Families And Children Together’s Volunteer Program

Office located in Bangor, Maine

Copyright 2012

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

Grandfamily to Grandfamily Volunteers

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 Boundaries

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