Teaming Up for Safety's
Sake

JUSTICE/COMMUNITY SERVICES/HEALTH--Teaming Up for Safety's Sake

Non-profit groups will have an opportunity to learn how to screen volunteers, thanks to a partnership between four government bodies and the Volunteer Resource Centre.

The departments of Health, Community Services and Justice and the Sport and Recreation Commission have contributed $32,000 to the Volunteer Resource Centre to conduct training workshops on the screening process.

The workshops will outline 11 steps to screening and will focus on the importance of screening volunteers working with children and other vulnerable groups. The workshops, co-ordinated through the Volunteer Resource Centre, will be conducted throughout the province.

In April of last year, the Department of Justice -- with police agencies and the Volunteer Resource Centre -- developed a protocol to assist volunteer agencies obtain a criminal records check in appropriate cases. The criminal records check is just one component, though an important one, in the screening process.

The workshops will show that an effective screening process has many elements, including a job design and a complete job description. Effective screening also encourages the use of application forms and a recruitment process.

Volunteer agencies should conduct comprehensive interviews and reference checks, along with checks of police records. The volunteer should receive orientation and training, coupled with supervision, evaluation and followup.

"The screening process is vital to the safety and security of both volunteers and the agencies that engage them," said Janet Henstock, education co-ordinator of the Volunteer Resource Centre. "We are delighted funding has been provided so that we may continue to educate organizations on the importance of an effective screening process."

The first workshop will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, at the CNIB Auditorium, 6136 Almon St., Halifax. For information on other workshops, contact the Volunteer Resource Centre at 902-423-1368.