Date of Birth*
In most cases volunteers must be over 18 years of age. Some volunteer roles require you to be 21 years or older. If you are under 18, volunteering with a parent or guardian may be possible in some situations.
Please enter the name of the person you will be reporting to during your volunteering duties.

Volunteer Policy & Procedure


Definitions

Clients – children in the care of San Diego Center for Children (SDCC)

Safety

  1. Smoking is not permitted on SDCC’s main campus or at any SDCC program.
  2. Volunteers may never be alone with clients under any circumstance, and volunteers must remain in staff sight at all times.
  3. Volunteers must wear a volunteer badge at all times.
  4. If a volunteer brings valuables with them (cell phone, keys, wallet, purse), the volunteer must keep their valuables with them at all times; it is highly recommended that volunteers keep all personal items in a locked car and out of clear view if possible.
  5. Volunteers should not leave anything in a work space while taking a break, especially sharp objects and tools.
  6. For the safety of the clients in our care, at times we may have to implement a physical hold. Please do not be alarmed. For the privacy and respect of the client, do not watch or stare, and if possible, move out of the client’s line of sight.
  7. Any violation or suspicions of a violation involving physical/sexual abuse will result in a report to Child Protective Services.

Confidentiality

SDCC shall ensure and protect the privacy and confidentiality of all sources of client information in accordance with all applicable County, State and Federal laws, policies and procedures, including but not limited to: the State of California Welfare and Institutions Code [WIC] Section 5328; and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Confidentiality of client information shall be maintained in all formats, such as paper, electronic mail, computerized information systems, photographs, audio and video recordings communication with media and other verbal and non-verbal (gesturing, etc.) communication, in keeping with all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

Volunteers are prohibited from divulging any client information obtained from SDCC. The unauthorized release of confidential information may subject a volunteer to termination of service and legal action.

Conduct

If you are volunteering on our main campus in Linda Vista, please know the children living in our residential programs are either away from their families or do not have families they are in touch with, and have been through unimaginable difficulties none of which was their fault. Our campus is their home.

  1. All questions should be directed to SDCC staff members.
  2. Physical contact with clients, other than high fives or handshakes, is prohibited.
  3. All communication between volunteers and clients (and/or client families) should be in a professional manner.
  4. Volunteers are prohibited from disclosing personal information to clients.
  5. Volunteers are prohibited from unnecessarily invading a client’s privacy, i.e. walking into a client’s bedroom or bathroom.
  6. If you are approached by a client, please smile and say hello; please do not say things like:
    • "I’m sorry you have to be here"
    • "You poor thing" or "Where is your family?"
    • "Why are you here?" or "I want to adopt you"
    • "I wish I could take you home with me"
  7. Volunteers are prohibited from taking photographs or videos of clients or client information.
  8. Volunteers should dress conservatively when on SDCC grounds, e.g. no spaghetti straps, no bare bellies, no underclothing showing, and etc.
  9. Volunteers are prohibited from visiting SDCC programs outside of their volunteer duties or without staff knowledge.
  10. Volunteers are prohibited from visiting clients or their family members and/or contacting clients or their family members in any form, e.g. telephonically, electronically, and etc.
  11. SDCC volunteers are prohibited from using SDCC’s Internet, Intranet, and Extranet related systems for any reason other than business purposes, and under no circumstances is volunteer authorized to engage in any activity that is illegal under local, state, federal or international law while utilizing SDCC-owned resources.

If you have any questions regarding the information above, please don’t hesitate to let your volunteer supervisor know.

By checking the box below:

  • you indicate that you received, have read, and understand all of the applicable SDCC rules and requirements related to your volunteer duties, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct; and
  • to the extent allowed by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless SDCC, its governing board, officers, employees, agents, representatives and volunteers, of all liabilities and all loss of damage to person or property which may occur or be incident to your involvement or participation as a volunteer.