Thank you for your willingness to serve in a volunteer capacity with Connections to support our programs. The agency's mission to "strengthen communities, one youth and one family at a time" has never been more critical, and community support is a huge part of that mission. 

This Agreement outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and understanding of both parties.

Volunteer services are provided freely and without expectation of compensation or benefits. Volunteer understands that this Agreement does not create an employment relationship.

Volunteers agree to perform assigned tasks to the best of their ability, which may include, but is not limited to clerical tasks, answering phones, event preparation, facility maintenance, phone calls, greeting guests/clients, writing cards, etc. Some roles may involve interaction with minors. Volunteers agree to follow all youth protection policies, supervision rules, and reporting requirements. Duties may change based on organizational needs.

The time commitment for each Volunteer will vary depending on their tasks. For those who volunteer on a regular schedule, the days and times of service will be communicated with the Volunteer and Program Leader.

Volunteers will work under the supervision of Program or Department Leadership. All Volunteers are required to participate in an orientation. Additional training may be required if the service involves youth.

Volunteers agree to: 

• Act in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner at all times 
• Follow all agency policies, procedures, and safety rules 
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, staff, youth, and other volunteers 
• Refrain from harassment, discrimination, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or inappropriate behavior 
• Immediately report concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of any youth to a supervisor or designated staff member 

Volunteers may have access to confidential or sensitive information related to the agency, its clients, donors, staff, or programs, including information about minors.  

Volunteers agree to: 

• Keep all client information strictly confidential during and after volunteer service 
• Use confidential information only for authorized volunteer purposes 
• Not disclose information to unauthorized persons, including friends or family
• Comply with all applicable state and federal confidentiality laws, including those protecting minors. This obligation survives the termination of volunteer service, except as required by law. 

Volunteer agrees to use agency property and equipment responsibly and only for authorized purposes.

Volunteers agree to comply with all health and safety requirements. Volunteers acknowledge responsibility for their own health and wellbeing while volunteering.

Volunteers acknowledge that certain roles—particularly those involving contact with youth or vulnerable populations—require background checks, reference checks, or other screenings as permitted by Texas Health and Human Services and Texas law.

Volunteer consents to: 

• Submission of required personal information for screening purposes 
• Ongoing or periodic re-screening as required by the agency. Failure to pass or comply with screening requirements may result in denial or termination of volunteer service. 

Volunteers grant the agency permission to use photographs, video, or audio recordings taken during volunteer activities for promotional or educational purposes, without compensation.

Either the Volunteer or the agency may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice. The agency reserves the right to immediately terminate volunteer service for misconduct or policy violations.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Volunteers release and hold harmless Connections, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims arising from volunteer activities, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct. 

The agency reserves the right to update this policy at any time to ensure continued compliance with state and federal law. 

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand this agreement. I further acknowledge that I will abide by the terms as they are presented.

All volunteers of Connections have the personal, moral and legal responsibility to report 
IMMEDIATELY to a Connections staff member any suspected incident of abuse or neglect of a child in care of Connections. This must also be reported IMMEDIATELY to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1‐800‐252‐5400. 
 
The Texas Family Code, Section 34.01. requires any person “having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect” must report the case. An allegation by a child in resident must be regarded as “cause to believe” and the case reported. Even if the child later says or indicates that the incident did not happen, volunteers are still required to report the incident. 
 
Failure to report a suspected alleged incident of abuse or neglect to a child in care at Connections could result in termination of the volunteer service. Further, failure to report a case of child abuse or neglect is a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1000. 
 
Because licensing requires volunteers to be informed in writing of their responsibility to report immediately any suspected of abuse of neglect to a child in care at Connections to the facility administrator, you are asked to sign below acknowledging receipt of the written notice. 

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand this notice. I further acknowledge that I will abide by the guidelines as they are presented.

Volunteers at Connections Individual & Family Services support youth through supervised, structured activities that promote skill-building, positive social engagement, and personal development.  
 
All unsupervised volunteers must complete agency-required screening and approval processes, which include: 
 

• Completion of a volunteer application 
• Interview or pre-screening process 
• Background checks as required by state regulation and agency policy 
• Verification of qualifications, if applicable 
• Approval by agency administration prior to beginning service 

Volunteers may assist by transporting youth to practice driving, taking youth to church, facilitating life skills lessons or group activities, providing recreational opportunities or meals, and offering mentorship and guidance. Volunteers may also lead or assist with arts and crafts, motivational speaking sessions, workshops, and other enrichment activities that support youth growth, resilience, and independence. All volunteer activities are conducted under the mission of empowering youth in care and contributing to a safe, supportive, and development-focused environment. 

All volunteers must participate in an orientation before beginning service. Orientation will include, at minimum: 

• Agency mission, values, and service approach 
• Relevant policies and procedures 
• Expectations for professional conduct 
• Confidentiality requirements 
• Mandatory reporting obligations 
• Safety expectations and emergency response processes 

Volunteers must not disclose: 

• Information that would identify a child as a trafficking victim 
• Any information describing the child’s trafficking history unless such disclosure is: Necessary to serve the youth, or required by law 
• Disclosure of the operation and/or youth whereabouts to anyone not employed by the agency or required by law. 

Each volunteer must acknowledge that: 

• Volunteers are required by law to immediately report any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to: The Texas Abuse & Neglect Hotline, and the program administrator or designee. 
• Internal policy may not require approval from anyone before making a report. 
• Volunteers may not delegate the duty to report. 

Failure to follow mandatory reporting requirements may result in removal from volunteer service, and/or legal consequences. 

A personnel record will be maintained for each volunteer and will include, at minimum: 

• Completed application and/or screening documentation 
• Orientation documentation 
• Signed confidentiality agreements 
• Signed mandatory reporting acknowledgment 

If applicable, records may also include: 

• Proof of background checks  
• Training records 
• Documentation of supervision, performance notes, or disciplinary action

All volunteer records will be stored securely and maintained according to agency retention requirements. 

Failure to follow volunteer standards may result in: 

• Additional training 
• Modification of duties 
• Revocation of volunteer status 
• Immediate termination of volunteer service 

The agency reserves the right to update this policy at any time to ensure continued compliance with state and federal law. 

Volunteers WILL NOT 

• Exchange phone numbers, email or home addresses, social media accounts, or other personal information with a youth. 
• Disclose, externally, the names or personal information of youth.  
• Take and/or share photos or videos of youth through social media, cell phone, email, or any kind of electronic or physical means. These images could put the youth at risk.  
• Be alone with a youth (unless instituted as a long-term volunteer with a background check on file). If this occurs, the volunteer should remove themselves from the situation and locate a staff member. 
• Enter residential bedrooms. Volunteers are to remain in common areas.  
• Personally lend, give, or buy items for youth. This even applies to small items including money, food, and drinks. Direct all requests to staff. 
• Allow youth to borrow personal phones or other personal items.  
• Deliver messages and/or activities of a religious nature unless at the request of the youth and approval of staff.  

Volunteers WILL 

• Be at least 18 years of age and not enrolled in high school. This applies to volunteering both in and outside of the residential facilities. Visitors younger than 18 may make youth feel uncomfortable, which can cause further tension and heightened behaviors, making the environment unsafe for residents and young guests. This rule exists for the safety and protection of all youth. (Exceptions can be made for volunteers not interacting with youth clients.) 
• Meet youth where they are. Youth who have experienced trauma may face extra challenges interacting with their peers or adults. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to act as a positive, caring, and engaged role model. 
• Avoid corrective measures and do not intervene in an emergency. Staff have the ultimate responsibility in making programming decisions and enforcing rules and appropriate behavior for residents. 
• Only engage in age-appropriate physical contact with youth, such as handshakes, fist bumps, and side hugs. Many residents have not developed appropriate, healthy boundaries, and adult volunteers should follow expectations set forth by staff. 
• Request approval for all activities conducted with the youth.  
   
  
  

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand this agreement. I further acknowledge that I will abide by the guidelines as they are presented.