I’m interested in serving as a volunteer with the Manasota ASALH Freedom School. Fall to Spring and Summer opportunities will be available. The program is being held at Girls Inc., 201 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and classes are held from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to assist with student registration and check-in, preparation and serving lunch, serving as teacher aids, setting up and breaking down the facility each Saturday, and possibly transportation.

Additionally, all volunteers are required to complete a Level 1 background check before they can officially start as volunteers. This can be done through the Office of Community Relations, Sarasota County Schools portal.

Background Check Instructions:

1. Click here to submit your information for the Level 1 Volunteer background check.
2. Choose any of the Booker Schools from the list of organizations.
3. Check the "Volunteer" option in the next section.
4. If your social security number is not accepted, please continue to the end of the process.
5. If you have already received clearance as a school volunteer, please send us a copy of the clearance to mafreedomschool@gmail.com for our records or upload it below along with your volunteer application.

Please provide the following information:

MANASOTA ASALH FREEDOM SCHOOL

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

General Purpose Statement

Manasota ASALH, Inc. seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children who participate in our programs and activities. By implementing the practices below, our goal is to protect the children of the Manasota ASALH Freedom School (MAFS) from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also protecting teachers and volunteers from false accusations.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the terms “child” or “children” include all persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. The term “teacher” includes both paid and unpaid persons who work directly with children. The term “volunteer” means anyone under teacher supervision and within the eye and earshot of a teacher. A volunteer must undergo a Level 1 background check through the Office of Community Relations, Sarasota Schools' Volunteer portal.

Selection of Teachers

All teachers hired by MAFS must meet the State of Florida Statutory Authority, Chapter 1012, Florida Statutes and Rule Authority, Chapter 6A-4, Florida Administrative Code. A consultant, independent contractor, or one who does not meet the Florida requirements of Chapter 1012 and has been invited to provide instructional material shall do so only under the strict supervision of a teacher with pedagogical and relevant subject matter knowledge.

Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse

For purposes of this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) that endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological, or emotional health and development. Child abuse occurs in different ways and includes the following: 

• Physical abuse – any physical injury to a child that is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burning, and biting. 
• Emotional abuse – emotional injury when the child is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling, and persistent teasing. 
• Sexual abuse – any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between a child and another child at least four years older than the victim, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, and pornography.
• Neglect – depriving a child of essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.

Workers or volunteers may become aware of abuse or neglect of the children attending the school. In the event that an individual involved in the care of children at MAFS becomes aware of suspected abuse or neglect of a child under his/her care, this should be reported immediately to the ASALH President or MAFS Program Coordinator for further action, including reporting to authorities as may be mandated by state law.

In the event that an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred during our sponsored programs or activities, the following procedure shall be followed:

1. The parent or guardian of the child will be notified. 
2. The worker or volunteer alleged to be the perpetrator of the abuse or misconduct will immediately be placed on leave pending an investigation and instructed to remain away from the premises during the investigation. He or she should be instructed to have no contact with the victim or witnesses. 
   
   
3. All allegations of abuse should be reported to the civil authorities, and the organization will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of abuse as the law then exists. The organization will fully cooperate with the investigation of the incident by civil authorities. 
   
   
4. The insurance company will be notified, and the organization will complete an incident report. Any documents received relating to the incident and/or allegations will immediately be forwarded to the insurance company. 
   
   
5. MAFS will designate a spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect. The advice of legal counsel will be sought before responding to media inquiries or releasing information about the incident.  All other representatives of MAFS should refrain from speaking to the media. 
   
   
6. Counseling will be arranged for those who desire it for the purpose of providing support during the time of crisis and not for the purpose of investigating the incident or influencing the investigation.  
   
   
7. Anyone alleged to have committed child abuse or misconduct will immediately be removed from their position until a full investigation and a final disposition of the incident and individual have been determined. 

Thank you for your support of the Freedom School. Questions or additional information? Send a message to mafreedomschool@gmail.com.

Please review the welcome letter below and
feel free to download it for your files. 

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