1. AUTHORITY FOR THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Project Head Start was founded on the belief that successful programs demand meaningful citizen participation. To achieve such participation, the program was designed to require using volunteers and, in turn, to allow their services to be counted as in-kind contributions toward the non-Federal share of the local Head Start budget.Several documents have been prepared and disseminated to all grantees authorizing and guiding them in establishing volunteer programs. (Note: All of the documents listed below may be reproduced. Those documents identified as "out of print" are no longer available for distribution by the Head Start Bureau. The relevant information from all these documents has been compiled in this publication so that reference to the originals is not needed.)
"Head Start Child Development Programs: A Manual of Policies and Instructions" (manual 6108-1), issued in 1967, contains a section on volunteers. 'Volunteers" (pamphlet number S of the Head Start Rainbow series), published in 1968, offers guidance for the volunteer component; (Both of these documents are out of print and not available from the National Head Start Bureau.)
The official "Head Start Program Performance Standards" have been in use since 1975. Although the performance standards do not identify a separate volunteer component, they include requirements specific to volunteers in both the policy and guidance sections.
The continued emphasis on volunteer services was restated by the Office of Human Development Services (HDS) in the 1982 Information Memorandum on volunteerism (HDS-IM-82-1). The memorandum addressed the need not only for a volunteer effort in each Head Start program but also the need for commitment of both program and personnel resources to effectively implement a volunteer program. (This Information Memorandum is out of print.)
A Notice of Proposed Rule making, 45-CFR Part 1306, entitled "Head Start Staff Requirements and Program Options," was published in the Federal Register for comments on December 8, 1988, and circulated to Head Start programs through the issuance of an Information Memorandum dated December 14, 1988 from the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF-IM-88-34). This proposed regulation would require Head Start programs to use volunteers to the fullest extent possible and to develop and implement a system to actively recruit, train, and utilize volunteers in the program. In addition, it would require special efforts to have volunteer participation, especially from parents, in the classroom.
"Revised Instructions for Completion of a Head Start Grant Application" were published in the Federal Register, December 28, '1988, and circulated to Head Start programs through the issuance of an Information Memorandum dated January 3, 1989 (ACYF-IM-89-0 1). These proposed instructions would require programs to stipulate how "volunteer supervision and training opportunities" are accomplished as a requirement for obtaining a grant.
Through these regulations, policies, grant requirements, and guidance, local Head Start programs are required to develop high-quality' volunteer programs' as part of their overall planning activities. These issuances address several factors key to the development of a successful volunteer effort.
To be effective, a volunteer program must have the commitment of management. Head Start management includes the agency board of directors, Policy Council/Committee members, the director, and component coordinators. In addition, staff who directly supervise volunteers. (e.g., cooks, bus drivers, classroom staff) must share in the commitment if the program is to function effectively.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"HDS Position Statement on Volunteerism." HDS-IM-82-1, Office of Human Development Services, July 26, 1982.
Commitment of Management:In order to be successful, HDS volunteer programs must have the strong commitment of management at all levels, from the highest executive to the lowest supervisor and staff. While volunteers are not without cost, they can and should be extremely cost-effective.... Commitment of top management to volunteerism implies a willingness, when necessary, to budget funds for the operation of the program....
Responsibility for the overall direction and supervision of the volunteer component is assigned to the Coordinator of Volunteers.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Child Development Programs:
A Manual of Policies and Instructions."
Manual 6108-1, Office of Child
Development, September 1967.
3. The Stafff. The Volunteers
Every Head Start program must use volunteers to the fullest extent possible. Volunteers may be either professionals or non-professionals.
(1) Every program should have a Coordinator of Volunteers. A full-time Coordinator will be needed for the larger programs. The small programs should combine this assignment with another position such as the Parent Coordinator. In some cases the Coordinator of Community Resources for the Community Action Agency might also serve as the supervisor of the Head Start volunteers. Hopefully, some communities will be able to locate a qualified volunteer for this assignment.
1.3 Duties and Qualifications of a Coordinator of VolunteersThe policy cited below addresses the general duties and qualifications of the Coordinator of Volunteers. Programs should review performance standards and component plans to develop an appropriate job description for the Coordinator.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Child Development Programs:
A Manual of Policies and Instructions."
Manual 6108-1, Office of Child
Development, September 1967.
3. The Staffa. Employment of Qualified Personnel
(5) Staff Qualifications and Duties
Coordinator of Volunteers
Duties--Responsible for the recruitment of volunteers. Coordinates and supervises the volunteer program. Provides liaison with volunteer bureaus and other private agencies who specialize in volunteer services.
Qualifications--The Volunteer Coordinator may be a paid or volunteer person. Must be a sound administrator who is able to structure the volunteer program carefully, so that the services rendered by volunteers are compatible with their capabilities, oriented to the needs of the staff and participants, and consistently available to fill the position assigned to them.
1.4 Development of a Plan for Volunteer Services
While there is no specific mention of a Plan for Volunteer Services in the performance standards or other policy issuances, there are references to the recruitment, training, and appropriate use of volunteers. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the proposed grant application would require programs to discuss how they will "supervise and train volunteers." Therefore, another responsibility of the individual overseeing volunteer services is to work with other staff, board and Policy Council/Committee members, and community representatives in the development of a Plan for Volunteer Services. The plan should encompass the requirements listed in various sections of the performance standards.
BACK TO T.O.C
Head Start National Library Collection | BMCC Home