Volunteering is essential to all Head Start programs throughout the United States. Eighty percent (80%) of the program cost is federally funded. Twenty percent (20%) of program cost is required by the federal government to be locally funded through in-kind donations of goods/services and volunteer services donated to the program by parents, local businesses, community members, students, etc. The success of the program depends upon active participation of parents and others in the community. Your knowledge, time and talent can all contribute to this effort.
By volunteering, you will become acquainted with our local Head Start program, see its strengths and goals, and help staff make it a fun learning experience for all.
There are many ways that volunteers can contribute to the program. Each volunteer comes to the program with different experiences, skills, and talents. Each has a unique contribution to make.
Definition of a Volunteer:
The Head Start performance standard (1304.3(20)) defines a Volunteer as “an unpaid person who is trained to assist in implementing ongoing program activities on a regular basis under the supervision of a staff person in areas such as health, education, transportation, nutrition, and management.
Volunteer Requirements:
It is our policy that ALL volunteers sign the “Head Start Program Volunteer Form” (FCP 503), which states the rules and regulations that is required of ALL volunteers. The Volunteer Form contains a “Confidentiality Agreement” section. By signing the form, you are agreeing to keep information concerning our enrollees and employees that you may be exposed to confidential. By signing the Volunteer Form, you are also agreeing that you understand that under no circumstance is corporal punishment or inappropriate isolation acceptable. A copy of the Head Start program Corporal Punishment Policy is included in the back of this handbook. All volunteers must also complete a “Volunteer Application Form”. There are copies of the “Parent/Guardian Volunteer Application Form” and “Community Volunteer Application Form” included in this handbook.
Any suspected child abuse is to be reported immediately by our staff which are mandated reporters. A person volunteering for our program will also be expected to report suspected abuse immediately if a child tells that person of an incident or if they see signs of abuse. A copy of the policies and procedures for reporting suspected child abuse/neglect is included in this handbook. A form to sign acknowledgement of these policies and procedures is also included.
Everyone that volunteers on a REGULAR BASIS of twenty-five (25) hours or more, or INDICATES that they will be volunteering on a regular basis, is required to have a background check and a TB skin test in addition to completing the Volunteer Form, Volunteer Application, Volunteer Acknowledgment Form, and the GA Department of Human Services Authorization for Release of Information Form. A copy of the volunteer’s DRIVER’S LICENSE is also required.
After the results of the background check (form included in handbook) have been received by the Parent and Community Involvement Coordinator, the volunteer will then be sent to the health department for the TB skin test. Only when all results are in and acceptable may the volunteer begin volunteering on a regular basis. Also, if a volunteer plans to be present on a daily or regular basis, an interview session may be required with the Education Specialist or designee. These volunteers will be required to meet more stringent performance levels due to the time they will be spending in the classroom and with our enrollees. If a volunteer is completing an internship or student teaching requirements for a college or technical school, they must in addition provide proof that they have general liability and worker’s comp insurance coverage from the institution that they are interning or student teaching for. The TB skin test must also be done at the intern/student teacher’s expense. The individual may not begin their internship/student teaching until all requirements have been met.
Special groups from the community may also volunteer for the program. However, there must be an agreement that exists between these groups and the Head Start program Volunteer Program identifying the role and responsibility of management of these volunteers. Each member of the group is to sign-in on the appropriate Volunteer Sign-In sheet when they visit the centers.
