CIL PEER VISITING/VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
I. General Information.
The following information will assist in defining the roles of the Peer Visitors and Peer Volunteers.
Peer Visitors: Peer Visitors concentrate their volunteer time with a particular Consumer/Consumers. Peer Visitors volunteer their time in the following activities: One-on-one volunteering with a Consumer, recreation/social events, group activities, public speaking.
Peer Volunteers: Peer Volunteers volunteer their time in the following activities: Recreation/social events, group activities, office tasks, and public speaking. Peer Volunteers can become Peer Visitors at any time in which they decide to volunteer on a one-on-one basis with a Consumer.
A. Purpose Statement.
The purpose of the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Programis to recruit volunteers to assist persons with disabilities (Consumers) to achieve the independence they desire by providing information and resources, and giving support to Consumers. Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program services include:
1. Assisting Consumers to increase social activities and/or contacts and providing support.
2. Assisting Consumers to increase their awareness and utilization of community resources.
3. Maintaining confidentiality.
4. Respecting the rights, values, and belief systems of Consumers.
5. The time commitment required of the Peer Visitor/Volunteer is to be decided upon by the Consumer, Peer Visitor/Volunteer, and Peer Counselor/Volunteer Coordinator. The Peer Visitor/Volunteer must maintain scheduled appointments.
6. Completing, Volunteer Logs, and monthly Contact Records/Notes
7. Reporting progress and concerns/problems to the Coordinator.
8. Complying with Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program Policies and Procedures.
B. Eligibility Process
1) Individuals seeking assistance (Consumers) will be accepted into the program based on
a) the presence of a disability, and
b) a reasonable expectation that the Peer Visiting /Volunteer Program will assist the individual to achieve a desired level of independence.
2) Consumers must reside in Region __ which consists of ______, ______, ______,______,______.
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II. Referral Process
A) Consumers can be referred to the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program by another agency, family member, friend, an independent living specialist, a community member, or themselves.
B) A Request for Service Form is filled out by the individual making the referral, or the Peer Counselor/Volunteer Coordinator.
III. Service Delivery
The method of service delivery in the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program entails that Consumers will be served through a match with a Peer Visitor/Volunteer. The Peer Visitor/Volunteer assists the Consumer to attain goals that will enable them to achieve a level of independence they desire. Peer Visitor/Volunteers are volunteers of the CIL. Peer Visitors/Volunteers are often short term and may or may not have a disability. Stressing Consumer control, the chosen match is dependent upon the Consumer’s goals, expectations, disability, and many other factors.
IV. Consumer Service Delivery
A. Method of Service Delivery.
1) The Consumer (and legal guardian if necessary) and/or service provider will be contacted by the Coordinator to explain the program and to verify how the Consumer will benefit from the program.
2) An intake interview will be conducted with the Consumer (and legal guardian if necessary). The CIL’s Orientation Packet, Consumer Intake, Independent Living Plan, and Consent To Release Information Forms will be completed.
3) A Consumer File is created, which includes the forms completed in the intake interview, as well as, Progress Notes, the Letter of Agreement, and Consumer Contact Records/Notes.
4) The Consumer will then be matched with a Peer Visitor/Volunteer based on needs, leisure interests, nature of disability, age, gender, geographic location, compatible times to meet, and mode of transportation.
5) A meeting is arranged for the Peer Visitor/Volunteer, Consumer, and the Coordinator. If both Consumer and Peer Visitor/Volunteer decide this would be a good match, the Letter of Agreement is completed.
6) If there is no Peer Visitor/Volunteer currently on file that is compatible with the Consumer, the Coordinator will continue to recruit and keep in contact with the Consumer by making monthly contacts and place him or her on the mailing list for the CIL newsletter.
7) Under the direction of the Coordinator, the Consumer and Peer Visitor/Volunteer decide when they can meet and what goals to work toward. The Coordinator maintains monthly contacts with the Consumer to monitor activities, compatibility, and progress. These contacts are recorded in the Consumer Contact Records/Notes and Progress Notes.
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8) When a Consumer decides to end the program, the Coordinator meets with the Consumer to complete the Consumer Exit Form and the Program Evaluation Form. If the Consumer is unable to meet with the Coordinator, the Consumer Exit Form will be completed by the Coordinator, and the Program Evaluation Form will be sent to the Consumer to complete and return to the CIL.
V. Peer Visitor/Volunteer Service Delivery
A. Volunteer Recruitment.
1) Peer Visitor/Volunteers are recruited from other volunteer agencies, churches, schools, and the community at large. The program is advertised using posters, fliers, pamphlets, personal speaking engagements, letters, articles or announcements in newsletters, newspapers, radio, television, and various community outreach activities.
2) Networking is done with other volunteer agencies, non-profit agencies, local businesses, community clubs and organizations, community educators, church leaders, and the community at large to inform and educate people on the CIL’s Peer Visitor/Volunteer Program.
B). Volunteer Involvement.
1) When an interested volunteer contacts the CIL, an information packet is sent to the potential volunteer, or an appointment is made to complete the information packet. The information packet consists of the Volunteer Registration Form, two Reference Release of Information Forms, a copy of the Volunteer Reference Questionnaire, the Peer Visitor/Volunteer Job Description, and any other information that the Coordinator may think would interest the applicant, such as a recent newsletter from the CIL.
2) The Coordinator checks references by phone or by mailing the Volunteer Reference Questionnaire, the Reference Release of Information Form, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the references listed on page two of the Volunteer Registration Form.
3) After receiving and reviewing references, a screening interview is scheduled to evaluate the candidate’s talents and skills as they apply to Peer Visiting/Volunteering, and determine the applicant’s time commitment, motivation to volunteer, and interpersonal skills.
4) The Coordinator makes a decision utilizing the information gained from the two references, the Volunteer Registration Form, and the screening interview to determine if the applicant is appropriate for the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program. If not, a call is made informing the applicant that his or her services cannot be used at this time.
5) If it is decided that the person is appropriate for the Program, a file is created that will consist of the Volunteer Registration Form, two Volunteer Reference Forms, Peer Visitor/Volunteer Policies (signed and dated), Volunteer Contact Record/Notes, Volunteer Log, and the Letter of Agreement.
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6) An Orientation is scheduled to complete the Volunteer Training Manual. During orientation, the Coordinator will thoroughly explain the philosophy of the CIL, the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Policies (signed, dated and placed in file), and the Peer Visitor/Volunteer Job Description. The volunteer views the Tools For Change: an advocacy video, and is instructed on how to complete the necessary paper work.
7) The Coordinator will then match the Peer Visitor/Volunteer with a suitable Consumer based on needs, leisure interests, nature of disability, age, gender, geographic location, compatible times to meet, and mode of transportation.
8) If there is not a Consumer currently on file that is compatible with the volunteer, the Coordinator will continue to look for a Consumer and keep in contact with the volunteer by making monthly contacts.
9) When a potentially compatible Consumer is on file, a meeting is arranged for the Peer Visitor/Volunteer, Consumer, and the Coordinator. If both the Consumer and Peer Visitor/Volunteer are comfortable with the match, the Letter of Agreement will be completed.
10) Under the direction of the Coordinator, the Consumer and Peer Visitor/Volunteer decide on meeting times and what goals to work towards. The Peer Visitor/Volunteer reports activities and progress with the Consumer on the Contact Notes. The Peer Visitor/Volunteer documents the volunteer hours on the Volunteer Log. The Peer Visitor/Volunteer submits these forms to the Coordinator at the end of each month.
11) When a Peer Visitor/Volunteer decides to end the program, the Coordinator meets with the individual to complete the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program Evaluation. If unable to meet, an Evaluation of the Peer Visiting/Volunteer Program is sent to the Peer Visitor/Volunteer to complete and return to the CIL.