteer may visit sites and classrooms for limited times (less than four hours per year) with management/supervisory approval. They must always be under the direct supervision of a HSOLC staff person. They will not perform program duties nor have unsupervised contact with any child. Examples would be a student observer or a presenter, story teller etc.
  3. Staff workers for staff and volunteers.

Procedure

  1. Volunteers are directed to the Volunteer Coordinator to start the placement process.
  2. The Volunteer Coordinator secures placement and notifies the Volunteer.
  3. A volunteer orientation checklist will be used, and signed by the Volunteer to indicate two orientations were completed.  
    1. Orientation 1 is the Administration orientation where the program goals, philosophy and expectations are shared.  
    2. Obtain signature on: 
      1. Contact Information 
      2. Code of Conduct and Confidentiality
      3. Declaration of no past or pending criminal charges involving children
    3. Orientation 2 is at the site level where the details about access and classroom expectations are shared.
    4. SEEKERS Volunteers are placed by the SEEKERS Specialist. A mentor teacher will be assigned to SEEKERS Volunteers. 
  4. Volunteer timecards will be given to the finance office monthly to track in-kind contribution.  
  5. Volunteers, visitors and guests not following the policy may be asked to leave by staff.  

This policy complies with Head Start Performance Standard 1302.94, and Oregon Childcare Licensing.

Policy Council approved April 10, 2012,. September 2012

Updated: December 2020. August 2022. August 2023. November 2024

© Head Start of Lane County. All rights reserved.

REVIEWED: December 2020. August 2022. August 2023. October 2024