1. Communication & Supervised Transitions
Parent/guardian and volunteer/mentor communication is vital. To allow parents time to get to know the mentor, ask about activities, or share information, parents must be home whenever a child is picked up or dropped off.
● Absences: If you cannot be home, you must arrange for another caregiver to be present.
● Children over 10: You must provide written authorization if your child (age 10+) is to be dropped off without an adult present.
● Authorized Adults: Please inform the mentor if a sibling over 18 or another designated adult will be there instead of you.
● Safety Protocol: If you are not home and no prior arrangements were made, mentors are instructed to take the child to the nearest police department to contact you.
2. Safety & Environment
It is the parent’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for the volunteer and to inform the program of any safety concerns. If the family moves, the parent must notify the program immediately.
3. Rules & Restrictions
Parents must inform the volunteer of any specific rules or restrictions (e.g., no “PG-13” or “R” rated movies, specific curfew times, dietary restrictions, etc.).
4. Reporting & Feedback
Parents are required to contact the Kinship Director at the following intervals:
● After the very first get-together.
● After the first month of mentoring.
● At least once every three months thereafter.
● Immediately if you have concerns about the volunteer’s behavior or your child’s reaction to visits (e.g., withdrawal, acting out, or poor physical boundaries).
5. Immediate Notification Requirements
Contact the Kinship Director immediately if the volunteer:
● Treats you or your child in a shaming or disrespectful way.
● Makes any sexual advances or shows sexually explicit material.
● Uses chemicals or alcohol prior to or during visits.
● Breaks rules you have set for your child.
● Overindulges your child with expensive gifts or activities.
● Involves your child in any inappropriate activities.
6. Boundaries & Liability
Parents must respect the volunteer’s role. Do not ask mentors for favors unrelated to the program (e.g., running errands, borrowing money, or babysitting). Due to liability concerns, friends of the child may not join mentoring visits.
7. Overnights & Travel
Overnight activities and out-of-town trips involving an overnight stay are NOT permitted without Director approval and written parent/guardian permission.
8. Discipline
Withholding Kinship visits should not be used as a form of punishment for your child.
