VOLUNTEER

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AV Needs Volunteers for a Variety of Programs.

Eligibility for each program varies. All volunteers will be interviewed for the program to insure the proper match. References are required for all volunteers, and required quarterly trainings are held for each service program. 

The programs include:
1.School-Based Support Groups for Children and Youth with Family or Loved Ones who are Incarcerated and for Children and Youth in Foster Care: 

These are 1.5 hour, weekly groups at various schools in the LRSD, during the school year. 

Eligibility:  

  • 21 years or older
  • TB test
  • Child Abuse Registry Check
  • Some experience working with vulnerable youth is preferred
  • Excellent communication skills, reliable and punctual
  • Willing to attend a day-long training

2. Kinship Caregiver Support Groups 
These are monthly support group meetings for adult caregivers and three groups of children and youth. 

Eligibility:    

  • 21 years or older
  • TB test;
  • Child Abuse Registry Check;
  • Related experience working with vulnerable children, youth or adults, including seniors.
  • Verbal and /or Facilitator skills will be valued, or child care, teaching background.
  • Once per month, two hour groups in Little Rock, Helena, Fayetteville and Hot Springs areas.
  • Willing to attend day-long training.

3. Forensic Unit Parenting Classes: 

These parenting groups are held one time per week for 45” at the Arkansas State Hospital. 

Eligibility: 

  • 21 years or older
  • MUST have mental health training background, and experience is preferred.
  • Weekly, one-hour customized parenting classes;
  • Facilitator skills and parenting education background preferred;
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Training is for three-months with evaluation before facilitating alone;
  • Hospital requires a day-long training along with AV day-long training;
  • Criminal background check by the hospital is required.

4. Parenting from Jail Classes: 

These parenting groups are held once per week with 45” preparation time and class time of one hour. Classes are held at the Pulaski County Jail. 

Eligibility: 
  • 21 years or older
  • Pass the checks required by the jail
  • Apprenticeship and training for three months before solo facilitation of a parenting class at the jail. The training can also be offered to other groups seeking to serve incarcerated parents of minor-aged children in their local or county jails. Curriculum included.

5. Family Conferencing Services: 

These are conferences held with individual families with an incarcerated parent who is preparing for re-entry into the community and reconnection with their families. Meetings are held with family members and the incarcerated parent within the correctional facilities and also follow release to insure a positive re-entry into the family and community. 
Eligibility: 

  • Experience in working with (often) conflict-ridden families
  • Meeting and drafting co-parenting agreements and with varying ages of children
  • Extensive training in Family Conferencing and Family Decision-Making
  • Conferences are not regular events, but are held when referrals are received.
  • There can be as many as ten FCs over a period of months.
  • Require TB tests
  • Child Abuse Registry check
  • Criminal background does not exclude a volunteer; determined on a case-by-case basis.

Other projects 
for which volunteers are needed, but do not involve client contact include

  • Fundraising
  • Supporting the toll-free WARM Line providing information to families and can be done from home (training required)
  • Reception and phone services
  • Clerical and computer services
  • Special events
  • Public awareness events
  • Panel presentations
  • Trainings
  • Speaker’s Bureau for volunteers impacted by incarceration