LSF Volunteer Manual

VOLUNTEER POLICY MANUAL

WELCOME

The purpose of this manual is to provide a description of the Tutoring Program of the Latino Student Fund, Inc (LSF) The manual provides information, direction, and guidance to LSF staff who are responsible for implementing and operating a volunteer program for the organization.

The responsibility that we have to our students makes it imperative that we understand and adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in this manual

Volunteer Protection Act

Public Law 105-19, the Volunteer Protection Act, was signed by President Clinton on June 18, 1997. The act offers a degree of protection for volunteers that will allow them a feeling of security against personal loss resulting from their volunteer service Many volunteers worry about a lawsuit due to a mistake they make in the course of their volunteer activity.

The act provides protection unless one of the following occurs; (1) The volunteer does something OUTSIDE the job description, (2) The volunteer does not have the required license or certificate for the job being performed (3) The volunteer’s act that caused the injury was while they were operating a motor vehicle, and (4) the volunteer caused the injury with willful, criminal, or reckless misconduct or gross negligence.

The Tutoring Program provides a process by which LSF can attract and utilize the volunteer services of individuals and groups from the greater Washington community. Volunteer services are utilized to the mutual benefit of LSF and the volunteer.

Volunteers are accepted without regard to race, creed, religion, age (except those under age 16), sex(gender identity), sexual orientation, color, national origin, or disability. Volunteers are not considered employees of LSF, but volunteers are required to adhere to all rules, regulations, and policies set forth by LSF. Therefore, the LSF staff and volunteers must adhere to the controls and documentation prescribed in this manual. The certification process must be completed prior to beginning volunteer service

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS

1

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age unless given explicit permission from the Tutoring Program Manager or Programs Manager.

2. All volunteers over the age of 18 are required to undergo a background check and sexual offender registry check. Verbal or written consent must be provided to an LSF staff providing permission to conduct a background check.

4

Volunteers are recruited and accepted by the public without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law

3. Persons who have been charged with or convicted of crimes involving the use of a weapon, crime(s) against children, or any other felony are prohibited from serving as volunteers for the LSF.

5

Prospective volunteers convicted of misdemeanors and participating in court-approved probation without sentencing, work release, or alternate sentencing programs cannot serve as volunteers who have direct contact with LSF students. Said individuals can perform administrative duties in the LSF headquarters under the same previously stated conditions

REQUIREMENTS V O L U N T E E R

BACKGROUND CHECK

All volunteers over the age of 18 are required to undergo a background check and sexual offender registry check Verbal or written consent must be provided to an LSF staff providing permission to conduct a background check

TUTOR ORIENTATION

All volunteers are to complete the LSF Volunteer Orientation, including training videos

MEDIA RELEASE

All volunteers must complete a media authorization form and a signed policy form.

VOLUNTEER RESTRICTIONS

1.

2. 3. 4.

Volunteers are not allowed to photograph students on personal devices, such as cell phones and cameras

Volunteers must keep cameras on at all times while tutoring virtually Volunteers must ask students to also keep their cameras on unless their technology restricts this.

Volunteers are prohibited from contacting or receiving contact from LSF program participants and their families outside of the tutoring session, hosted by LSF staff. If participants or their families attempt to contact volunteers or ask for their contact information, volunteers should refuse and inform LSF staff who will speak with the participants.

Volunteers are prohibited from wearing inappropriate clothing while engaging in virtual tutoring (defined as clothing with profane images or words or very revealing clothing). Volunteers are prohibited from exposing students to inappropriate sounds in the background or images while sharing screens

5. 6.

Volunteers are prohibited from the use of any form of corporal punishment against LSF students.

Volunteers who have not completed all registration requirements are prohibited from direct contact with LSF students

V

O L U N T E E R

EXPECTATIONS

Cooperation Integrity

Latino Student Fund volunteers are asked to cooperate with LSF staff in fulfilling their duties as mandated reporters

Volunteers are asked to report any indication of or warning signs concerning abuse involving a child to the appropriate staff

Volunteers who identify suspicious behavior or a violation of policy by a fellow volunteer should report the event to their supervisor immediately.

At no time should volunteers be in a situation where they are alone with a child and cannot be observed by others. The Latino Student Fund will make every attempt to design and structure its programs to eliminate the potential for a staff member to be in a one‐on‐one situation.

Volunteers are not to have students enter closets or storage areas to retrieve equipment

Volunteers are not to have contact with a student or family member outside of program hours, except through email when previously approved by parents and LSF staff.

Honesty

It is the responsibility of LSF staff to act as liaisons and communicate necessary information between families, students, and volunteers

All students who are registered into programs will be supervised by Latino Student Fund staff at all times.

Members, including volunteers, family members, and board members, are expected to use decent language and act in a positive manner

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

The LSF prohibits and does not tolerate sexual abuse in the workplace or in any Latino Student Fund-related activity The LSF provides procedures for employees, volunteers, family members, board members, victims of sexual abuse, or others to report sexual abuse and disciplinary penalties for those who commit such acts.

The LSF has a zero-tolerance policy for any sexual abuse committed by an employee, volunteer, board member, or third party associated with the LSF. Following any report of potential sexual abuse, the Latino Student Fund will initiate an appropriate investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and criminal prosecution may ensue, if warranted

Sexual abuse is broadly defined and “includes any sexual activity with a child where consent is not or cannot be given. This includes sexual contact that is accomplished by force or threat of force, regardless of the age of the participants, and all sexual contact between an adult and a child, regardless of whether there is deception or the child understands the sexual nature of the activity The sexually abusive acts may include; sexual penetration, sexual touching or molestation, sexual injury or non-contact sexual acts such as exposure or voyeurism, and sexual exploitation.”

REPORTING PROCEDURES

If you are aware of or suspect sexual abuse is taking place, you should immediately report it to your supervisor. All LSF staff are Mandated Reporters and must report the abuse to the local or state Adult Protective Services (APS) Agency, or if it is a child who is the victim then they must report the suspected abuse to the local or state Child Abuse Agency Appropriate family members should be notified of alleged instances of sexual abuse.

Some, but not all, of the physical and behavioral evidence or signs that someone is being sexually abused, are listed on the following page:

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF ABUSE INVESTIGATION AND FOLLOWUP PROCEDURES

Difficulty walking

Unexplained injuries

Injuries that do not match the given description

Injuries appearing to have a pattern

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person

Reluctance to go home after tutoring

Fear of being touched or flinching at the touch

Wearing excessive clothing

Unusually rebellious or defiant behavior

Sudden change in behavior

ANTI-RETALIATION STATEMENT

The Latino Student Fund will take all allegations of sexual abuse seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate whether sexual abuse has taken place. The LSF may use an outside third party to conduct an investigation The LSF will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory agencies. It is the organization’s objective to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.

The LSF will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation.

The LSF prohibits retaliation made against any employee, volunteer, or board member who reports a good-faith complaint of sexual abuse or who participates in any related investigation. Making false accusations of sexual abuse in bad faith can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. The Latino Student Fund prohibits making false and/or malicious sexual abuse allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

mfborja@latinostudentfund.org