families and children together’s volunteer program office located in bangor, maine copyright 2012
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Maine Kids-Kin Volunteer Program
In 2011 we had 100 volunteers who worked 1500 hours
They serve in a variety of roles – both ongoing and one time volunteer opportunities
Learn more about the Maine Kids-Kin program by visiting www.mainekids-kin.org
Benefits to volunteers
Giving back and helping othersBeing part of a group or teamMaking new friends and being with old
friendsGaining new skills and maintaining skills no
longer in useMeeting a challengeFostering good healthHaving fun
Policies and ProceduresMaine Kids-Kin policies and procedures related to volunteers are written in a volunteer handbook. It includes information on the following:
Volunteer HandbookVolunteer Handbook
Cover
About the handbook…Developed by a team of
volunteersUsed to share policies
and procedures with volunteers
Available by contacting Anna Libby at alibby@mainekids-kin.org
Guiding Principles are also available in the Handbook
Civic Engagement
Civic engagement involves traditional volunteerism and much more. It is about creating ways to utilize the strengths, skills, and passions of individuals and groups to help serve families in need. It is about building a supportive community that strengthens our agency.
Building Family Services Through Civic Engagement: A Guide for Expanding Your Agency Through Volunteer
Programming
Waiting To Be Asked About the manual…Relates history of civic
engagement with the Maine Kids-Kin program, as well as specifics about programming, tips for replication, and stories about the program
Contact Anna Libby at alibby@mainekids-kin.org for a copy of the manual
WisdomWorks TeamsDeveloped by the National Council on Aging
(NCOA)WWTs are self directed teams of volunteers, aged
55 and older, who bring the skills and experience needed for success in a particular project
Working with WWTs has grown the Maine Kids-Kin volunteer program in a variety of ways. WWTs have:Developed the Volunteer HandbookDeveloped volunteer fundraising rolesConsidered models for grandfamilies to share
childcareResearched dual relationshipsDeveloped training
Development of the G2G ModelDue to the rural nature of the State of
Maine, access to support groups is challenging.
Maine Kids-Kin created a statewide phone mentoring support for families called Grandfamily to Grandfamily (G2G)
With funding from Brookdale and Fostering Connections funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services
What is G2G?To assist another Grandfamily caregiver by
listening and supporting his or her situation by phone
Experienced Grandfamilies are matched with an interested Grandfamily member who is looking for support
G2Gs… Use nonjudgmental listening skills Provide emotional supportHelp Grandfamilies prepare for events by
encouraging them to identify hopes and concernsProvide options, not adviceMaintain confidentialityReport suspected abuse and neglect to DHHS
Qualifications to be a G2GMust have experience raising a relative’s
childMust be currently in a healthy, stable
environmentMust be available as scheduled with the
clientMust complete an application process
including a background check and references
Training and Support for G2GsMaine Kids-Kin staff provides training on a variety
of topics includingAppropriate responses to caregivers
Staff provide support at mandatory monthly peer support and supervision meetings
Staff are readily available by phone to G2GsG2G volunteers are welcome to request additional
trainingG2Gs have access to clinical supervisionFor more information about Maine Kids-Kin G2G
program, contact Tracy Cooley (tcooley@mainekids-kin.org)
G2G Refresher Training SessionWisdomWorks team assisted staff in
developing a refresher training course for G2G volunteers
All G2G volunteers were required to take this refresher training session
Training included confidentiality, role of G2G, mandatory reporting, and sample scenarios to develop problem solving skills
Dual Relationships and VolunteersDefinition of Dual Relationship
A dual relationship occurs when a person occupies two roles at the same time.
These relationships occur in many volunteer roles includingGrandfamily to Grandfamily
In the case of a G2G, the roles would be volunteer and client, or former client.
WisdomWorks TeamsCourt VolunteersAdvisory Committee MembersFundraising volunteersOutreach VolunteersClothing Exchange Volunteers… and more
Positive Outcomes of Dual Relationships
Sharing experiences and wisdom about raising relative’s children with other clients, volunteers, and program staff
Creates ambassadors to educate the community as to the issues that relative’s face when raising children
Allows the client to participate in Paying It Forward
Challenges of Dual RelationshipsBoundaries Issues including
Conflict of InterestClients may want to pursue a friendship with
the G2GSelf disclosure (how much a G2G wants to
share with a client)Managing boundary issuesMaintaining Confidentiality
Tips for Dual RelationshipsProvide quality training to volunteers on
confidentiality, boundaries, etc. Have clear job descriptions and expectations
(volunteer handbook!)Attend supervision meetingsShow responsiveness to family needs (Guilt Free
Passes, Stipends, Leave of Absence)Use wisdom of clients when developing programsAcknowledge the importance of paying it forwardAllow staff opportunities to discuss DR (trainings,
clinical supervision)Make sure volunteers know who to contact and
what to do
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