faqs for parents
What are the parents’ roles in Community-Based Mentoring?
Inquiries – Inquiries to the program come in various forms, including in–person, telephone, email, and web-based. Brief information will be given to the parent about the agency/programs, expectations, and the application/enrollment procedures. If an application is sent, it must be completed within two weeks, or the youth’s file will be closed. Once an application is received, a Mentoring Coordinator will review it for eligibility. Acceptance/Non-acceptance into the program is not determined until after the in-home interview. Due to the volume of requests, the interview may not occur until there is a potential mentor in the area.
Orientation/Training –
Once a completed application and any other requested information is received, and the child is still determined eligible for an in-home interview, an orientation/training session will be completed over the telephone with the parent. This session will include a more in-depth explanation of the agency/programs and expectations of being involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Key agency/BBBSA requirements, including match support, goal setting, and outcome/survey participation, will also be stressed during the orientation/training.
To keep our volunteers safe, we cannot accept youth who are aggressive, or who are a danger to themselves or others. The youth must want to be in the program and have the ability to form a committed relationship with the Big. The parent/guardian must be able to partner with the Big and the agency, and complete monthly match support to ensure safety and positive outcomes.
Interview/Home Visit –
The Mentoring Coordinator will collect all requested information and have the parent/guardian and child complete required paperwork and interview questions, including required baseline child outcome information to help gain more insight into the child’s needs.
The agency has the right to accept or deny participants or close a match at any time. Parents/Guardians will be provided with an acceptance or non-acceptance letter. Providing a reason for non-acceptance is against our policy.
What are the parents’ roles in School-Based Mentoring?
Inquiries – Inquiries to the program come in various forms – in person, telephone, e-mail, web-based, etc. Brief information will be given to the parent about the agency/programs and expectations. If deemed eligible, an application will be given and requested to be returned to the agency within two weeks. Once an application is received, the Mentoring Coordinator will then contact the elementary school to continue the enrollment process with the child.
Orientation/Training – Once a completed application and any other requested information is received, and the child is still determined eligible, an in-person orientation/pre-match training and interview will be completed with the child. This session will include an explanation of the program and expectations of being involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Key agency/BBBSA requirements, including match support, goal setting, and outcome/survey participation will also be discussed. The Mentoring Coordinator will have the child complete required paperwork and interview questions, including required baseline child outcome information.
Are all children who apply accepted into BBBSLR?
Once all prior enrollment steps are completed, the Mentoring Coordinator will then complete an assessment, make a final determination if the child is appropriate for involvement, and share this information with the Executive Director for approval. The family is notified of the agency’s decision to accept the child into the program, or not. All children who are accepted but cannot be matched immediately are placed on a waiting list.
We match Bigs and Littles based on the child’s interests, needs, and the support the volunteer can provide. A match can happen quickly or can take years, depending on the volunteers we have in the area.
How are volunteers screened?
- Volunteers must be willing to complete the BBBSLR application/orientation/pre-match training process in its entirety.
- Volunteers must be willing to maintain regular contact with the agency, communicate any issues they may have with the match, and complete all other information as required by BBBSLR to maintain compliance with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
- A minimum of three character references (two for School-Based Mentoring) must be submitted and may be in writing or through telephone contact. One shall be from the closest family member, one shall be work-related, and the other shall be from a person other than a family member. Any negative reference may rule out an individual’s participation as a Big Brother/Big Sister.
- References from all youth-serving organizations the volunteer has either worked at or volunteered for in the past five years must be obtained.
- There are background checks that are required by BBBSLR – Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check, Local Criminal History Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, FBI National Criminal History Check, National Sex Offender Registry Check, State Sex Offender Registry Check (Megan’s Law), and Department of Motor Vehicles History Check (Community-Based Only). If any are returned with any records or concerns, the Mentoring Coordinator will discuss the issue with the Executive Director. Further background checks may be completed if determined necessary and with the applicant’s permission.