Volunteer Portal
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What is Childcare? (minimum age: 16)
One of the ways we empower families is by providing educational workshops for parents of children with special needs. When you volunteer for a childcare event, your job is simple – you get to play with and befriend one or more children while their parents attend training classes!
What is Respite? (minimum age: 16)
Respite provides a short period of rest or relief for the parents (or other caregivers) of a child with special needs. When you volunteer for a respite event, you play with and befriend a single child, one-on-one. Should you need anything, a nurse is always on duty to assist.
Other Ways to Volunteer
Our Early Head Start Preschool provides quality childcare for low-income families every weekday from 8 AM to 4 PM. We need classroom volunteers to assist teachers and play with the students. These volunteers are required to have a background check, TB test, and some training, and must commit to at least 15 hours in the classroom. If you are interested in helping in the classroom, contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@kotm.org. Volunteers can also email the volunteer coordinator to arrange a time to clean, do yard work, or discuss group volunteering.
Thank you!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Volunteers will be paired with a child to care for, in a group setting and under the supervision of KOTM Staff. You get to watch over your assigned child, allowing them to play and have fun safely! Volunteers will also help with clean up afterwards.
Our Early Head Start program serves prenatal mothers and children up to the age of 3, and serves to nurture and support children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.
They are hosting a Health Fair Event and Pajama Party and need your help!
Volunteers will be assisting with set-up, serving food, showing families to screening rooms, supervising crafts, and clean-up.
This is a super fun event and volunteers have a great time!
*Food will be provided for volunteers as well.*
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank You for Volunteering!!!
What will I do at Childcare?
During childcare, volunteers and children have open playtime together in a preschool classroom. Volunteers simply interact with the children, meaning you’ll be building with blocks, dressing up, eating delicious imaginary meals, etc. In good weather, we love playing outside. If not enough children show up or we have too many volunteers, you will have the option of going home or helping us disinfect toys and do other projects, if needed.
What will I do at Respite?
At Respite Care, each volunteer is paired with a specific child that they stay with for the night. All the pairs play at the respite location with staff overseeing them. The night largely depends on the child you are paired with and his/her interests and abilities, but it’s likely you’ll do a variety of activities – play in our ball pit and gym room, create with playdough, go outside, watch a movie, etc. If there are extra volunteers, two will be paired to a child.
Is there any training or special orientation needed to volunteer at KOTM?
There is no formal training required. At the beginning of your volunteer shift, staff will review our Rules and Policies with you and provide all important information for your volunteer experience.
None of the volunteer times work for me. Are there any other volunteer opportunities?
Yes! To discuss other volunteer opportunities, call or email the volunteer coordinator at 385-292-5628, volunteer@kotm.org.
I am volunteering for class credit. Can I get my papers signed?
Absolutely. The staff that you’ll work with while volunteering sign papers regularly. If you need a letter on official letterhead, email volunteer@kotm.org.
I need to interview someone for an assignment. Whom should I talk to?
Call or email the volunteer coordinator at 385-292-5628, volunteer@kotm.org
All the volunteering spots are full. When will there be more openings?
The volunteer dates are updated at the beginning of each month to include the next month’s dates. For example, at the beginning of January the dates for all of February will be posted.
I would like to bring a friend with me, but all the spots are filled the night I am volunteering?
If your friend is over 18 years old, you may absolutely bring your friend, and she/he can fill out the volunteer paperwork at the front desk. If you want to volunteer together to watch one child, please let the Volunteer Supervisor or the Respite Care Manager know that you prefer to do that.
May I bring my children?
We ask that volunteers are 12+ years old for childcare and 16+ years old for Respite. We are willing to make exceptions for certain situations, dependent on a variety of factors. If you would like to discuss your situation, please call or email our volunteer coordinator at 385-292-5628, volunteer@kotm.org
May I schedule a group to volunteer?
If you are bringing a group to volunteer at Respite or Childcare, each person needs to sign up individually. This allows us to have the volunteer’s contact information, an emergency contact, and send reminders directly to the volunteer. We’ve also found that people are more committed to coming if they’ve signed up for themselves than if someone else commits them to a group.
If you would like to bring a group to volunteer and Respite or Childcare isn’t the right fit or you have questions, contact the volunteer coordinator at 385-292-5628, volunteer@kotm.org to discuss alternatives. We would love to have your help!
Are there projects that a group can do at another location and then return to KOTM?
We have several projects that can be done outside of KOTM, as needed. Please contact the volunteer coordinator for details at 385-292-5628, volunteer@kotm.org.
Can I perform community service at KOTM?
Yes, but there are some limits. To work with children, our Volunteer Agreement Form states “I affirm that I have never been involved in, charged with, or convicted of: child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, assault, or any illegal sexual or violence related conduct” and “I affirm that in the past year I have not used any illegal drugs or abused alcohol or prescription medications”. If you cannot answer these two questions as yes or can be found on the National Sex Offender Public Website, you cannot work with children or in our facilities. However, you may be eligible to help with projects outside of our facilities, such as advertising our Heber Half: Run for Autism.
Can I do homework while volunteering?
It’s playtime! We hope that you will put away other distractions (phones included) and focus on the people you’re with and your volunteer experience.
Do I need to bring anything or provide any toys, games, snacks, etc.?
KOTM has all the things needed for you to have a successful volunteer experience.
Do I need to wear any special clothing?
Please wear comfortable shoes that you can move around in easily, and please avoid a lot of jewelry that could be grabbed onto by the children or caught on things.
May I bring my service animal?
The children receiving services at KOTM have a variety of health conditions and emotional needs. To avoid any possible complications, we ask that you do not bring your service animal.
Note: If any staff feel that a volunteer is not providing adequate or safe care to the children they are with, or that they are not “of clear mind” (see our Volunteer Agreement Form), Kids On The Move may ask the volunteer to leave.
Volunteer Rules and Policies
IMPORTANT
- Volunteers must be 12 years or older to volunteer in childcare
- Volunteers must be 16 years or older to volunteer in the Respite Care program.
- All minors must have a permission form signed by a parent/guardian prior to their first shift.
- All information obtained while volunteering on behalf of Kids On The Move will remain strictly confidential to ensure the protection and dignity of each participant, family member, and volunteer.
- Stay with your assigned child at all times
- Volunteers are NEVER permitted to be alone with a child.
- Do not take any child to the restroom alone; the KOTM Staff Member will supervise diapering/restroom needs of the children, as applicable.
- Keep staff informed of any needs of the children.
- Make sure the KOTM Staff is there when you release the child to his/her parent.
- Utah State Law requires citizens report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child. Report any suspected abuse to the KOTM Staff Member present.
Professional Conduct and Dress Code
- Volunteers must be of sound mind while providing service at KOTM. Staff members may ask volunteers to leave if they are not providing adequate or safe care.
- No smoking, drug use, or alcohol use on KOTM premises.
- No profanity.
- Clothing should be clean, in good repair, modest, and well fitting. Volunteers may be running around, bending over, etc. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
- Avoid jewelry that can be grabbed onto by the children or caught on things. Avoid extremes in clothing and cosmetics (such as costumes), as they may frighten children.
While With A Child
- Volunteers are NEVER permitted to be alone with a child.
- Do not take any child to the restroom alone; the KOTM Staff Member will supervise diapering/restroom needs of the children, as applicable.
- Stay with your assigned child at all times.
- Keep your child safe and clean.
- Use encouragement rather than competition.
- Please do not talk about children or their disabilities in their presence, even if they can’t talk or hear.
- Please do not use sarcasm or joke inappropriately with the children.
- Refrain from intimate displays of affection among volunteers.
- Avoid having older children sit in your lap. If a child insists on being held, discuss with the KOTM Staff Member.
Infection Control
- Wash hands often, especially after touching a nose or mouth, using the bathroom, before and after handling food, etc.
- Use gloves if touching body fluids (such as wiping a nose).
- Children learn by putting toys in their mouths, toys should be disinfected between children. Please put all toys that need to be disinfected in the sinks located in the rooms. The KOTM Staff Member will disinfect them.
- If you have any allergies to cleaning solutions, notify the KOTM Staff Member.
- Treat all human blood and other fluids as if known to be infectious, and do not touch them. Notify the KOTM Staff Member immediately.
Emergency Procedures
- In case of an emergency, utilize and keep with you the Kids On The Move Emergency Guide hanging in each room.
- Stay with your assigned child and help ensure his/her safety
- Medical Emergencies
- The Staff will ask a volunteer to call 911. The volunteer will remove all other children from the room. Follow the directions of the KOTM Staff Member.
- Watch for: fever, pale color, pain, crying, moaning, groaning, lethargy, loss of consciousness, coughing, signals of allergies (runny nose, sneezing, itching, or swollen eyes), rashes, bruising or bleeding.
- Evacuation Emergencies
- Evacuate by the safest route. Meet on the lawn across the West Parking Lot.
- Clear your area as you leave. Leave with your child and take any other children and volunteers with you.
- Follow the directions of the KOTM Staff Member.
Lifting Techniques—Only lift when absolutely necessary
- Lift with your legs, not with your back
- Keep close to your work
- Don’t twist while lifting
- Never jerk
- Let other muscles help
- Don’t overstrain
- Team lift if necessary
Create Account (cancel)
Your information will be used for statistical and program data purposes only. We will not give or sell your information to any other parties. If you have any questions or comments regarding volunteering, please e-mail us at volunteer@kotm.org or call at 385-292-5628. We welcome any feedback!*Required Fields
