8. VOLUNTEERS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMPONENT
Volunteers can be utilized in the social services component. A concern in using parents and other local volunteers in social services has been confidentiality. Agency policies on access to confidential information should be clearly stated and included in the Social Services Plan. (The Volunteer Plan should reference this portion of the Social Services Plan.) Parents, in their policy role, are included among those who establish policies regarding confidentiality.
These policies, in turn, should be considered in the screening, orientation, training and placement of volunteers. As with paid staff, volunteer access to confidential files should be on a need-to-know basis. This position is stated in the "HDS Position Statement on Volunteerism."
8.1 Social Services Advisory Committee
The performance standards suggest the creation of a committee comprising volunteers from the community, representatives of community agencies, staff, and parents. The committee provides a mechanism for fulfilling Head Start's goal of developing close cooperative linkages with existing community resources.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CER 1304, Social Services, Subpart D--Social Services Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.1304.4-2 Social services plan content
(b) The plan shall provide for close cooperation with existing community resources including:(4) Calling attention to the inadequacies of existing community services, or to the need for additional services, and assisting in improving the available services, or bringing in new services....
Related Performance Standards Guidance
(4) A Social Service Advisory Committee comprised of Head Start staff, staff from other community agencies, and Head Start parents could be formed to provide input concerning needed social services and to act as an advocacy group in obtaining these services.
8.2 Volunteers and Client Confidentiality
Specific training sessions should be devoted to the issues of confidentiality. Appropriately trained volunteers should be able to access those confidential materials directly related to the completion of their assigned tasks.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"HDS Position Statement on Volunteerism." HDS-IM-82-1, Office of Human Development Services, July 26, 1982.
Confidentiality:Client confidentiality need not and should not be a barrier to the use of volunteers in social services programs. Volunteers who are recruited by agencies administering publicly funded social services should be trained and supervised by agency staff. They should be expected to maintain the same standards of confidentiality, and be subject to the same prohibitions and sanctions concerning disclosure of information, as salaried employees. Under these conditions, they should be afforded access to any agency files essential to carrying out their assigned functions. Volunteer access to confidential files should be on a "need to know" basis as is true for salaried staff.
8.3 Protection of Confidentiality of Family's Social Service RecordsAs discussed above, policy requires that the Social Services Plan carefully delineate how records are to be maintained, including issues related to confidentiality. With the Policy Council, agency staff need to develop specific guidance for volunteer access to confidential files.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Social Services, Subpart D--Social Services Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.
1304.4-2 Social services plan content
(c) The plan shall provide for the establishment, maintenance, and confidentiality of records of up-to-date, pertinent family data....Related Performance Standard Guidance
(c) ... Parents and staff should be involved in determining criteria for confidentiality.8.4 Parent Volunteers in Social Services
Head Start parents are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the program, including social services. Parents can accompany other parents or staff to social agency visits or on home visits, where appropriate.
REFERENCE TEXT CITATION
"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CER 1304, Parent Involvement, Subpart E--Parent Involvement Objectives and Performance Standards, November 1984.1304.5-3 Parent involvement plan content: enhancing development of parenting skills
The plan shall provide methods and opportunities for involving parents....Related Performance Standard Guidance
(a) ... Parents should be encouraged to participate as volunteers in social service activities making contact with community social agencies and making home visits as well as volunteering in the classrooms.