NCJ Number
114234
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 67 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1988) Pages: 595-608
Date Published
1988
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Volunteers can be extremely valuable resources in a variety of ways in independent-living programs for adolescents and are currently being used in many programs nationwide.
Abstract
A telephone and mail survey of nearly 100 independent-living programs in 30 states revealed that approximately 70 percent of the programs have a volunteer component. The number of volunteers ranges from 1 to 100, with an average of 20. The main approaches for recruiting volunteers are advertisements, public service announcements, word of mouth, and contacts with mainstream institutions and organizations. Volunteers are screened through personal references, background checks, interviews, and reviews of employment records. Most programs have training procedures, typically a brief orientation followed by a few hours of program exposure. Nearly 80 percent of the programs assign a staff person with the responsibility for supervising volunteers. Programs usually ask volunteers for a time commitment; but only 30 percent of the programs use written agreements for volunteers. Nearly 70 percent of the programs use some form of reimbursement or award to recognize volunteer efforts. Profiles of five programs and guidelines for developing and coordinating a volunteer program are included. 16 references. (Author abstract modified)