2020 Volunteer Application

Volunteer Policies, Agreement and Release

Dress Code

I agree that I will wear appropriate clothing to FLOC virtual program sessions and shall avoid clothing with inappropriate or offensive material. I understand that FLOC staff reserves the right to inform me if my clothing is inappropriate and I may be asked to change my clothing or miss my program session.

Volunteer Attendance Policy

Volunteers are allowed no more than 3 absences for the 2020-2021 school year. Failure to adhere to this policy could result in removal from program as well as no longer being invited to return to FLOC. We ask that you inform the appropriate program staff as soon as possible of any absences or if you are going to be running late. Additional absences will result in removal from program and placement on the wait list. FLOC staff will provide a school year calendar with scheduled program cancellations and holidays.

FLOC Policies on Reporting and Corporal Punishment

 

FLOC is mandated by law (D.C.-Law 2-22.
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977), to report child abuse and
neglect. According to this law, an abused child is: “a child under 18 years of
age whose parent, guardian, or custodian inflicts or fails to make reasonable
efforts to prevent the infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child,
including excessive corporal punishment or an act of sexual abuse or
molestation.” Corporal punishment means the inflicting of pain or discomfort.
Prohibited actions include but are not limited to hitting with any part of the
body or with an implemented, pinching, pulling, shaking, binding a child,
forcing him/her to assume an uncomfortable position, or locking him/her in a
room or closet. “Emotional neglect is a significant impairment of the child’s
emotional stability or mental health which interferes with his/her ability to
function adequately and which is caused by action or inaction of person(s)
responsible for care.”

 

This prohibition is in effect whether
punishment is spontaneous or deliberate technique effecting behavioral change
or part of a behavior management.

In addition to being mandated by law, FLOC
believes that children, who have been abused (physically and sexually) and
neglected in their birth families, should not be subjected to corporal
(physical) punishment or emotional neglect in foster or adoptive homes. Therefore,
the following policy is in effect:

 

• Agency staff and volunteers
  may not use corporal (physical) punishment as a disciplinary method.

• Agency staff and volunteers
  may not use emotional neglect or verbal abuse as a disciplinary method. 

• Agency staff and volunteers
  may not give others permission to use corporal punishment toward any child
  under the supervision of agency’s care or responsibility.

• All instances of corporal
  punishment or emotional neglect must be reported to the D.C. Department of
  Human Services.

 

FLOC supports the use of praise and positive
reinforcement to encourage students to behave appropriately. When discipline is
needed, FLOC staff and volunteers will identify and facilitate consequences
that are appropriate for the situation. FLOC staff and volunteers will NEVER
use corporal or verbal punishment for behavior management.

FLOC Process for Reporting

 

If a FLOC volutneer becomes aware of potential case of abuse or neglect of a student, they should:

If you become aware of abuse/neglect through conversation with a student, address the conversation in a calm, non-judgmental manner as possible. Do NOT ask questions or search for additional details, as you are not trained as a social worker or therapist. Simply listen and  redirect the conversation when possible.

Make a mental note (or a written if possible) of the details of the conversation or situation, as the accuracy and detail in providing information can be critical in allowing FLOC to identify the appropriate course of action.

Inform a FLOC staff member about the incident. Depending on the situation, you may be asked to be involved in the process of reporting the situation to the D. C. Department of Health and Human Services. If this is asked of you, you will have the support and guidance of a FLOC staff member through the process. 

FLOC Policy on Volunteer and Participant Interactions

 

Pursuant of FLOC’s and D.C. Public Schools regulations, NTP tutors are prohibited from having outside contact with FLOC participants, including students and parents during the school year or after the completion of the school year. Outside contact includes telephone, e-mail or other electronic contact to include all social media or any other type of personal contact.

All volunteers receive police, child protective, and reference check clearances. These clearances only enable a tutor to work in a setting under the supervision of FBI-cleared FLOC personnel. Therefore, engaging in outside activity is a liability for the tutor, student, school and FLOC. Failure to adhere to this policy could result in direct removal from program as well as no longer being invited to return to FLOC.