Foster the Family Pinellas/Pasco County Volunteer Application

* If you do not live in one of the cities/counties listed above that Foster the Family Florida serves,  please email Kim Peralta at kim.peralta@fosterthefamily.org before moving on with the application. Thank you!

To learn more about the work of Foster the Family Florida, understand the different opportunities to serve in our organization, and training procedures, please read the Volunteer Opportunities Packet. Then let us know which opportunities you would like to be involved with.

Foster the Family's Volunteer Handbook provides agency guidelines for conduct, procedures, and policies to protect you, our volunteer. It also ensures that you understand your role & responsibility as a volunteer of Foster the Family Florida. After reading our Volunteer Handbook if you have any questions or need any clarification on the information, please contact us at kim.peralta@fosterthefamily.org.

Background Clearance

All employees/volunteers of Foster the Family Florida are subject to background clearances as required and/or determined. Volunteers for all positions, working directly with foster families or children, are required to undergo a background/criminal records check prior to beginning service. Current foster parents are not required to be background checked, as the status of a licensed Foster Parent verifies safety. However, we will need to verify your license, please provide proof below. Foster the Family Florida covers the cost of all background record checks for volunteers.  

The following information and authorization are necessary to be cleared for volunteering, in place of background clearance.

ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED IS CONSIDERED TO BE CONFIDENTIAL. 

I certify that I am a licensed Foster Parent by signing below and attaching my current Foster Family License or other relevant verification to verify my safety and clearance to volunteer for Foster the Family.

Driver's License and Auto Insurance

Foster the Family Florida volunteer drivers use their own insurance coverage when driving their own automobiles, as stated in the Volunteer Handbook. Even if you are not a FosterCare Package Volunteer, we often have other opportunities throughout the year that would require driving; in order to participate in any of these opportunities, you must submit the following: a copy of your current driver’s license and a copy of your current auto insurance card. Please upload these documents below. Driving policies and procedures are found in the Volunteer Handbook on page 8, if you have any questions or concerns regarding these documents please email Kim Peralta at kim.peralta@fosterthefamily.org.

Photo, Video, Internet Release

I, {name117}, acknowledge that Foster the Family Florida will be taking photographs or videos of any volunteers engaged in any activities within Foster the Family and I agree to allow Foster the Family Florida to use any photos or videos on their Facebook & Instagram pages, Foster the Family's website, and/or any other additional publications. I also, hereby give permission for any images, captured during any volunteer opportunities to be used for the purposes of Foster the Family and I waive any rights of compensation or ownership.

I, the undersigned, hereby release and agree to hold harmless the Foster the Family Florida, its members, affiliates, and employees or loaned executives of any and all liability that could possibly be incurred as a result of my negligence, intentional or unintentional, during the commission of my responsibilities as a volunteer for Foster the Family Florida.
 
I further release and hold harmless Foster the Family Florida, its members, affiliates, and employees or loaned executives of all liability with regard to any physical or emotional harm that I may sustain during the time I volunteer at the Foster the Family Florida, or as a result of my participation in the project as a volunteer, or in any other activity sanctioned by Foster the Family Florida.

Additionally, I agree to the following:

• My role is as a volunteer, and, as such, I will receive no financial reimbursement for services rendered.
• I have read and understand the Volunteer Handbook, agree to complete the required training and will commit to a minimum of six months of my assigned volunteer role. 
• I will bring to the attention of Foster the Family Florida staff any information or questions that arise of a legal nature.
• I recognize that any and all information shared with me as part of my duties as a volunteer is confidential and shall not be divulged to unauthorized individuals, agencies, or organizations.
• I will not copy, transcribe, record, or memorize confidential information in any manner, nor disclose or use such information for any purpose other than for the limited purpose of providing the assigned services at Foster the Family Florida.
• I understand the sensitive nature of serving foster families and children and will not share names, history, locations, or information of any kind regarding a foster family, home, or child.
• I will not take or share any photos of the foster family, home, or child, unless under direction from a Foster the Family Florida Staff.

THIS AGREEMENT shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.

I have had the opportunity to read and understand the release and acknowledge that by signing the document, I am waiving certain legal rights in the event of injury. BY SIGNING BELOW, I accept and agree to the terms contained above.