ADMIN: Volunteers / Visitors

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.

The Agency is taking certain measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while complying with all current federal, state, and local orders regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols (vaccinations, facial coverings, physical distancing, etc.). Head Start is requiring all volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be placed as a classroom volunteer.

Volunteer opportunities exist primarily in the classroom and child centered activities. Administration placement is reserved for employees on a limited work release.

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)

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

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 Advisor
   3. When possible SEEKERS are not assigned to their child’s class.
2. SEEKER 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.

1. A volunteer application is completed and given to the Volunteer Coordinator.
2. The Volunteer Coordinator contacts Regional Managers (RM) to secure placement.
3. The Volunteer Coordinator contacts volunteer to schedule the first of two orientations:
   1. Orientation 1 is the Administration portion where the program goals, philosophy and expectations are shared.
      1. The volunteer handbook and checklist are given to the volunteer
      2. Forms (health, confidentiality, child abuse reporting, criminal disclosure) are signed and kept with Volunteer Coordinator.
   2. Orientation 2 is at the site level where volunteers learn site specific information (parking, access, rules, routines, etc.)
      1. The Volunteer Coordinator informs RM that Orientation #1 is complete.
         1. Volunteer Coordinator sends RM the contact information page from the Volunteer pack.
      2. RM or designated person schedules Orientation #2.
         1. Signed checklist is returned to Volunteer Coordinator and placed in Volunteer’s personnel file.
4. Volunteer will complete a monthly volunteer timecard to record in-kind hours.
   1. Volunteer timecards are forwarded to the Volunteer Coordinator.
   2. Volunteer in-kind time is recorded at $16.31 per hour.

This policy complies with Head Start Performance Standard 1302.94

Policy Council approved April 10, 2012,. September 2012

Updated: December 2020. August 2022

© Head Start of Lane County. All rights reserved.

REVIEWED: December 2020. August 2022