Volunteers
Contents:
- Volunteer Registration
- Criminal Background Checks
- Child and Adult Abuse Registry Checks
- Volunteer Coaches
- Documents & Forms
- Administrative Resources (office use only)
Volunteer Registration
Individuals interested in volunteering in our schools must register to volunteer using our On-line Registration Form prior to performing volunteer services within our schools. Since each school principal is responsible for approving volunteers within their building, a new on-line registration must be completed for each school/location in which you are interested in volunteering your services.
All volunteers are expected to abide by all applicable CCSU policies and procedures, federal and state laws and regulations, and other administrative rules while providing service within our schools. Expectations for Volunteers has been created to summarize some of the key policies, procedures and rules applicable to volunteers.
Criminal Background Checks
In order to protect our students from potential abuse or exploitation, beginning with the 2010-11 school year, school districts will be performing a Vermont criminal record check screening through the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC) on all individuals interested in volunteering in our schools or recreation department.
No individual subject to the criminal record checks shall be eligible to serve (or continue to serve) as a volunteer if they have been convicted of one or more of the following crimes (taken from 16 V.S.A. §§ 252 and 1698). The list of disqualifying crimes is not meant to be all inclusive. For convictions not listed, eligibility to volunteer shall be considered on a case by case basis. The totality of the crimes shall also be considered when determining eligibility to volunteer. The decision of the Superintendent in these matters shall be final:
- Sex offender crimes listed in 13 V.S.A. § 5401(10) (sex offender definition for registration purposes):
- Crimes involving a victim listed in 13 V.S.A. § 5301(7)
- Contributing to juvenile delinquency under 13 V.S.A. § 1301
- Cruelty to children under 13 V.S.A. § 1304
- Cruelty by person having custody under 13 V.S.A. § 1305
- Prohibited acts under 13 V.S.A. §§ 2632 and 2635
- Displaying obscene materials to minors under 13 V.S.A. § 2804b
- Sexual exploitation of children under 13 V.S.A. chapter 64
- Drug sales, including selling or dispensing under 18 V.S.A. §§ 4230(b), 4231(b), 4232(b), 4233(b), 4234(b), 4234a, 4234b, 4235(c), 4235a(b), and 4237
- Sexual activity by a caregiver, under 33 V.S.A. § 6902(D)
- Crimes that are cause for licensing actions listed in 16 V.S.A. § 1698(1)(B)-(D)
In addition to the above disqualification, it is the discretion of the Principal/Director to accept or not accept specific individuals as volunteers, and all decisions related to the continuation of a volunteer’s service. The Principal/Director on these matters is considered final.
Child and Adult Abuse Registry Checks
In addition to the Vermont criminal record check screening (outlined above), all volunteers who provide direct services to students that involves extensive unsupervised contact with school children (e.g. over-night chaperone, volunteer coach/advisor, etc.) shall be require to undergo a registry check with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DDAIL) through the Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS).
In order to complete the criminal background check and AHS registry checks, the prospective volunteer must complete and submit the following forms in addition to registration form specified above:
Individuals will automatically be disqualified from volunteering if his/her name appears with a substantiated report of abuse or neglect as listed on the DCF and/or DDAIL registries. If volunteer services commence prior to the completion of the registry check process, continued services would be contingent upon satisfactory registry check results.
Volunteer Coaches
Volunteer coaches are expected to complete all the background check requirements outlined above prior to their service with the district. A Volunteer Coaches Guide has also been created to summarize key policies, procedures and rules applicable to volunteer coaches, and to outline additional expectations related to volunteer coaches conduct and behavior.
Forms and Documents
Below are links to all the forms and documents that apply to volunteers:
- Procedure G7D-R: Volunteer Screening and Supervision
- Volunteer Registration Form (please use on-line version instead when possible)
- Expectations for Volunteers
- Volunteer Agreement & Authorization
- AHS Consent for Release of Registry Information
- Volunteer Coaches Guide
- Notice of Conviction - Volunteers (sample letter)
Administrative Resources
Below are the links to view volunteers pending approval, and the links to conduct the required background checks for volunteers:
- Approved Volunteers & Volunteers Pending Approval
- Vermont Criminal Information System (for VT crime records) - Level II & III Volunteers
- Agency of Human Services (for DCF and DDAIL registry checks) - Level III Volunteers Only
Last updated: Aug 30 at 3:11 pm
