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Becoming a VolunteerBecoming a Volunteer

Volunteer ScreeningVolunteer Screening

Module 6Module 6Volunteer Development: Making the Best Better

Series

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IntroductionIntroduction

19931993– A more formal volunteer enrollment A more formal volunteer enrollment

process began which included process began which included volunteer screening as deemed volunteer screening as deemed necessarynecessary

20032003– Volunteer enrollment was expanded to Volunteer enrollment was expanded to

include required child abuse and include required child abuse and neglect and criminal record checks of neglect and criminal record checks of all individuals completing the Missouri all individuals completing the Missouri 4-H Volunteer Application Form.4-H Volunteer Application Form.

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Our Roles in the Our Roles in the Screening ProcessScreening Process

4-H Staff4-H Staff IndividualIndividual

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The 4-H RoleThe 4-H Role

Provide individuals with the Provide individuals with the Missouri Missouri 4-H Volunteer Application Form4-H Volunteer Application Form(LG636) and provide assistance in (LG636) and provide assistance in completing as necessary.completing as necessary.

Maintain confidentiality in handling Maintain confidentiality in handling private information.private information.

Provide a written response in a Provide a written response in a timely manner.timely manner.

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The Individual RoleThe Individual Role

Complete the application form Complete the application form including your complete name, including your complete name, social security number, address social security number, address and birth date.and birth date.

Disclose all requested information Disclose all requested information including prior criminal records.including prior criminal records.

Sign the form agreeing to the Sign the form agreeing to the searches and to the Youth searches and to the Youth Protection PolicyProtection Policy

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Child Abuse and Neglect Screen - Child Abuse and Neglect Screen - Missouri Department of Social Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS)Services (DSS)

Criminal Records Screen - Criminal Records Screen - VolunteerSelect VolunteerSelect

Who does the Who does the screening?screening?

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The ProcessThe Process

Volunteer Application sent to Volunteer Application sent to County OfficeCounty Office

County Office enters information County Office enters information into Blue Ribbon and sends to into Blue Ribbon and sends to State OfficeState Office

State Office sends information to State Office sends information to screening agenciesscreening agencies

Results are returned to State Results are returned to State OfficeOffice

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The ProcessThe Process (cont.)(cont.)

State office sends postcard to State office sends postcard to accepted volunteers and refers accepted volunteers and refers flagged volunteers to the County flagged volunteers to the County Office.Office.

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What’s a “Flagged” What’s a “Flagged” Volunteer?Volunteer?

A “flagged” volunteer is one whose A “flagged” volunteer is one whose information has returned from one information has returned from one of the screening agencies with of the screening agencies with some type of concern.some type of concern.– Incorrect social security number or Incorrect social security number or

namename– Probable Cause result from DSSProbable Cause result from DSS– Criminal RecordCriminal Record

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More About “Flagged” More About “Flagged” VolunteersVolunteers

Youth Specialist contacts individual Youth Specialist contacts individual to confirm or reject informationto confirm or reject information

If information is confirmed the If information is confirmed the application goes to the County application goes to the County Volunteer Personnel Committee Volunteer Personnel Committee (VPC)(VPC)

After review VPC makes After review VPC makes recommendationsrecommendations

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Possible Possible RecommendationsRecommendations

A “flagged” individual can still A “flagged” individual can still become a 4-H volunteer.become a 4-H volunteer.

VPC recommendations could VPC recommendations could include:include:– Accept as a recognized volunteerAccept as a recognized volunteer– Accept as recognized with conditionsAccept as recognized with conditions– Reject volunteerReject volunteer

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Appeal ProcessAppeal Process

Volunteer contacts the Youth Volunteer contacts the Youth Specialist in writing within 30 days.Specialist in writing within 30 days.

Volunteer and Youth Specialist Volunteer and Youth Specialist discuss appeals process and options.discuss appeals process and options.

Volunteer makes written request for Volunteer makes written request for a meeting with VPC and receives a meeting with VPC and receives written response within 30 days of written response within 30 days of the meetingthe meeting

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Appeals ProcessAppeals Process (cont)(cont)

If not satisfied within 30 days If not satisfied within 30 days volunteer can make a written volunteer can make a written request for a hearing with the request for a hearing with the County Extension Council. Written County Extension Council. Written response of the hearing must be response of the hearing must be sent.sent.

If not satisfied within 30 days If not satisfied within 30 days volunteer can make written request volunteer can make written request for a hearing with the 4-H Director.for a hearing with the 4-H Director.

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Appeals ProcessAppeals Process (cont)(cont)

Volunteer will receive a written Volunteer will receive a written decision from the Director.decision from the Director.

The decision of the Director is The decision of the Director is final.final.

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ReviewReview

To protect volunteersTo protect volunteers To protect staffTo protect staff To protect the kidsTo protect the kids It’s the right thing to doIt’s the right thing to do

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Questions?Questions?