Opinions on volunteer opportunity

[LisaR]

I came across a position that intrigues me but I have a concern. From what I am understanding, volunteers become liaisons for children who are having family issues and are being monitored by the courts. An example she gave was a child may have been removed from his/her mother and now the mom has regained custody. The volunteer would meet with the child once a month to get a feel for how things are going. The volunteer would also contact others involved in the child's life to make sure they feel things are going well (teachers, doctors, physical therapists, etc). All of this information is logged and put in the child's file. If there are any court appearances, the volunteer would need to attend. She said the volunteer represents "the voice of the child." You receive 30 hours of training. It should only require 5 -6 hours of time a month.

Here is the part that concerns me: Once a month, the volunteer would be required to make a surprise visit to the child's home to make sure all was well. Most of these cases involve abuse or drugs. I am concerned about what I may be walking in on. This seems like it is a little too much to ask of volunteers.

I would really like to do this. I would love to help out the children. I have always been interested in the court system.

Am I over thinking this? Does this sound relatively safe or am I right to have concerns? Thanks for your opinions.

Lisa

 

[Stacerita]

I would really look into this more and get the full scoop on it.

It seems like a lot of responsibilty and a lot of work for 30 hours of training. And surprise home visits dont sound like something a volunteer should be doing. That sounds more like a job of a social worker or special case worker. People being checked on because of their parenting or other actions which caused issue with their child might take things wrong when you "surprise" them at home. Or if they lose custody because of something you see on your visit they may blame you. I would talk to those close to me and get a feel for what they think as well. This could be a potentially dangerous situation that you may be going into.

Another thing to think about is the attachment you might get to the children and how that might blur whats best for them and what you want. When I was very young my mother worked with the Child Protective Services and there were a few times when kids would be at our home in the morning when I woke up. She would make a surprise visit, and things wouldn't go as planned so the kid needed a place to stay till things worked out. There were quite a few that spent more than one visit with us. She got quite attached to these kids and it was hard for her to see them go home, especially if the arangement wasn't perfect.

I think its great you want to be a liasion, but really give it some more thought. Talk to others who are already doing it. Get a lot more information about it. And talk with those close to you and they will know better about how your reaction to it will be.

Good luck no matter what you decide.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks for the response. It struck me as the job description of a social worker handled by a volunteer. DH wasn't thrilled about the surprise visit part of it either. I have one month until the training starts so I am going to dig deeper before making a commitment.

Lisa

 

[laurie31]

It struck me as the job description of a social worker handled by a volunteer.

That's my take too. I know someone who dies this here and she basically accompanies the children to visit the parent when "supervised visitation" is ordered.

I would be very concerned about the surprise visits. That doesn't sound like something a volunteer should be doing.

I would also be concerned about how much training (and maybe training isn't the right word) but information about how you will cope with the situations you become involved in. Some children are subjected to things Steven King couldn't make up and others are used as pawns in nasty divorces. It can be very heartwrenching to learn the specifics of such things. I don't mean to deter you, as kids in bad situations need all the help they can get, but make sure you know what you're getting into.

Laurie

 

[ChrisnSteph]

This sounds like the job description of a licensed social worker. Nothing at all against you, but I find it a little unsettling that they would give this much responsibility to a volunteer with only 30 hours of training. The fact that they would allow this person to provide documented opinions on the family situation, represent the child and make house visits is unbelievable. Like the previous poster said, I would look into it further, talk to others who volunteer and get more information. Personally I don't blame your dh for being concerned about the surprise home visits. That puts you in a position of being the potential target of a disgruntled family member, and for being a volunteer position with only 30 hours of training, you might want to consider if the risk is worth it. Good luck with your decision!

 

[golfgal]

I have a friend that does this but it is a paid position with a lot more then 30 hours of training. She isn't a social worker but she works for the court system. I don't think this is a "volunteer" type position.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Google "guardian ad litem," this sounds like the volunteer position you heard about. I have known a couple of people who were guardian ad litem volunteers. One was a social worker and one was a retired teacher. This is a very intense volunteer experience!

 

[marlasmom]

This is exactly what I do. I assume you will be part of CASA as a guardian ad litem. There is another DISer here who is also a GAL and I will put you in touch with her if you like. I would not be too worried about your safety. If there are drugs or abuse involved the children will have been removed to a relative or foster home. The visits don't have to be "surprise." May I ask what area of the country you are talking about?

It can be very very frustrating. I have a case where the mother has visited the children 4 times since last August and the father hasn't visited at all. The last time the mother visited she may have stolen a camera. The parents aren't doing anything to help themselves - drug abuse, no job, no place to live. However from when I first saw the children - filthy, greasy hair, bad complexions, underweight, afraid to lift their eyes from the floor to now - it's a true miracle. They are clean, friendly and very attached to their caregiver who is a wonderful woman.

I have another case where the mother really does love her baby, but she is only 17 and very immature. She listens to what the court tells her to do and then does what she damn pleases. Sometimes I just want to choke her.

No one is threatening to me at all. They know I am there under court order. You will also have permission to meet with teachers, pastors, doctors, anybody involved with the child and they are always welcoming and helpful.

You do grow attached to the kids - and btw you can see them more frequently than once a month if you want and sometimes that's a good thing to do. You get the training on the job but mostly it's a matter of caring and common sense. In theory the court will listen to your recommendations more closely since you will probably have more contact with the child than the overworked social worker.

I keep saying "if I can help one child" and I think I have in one case, but not as much as I want to. I have spent some sleepless nights. You will see things and hear things that will upset you greatly. They will start you off with easy cases, but my first "easy" case turned horrible within 2 months.

You seem like a very caring lady and I am pleased that you are considering it so carefully. GALs are desperately needed. If you want more info or just to chat pm me and pm me if you want me to put you in touch with the other GAL on this board. If she reads it she will probably contact you.