NCJ Number
43793
Date Published
1976
Length
80 pages
Annotation
STEPS IN DEVELOPING A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOR PROBATION AND PAROLE DEPARTMENTS ARE GIVEN AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES SUGGESTED; SAMPLE TRAINING MATERIALS, ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS, AND RESOURCES ARE LISTED.
Abstract
THIS MANUAL WAS PREPARED AS A FOLLOWUP TO TRAINING PROGRAMS SPONSORED BY THE JUVENILE COURT JUDGES' COMMISSION IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR PERSONS INTERESTED IN PROJECTS. FOLLOWING A SECTION ON FUNCTIONAL UTILIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS WITH SKILLS REQUIRED FOR EACH SERVICE (OUTINGS OR WEEKENDS, COMMUNITY RESOURCE REFERRAL PERSONS, EMPLOYMENT FINDERS, ETC.), THE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, AND ASSIGNMENT OF VOLUNTEERS ARE DISCUSSED. SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS ARE GIVEN, AND A SAMPLE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM IS INCLUDED. TRAINING IS COVERED IN DETAIL WITH STEP-BY-STEP SUGGESTIONS GIVEN FOR INITIAL TRAINING AND INSERVICE DEVELOPMENT. MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO COORDINATE AND MONITOR INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS, PROBATIONERS, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE EXAMINED. SEVERAL SYSTEMS WHICH PROVIDE FOR CONTROL BUT ARE NOT TOO ONEROUS FOR VOLUNTEERS ARE DESCRIBED WITH FORMS INCLUDED. MAINTAINING GOOD PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS IS AN ONGOING PROCESS IN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. IF THE PROGRAM STAFF THINKS IN TERMS OF A SYSTEMATIC FLOW OF INFORMATION BETWEEN THE COURT SYSTEM, THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, AND THE COMMUNITY, THE MUTUAL TRUST AND COMMUNITY INTEREST ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS WILL BE FOSTERED. THE ROLE OF BROCHURES, RADIO, TELEVISION, AND NEWSPAPER STORIES, NEWSLETTERS, THANK YOU LETTERS, TELEPHONE CONTACT, AND VARIOUS OTHER PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES IS DISCUSSED. PROGRAM EVALUATION IS ALSO DETAILED; VARIOUS TYPES OF EVALUATION METHODS ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED.