Contact Community Services is Syracuse-area non-profit agency dedicated to supporting the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health of our community.
TELECARE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Maintaining social relationships can become harder as we age. Some obstacles may include death of a spouse or close friends, retirement, or even changes in health or mobility. While there may be many factors to consider, TeleCare strives to overcome these barriers and help our clients build healthy social relationships that make them feel valued. TeleCare is a FREE telephone reassurance program that offers a daily connection and supports caregiving services already in place. Our trained Reassurance Specialists provide friendly calls to seniors and/or those with disability.
The TeleCare program aims to reduce isolation, loneliness, and depression, and help people to remain independent in their homes. Specifically, TeleCare offers:
-Emotional support and a friendly check-in
-Medication reminders
-Well-being checks
-Temporary support upon hospital discharge
TeleCare calls are typically brief and may be up to 10 minutes in length. Our team makes calls 365 days a year between 7am and 10pm. The time and frequency of calls depends on a client’s needs and preferences.
TeleCare provides clients with the comfort of knowing that someone will contact them on a regular basis. It also offers families the peace of mind that their loved ones are being checked on daily. Each client has a safety plan in place and a designated contact is alerted if we are unable to reach a client by telephone.
TELECARE VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION
TeleCare is an extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity! TeleCare volunteers, or Reassurance Specialists, make a difference in the lives of clients by keeping them connected to their community. They are instrumental in ensuring clients feel valued and cared for. Our volunteers have a heart for service and each call is an opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face. Shifts are available 365 days per year and are: 7am-11am, 11am-3pm, 3pm-7pm, and 7pm-10pm. All volunteer training and work is completed at our East Syracuse office.
VOLUNTEER FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Essential volunteer functions
-Support clients by exhibiting strong active listening skills
-Work with staff to ensure that client safety protocols are followed
-Maintain client and colleague confidentiality
-Participate in other continuing education opportunities as offered
-Volunteer requirements
-Age 17+
-Must be reliable and have a sincere desire to help others
-Must show respect and compassion for people affected by mental health conditions and life challenges
-Comfort using a computer and telephone
-Complete confidentiality, active listening, and TeleCare training
-Commit to at least two 4-hour shifts per month and six months of service
TeleCare training
Training to make TeleCare calls is 4-hours and can be done in a single day. It includes shadowing, one-on-one instruction to gain familiarity with active listening and the computer and phone, and making calls under the guidance of a trainer. Once ready to take calls, volunteers continue to be supported by staff during their shifts.
If you have any questions about the position or this application, please contact Kristine Knutson at 315-218-1915 or kknutson@contactsyracuse.org.