Program Description:

How does the program work? While participating in Circle of Friends, your child will participate in a variety of life-enriching experiences, academic support, and activities throughout the duration that your child is in our program. Our staff and volunteers go through an extensive background check, in- depth initial training, with monthly training on our core assets.

Your child will work with our dedicated staff and volunteers while participating in enrichment activities designed to help them develop valuable academic, social, and life skills that can assist them in making good choices, developing a strong self-concept, fostering, and maintaining a concern for others, and preparing them for their future success. These activities may include Circle of Friends program activities, tutoring and educational outings such as going to the library and museums.

We believe the children involved in the Circle of Friends program will strive to meet the following goals:

• Social Development
• Learning Success
• Improved Physical & Emotional Health
• Ethical Decision Making

Participation Requirements:

To help ensure the success and participation of your child, we need you as their parent/guardian to agree to some responsibilities that include:

• Respond in a timely fashion to all communication (returning/responding to phone calls, texts, notes, and letters).
• Respond in a timely manner to needed documentation (parent signatures, surveys and feedback forms, etc). 
• Agree to contact Circle of Friends staff in a timely manner if there is a change in your plans and your child is not available for a scheduled activity.

As with any activity, there is always potential risk involved in participation including:

• Many activities arranged by Circle of Friends will include indoor and outdoor recreation. There is always some risk of injury in such activities.
• Many activities will require transportation, which often will be provided by Circle of Friends staff or volunteers. There is always some level of risk in transportation.
• As with schoolteachers, Circle of Friends employees and volunteers are mandatory reporters. If a staff member or volunteer becomes aware of abuse or neglect occurring in the family or community, the staff member of volunteer is required by law to report the information.

Authorization:

By signing below, you agree to allow your child to participate in the Circle of Friends program. It also means that you understand the general program goals and direction, including the possible benefits, activities and risks involved. Lastly, you are agreeing to give permission to Circle of Friends staff to discuss appropriate information regarding your child with the teachers and staff at your child's school. If you change your mind, you are free to withdraw your child from the program at any time.