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Foster Grandparent Position Description
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Foster Grandparent Position Description
Purpose:
To connect the generations. To provide volunteer service that addresses community needs. To create meaningful relationships with special needs children by providing love, encouragement and companionship on a one-to-one basis. To provide extra care and attention to special needs children in order to improve their physical, mental, emotional and social development so they may grow to reach their maximum potential and become as independent as possible. To serve children in school, day care, Head Start and institutional settings.
Qualifications:
Age 60 years or older. County resident. Annual income falls within Federally established guidelines. Willing and able to volunteer with children an average of 20 hours per week. Health, as determined by physical examination, must be adequate to meet the demands of the position without detriment to self or children served.
Expectations:
Sincere interest in special and exceptional needs children. Provide supportive relationship and friendship. Provide love and encouragement. Serve as a non-threatening adult. Offer guidance. A good listener. Sensitive to children's feelings and needs. Foster independence. Provide stability, emotional support and companionship on a one-to-one basis. Maintain confidentiality. Able to set limits with children. Must be nonjudgmental with regard to race, income, special needs, disabilities, religion, family status and background. Must be patient, kind and understanding. Exhibit a warm and caring attitude. Be tactful and sensitive to feelings and reactions of others. Possess emotional maturity. Demonstrate good judgment. Show initiative. Be able to maintain written records and report to site promptly and on a regular basis. Follow directions and accept supervision by site and program staff. Must cooperate and communicate with site and program staff. Abide by site and program policies, procedures and regulations. Attend required orientation and inservice training. Dress in neat and clean manner.
Roles and Sample Activities:
Listening...Talking...Singing...Walking...Reading...Feeding...Tutoring...Modeling appropriate behaviors and skills Encouraging socialization. Assisting with self-help skills (washing hands and eating). Participating in good activities. Playing games, telling stories, holding and hugging a child. Assisting with reading and other academic subjects. Teaching manners and social skills. Assisting with learning activities and developmental therapy. Reinforcing lessons taught by teachers. Helping a child to remained focused and on task. Clarifying and translating group instructions into individual instructions. Encouraging and praising a child. Assisting in development of motor and learning skills. Helping to prevent, delay and lessen the effects of institutionalization. Providing stimulation and learning experiences. Providing intergenerational exposure. Working on craft and art projects. Possibly pushing wheelchairs or accompanying children on field trips.
Restrictions:
Do not serve as paid staff, custodian, baby sitter, supervisor, substitute teacher or disciplinarian. Refrain from giving gifts, food or money to children. Not to be left in charge or without supervision by site staff. Refrain from bringing guests to the volunteer site unless written permission is obtained from the site and provided to the Foster Grandparent office in advance of the visit. Refrain from taking children from the site unless accompanying them on field trips supervised by site staff. Refrain from correcting papers, making photocopies, preparing meals and cleaning up unless children participate in these activities. Refrain from discussing personal religious beliefs, preaching, singing religious songs or praying out loud. Refrain from participating in religious education classes, prayer services, mass or religious retreats.
Rewards
Hugs, kisses, unconditional love and socialization with others. Feeling needed and useful. Gaining a sense of accomplishment and heightened self-esteem. Making an impact in a child's life. Solving community problems.
Benefits:
*Hourly stipend and free daily meal at site. Travel reimbursement, insurance, free pre-enrollment and annual physical examinations. Paid time off, socialization and recognition. Training through orientation and monthly inservices.
*The stipend is non-taxable, non-reportable income that does not effect eligibility for other programs and services.
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