Volunteers are expected to embrace our departmental values of Professionalism, Humility, Diversity, Integrity, Respect and Empathy.

  Volunteer services should enhance and support probation services.

  Volunteers not associated with a specific group/program shall be placed in activities based on the needs of the facility and their interests/capabilities/experiences.

 Volunteers working with youth must ensure behavior and conduct always conforms to the highest standards. Volunteers must always exercise good judgment while working with youth. It is critical that volunteers abide by departmental professional and ethical standards.

Prior to assignment, each volunteer shall complete a facility orientation.   During the orientation, a walk-through of the facility will be scheduled; followed by the volunteer expectations/guidelines, Departmental values, and philosophy and emergency procedures.   All volunteers shall complete PREA training during the orientation. This orientation is scheduled in collaboration with Restorative Partners.

 Volunteers shall be subject to the same standards of dress and behavior as Department employees. Dress and behavior guidelines are provided at the orientation.

Volunteers for the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department may not disclose any information about any youth or person and his or her alleged crimes committed to anyone outside of the Juvenile Hall.  It is also important Volunteers not discuss any incidents that occur while at Juvenile Hall to anyone other than Probation Department employees and on a ‘need to know’ basis.

Volunteers shall give notice to the on-duty supervisor, JSOIII, or acting shift leader regarding any kind of incident(s) involving a youth, staff member or other volunteer and provide written documentation when requested.

All volunteers shall provide the Control JSO with approved photo identification upon entry to the facility. 

Cell phones and other personal items will be locked in a locker or left in the visitor’s car.

A volunteer may not be given any access to photos of activities that include youth detained in the Juvenile Hall, Coastal Valley Academy, or the SOAR program.

A Supervising Deputy Probation Officer (SDPO) will be assigned by the Chief Deputy to be a liaison to Restorative Partners and shall monitor and meet with program coordinator as needed. 

Volunteers serve “at the will” of the Chief Deputy of the Custody Division and may be prohibited from volunteering with reasonable cause based on but not limited to the following:

1. Breach of confidentiality

2. Unlawful conduct

3. Activity that threatens the order/safety/security of the facility

4. Activity that threatens any person’s safety

5. Poor attendance

6. Unsatisfactory or inappropriate service(s)

Volunteer Screening and Approval Process

1. Restorative Partners recruits, screens, and any prospective volunteers.

2. Each person shall be at least 18 years of age.

3. Volunteers shall complete a criminal background conducted by the department, a Live Scan before being approved to volunteer in the Juvenile Hall. 

4. Orientation regarding mandatory reporting pursuant to Section 11166 of the Penal code

Clearing Justice Involved Volunteer

1. Purpose: Having previously justice involved volunteers in the Juvenile Hall and Coastal Valley Academy provide an example of lived experience to our youth.  Their stories and personal experiences of growth, change, and resilience are uniquely powerful coming from individuals who have shared similar backgrounds as the youth we serve.
    
   The following procedure is to ensure proper approval of justice involved individuals coming into the Juvenile Services Center (JSC) as credible mentors/ speakers /volunteers to engage with detained youth in the Juvenile Hall, Coastal Valley Academy and SOAR program. 
     

2. Process
   1. Restorative Partners (RP) staff member notifies the Chief Deputy Probation Officer (CDPO) of the Custody Division a potential volunteer who has been justice involved (e.g. incarceration, parole, probation).  RP will provide full name, date of birth, and CDL of individual to CDPO and explain the nexus of the volunteer’s purpose/role coming into the JSC
   2. If CDPO becomes aware of potential justice involved volunteer from a source other than RP, CDPO will follow the same process as if referral was received from RP 
   3. CDPO requests the Professional Standards Unit (PSU)complete a local criminal check on justice involved individual. 
   4. PSU will provide a summary of the individuals criminal history to the CDPO of Custody Division in an e-mail. 
   5. If the individual is on active probation or parole with a release date, they must be in good standing to move forward in the process and be considered for one-time or ongoing basis.
   6. CDPO determines if individual requires a one-time clearance for a special event (e.g., speakers panel) or consideration for clearance to be an on-going volunteer
   7. IF clearance is for one-time special event, CDPO of custody division will decide as to the appropriateness of the justice involved individual, taking into consideration the criminal offense, probation/parole status, and the contribution they can bring to the youth at the JSC
   8. IF the individual is going to be considered as an ongoing volunteer for a specific program (E.G. creative writing), the CDPO will schedule a meeting with the potential volunteer to determine appropriateness of individual and the specific service, program or activity they intend to present to the youth.
   9. IF CDPO feels the individual is appropriate and youth would benefit from their credible life experience, CDPO will request the PSU to complete a livescan of the volunteer.  The CDPO will summarize the volunteer’s case, and the specific activity they will bring to the JSC, to ACPO/CPO with an email request to authorize ongoing entrance into the Juvenile Hall
   10. The ACPO/CPO will approve or deny the request via email stating whether the Justice Involved Volunteer is cleared to volunteer in the Juvenile Hall or CVA on an ongoing basis
   11. CDPO of the Custody Division will notify the PSU SDPO the final decision by email and copy the Support Services Division CDPO, ACPO and CPO. 
3. Automatic disqualification: Sex Offense Convictions   OR    Child Abuse / Endangerment    Convictions