SOFESA Volunteer Screening Policy 

POLICY STATEMENT :
All employees and volunteers who work with children at SOFESA must comply with the screening procedures as listed in this volunteer screening policy. This policy includes, but is not limited to establishing a volunteer application, procedures for reporting abuse, signed statements from the applicant stating that the applicant has never been formally accused, found guilty, or entered a guilty plea in a court of law to any form of child abuse or neglect, and background checks on the applicant.
PURPOSE:
It is the goal of SOFESA to provide:
  1. A safe environment for all children involved in any SOFESA sponsored program or activity.
  2. Comfortable working conditions for all employees and volunteers working with children.
OBJECTIVES:
  1. That all children be treated with courtesy, respect, and unconditional love while attending the programs and activities of SOFESA.
  2. That the activities and programs of SOFESA are conducted in a safe and secure environment and the children are properly supervised while participating in these activities and programs.
  3. That volunteers and employees who work with children receive appropriate training to properly supervise and conduct the activities and programs, and respond to and report dangerous or inappropriate situations.
VOLUNTEER SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
General rules which apply to all volunteers working with children include:
  1. All volunteers must submit to the rules, recommendations, and requests of the immediate SOFESA supervisor. The supervisor is ultimately responsible for all occurrences and must be allowed to use his experience to preclude any detrimental situations.
  2. Lights are to remain on and doors and windows are not to be covered. Should lights need to be turned off for video viewing, the immediate supervisor will be present.
  3. All volunteers should use good judgment when needing to speak to a child, no one speaks to a child alone. Doors and window blinds should be open at all times. A second adult in the room is required when a one on one conversation/activity is needed with a child.
  4. Topics, vocabulary and attire should not be used/worn which may portray a negative message to the children.
  5. Volunteers should not use alcohol, tobacco or any drug use during a scheduled activity or prior to it.
  6. All volunteers should use good judgment when having physical contact with children. Do not pat them on the bottom or touch them in any way that would seem intimate, threatening, or frightening. Under no circumstances should you treat a child roughly. Do not yell at him, intimidate him, threaten him, grab him by his arm firmly, shake him, forcibly sit him in a chair or strike him. Not only would such occurrences be inappropriate to SOFESA atmosphere but cause of legal action could be argued.
  7. Volunteers will always maintain a professional posture in accompanying families, avoiding emotional attachment and aware of the powerful attraction of adults in positions of authority and trust.
  8. If a volunteer believes that a child or family member is in an unsafe or abusive home, they shall report it to the immediate supervisor.

Volunteer Screening Process: Background Checks

SOFESA works with Sterling Volunteers to perform required background checks for volunteer applicants.  All background checks are performed via online at the Sterling Volunteers website.  SOFESA will pay for half of the cost of the background check.  The volunteer applicant agrees to pay the other half of the cost for the background check.  ​

Complete Criminal Locator Search & Report:  Required for all Volunteer applicants attending activities and events with SOFESA families.  Cost is $35 ($17.50 paid by SOFESA, $17.50 paid by volunteer)
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​Click here to begin your background check.  You will be directed to the Sterling Volunteers website to create a new account (free of charge) and begin the process to do your background check.  Once completed, Sterling Volunteers will notify SOFESA of your request and report.  SOFESA will notify you once your application and background have been approved.

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