Sharing resources between Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs
Abstract
Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs often recruit from the same pool of potential volunteers and face similar training and programming issues. The Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs in Savannah, Georgia, work closely together on recruitment, training, and management issues to make it easier for volunteers and directors.Issue
The Foster Grandparent Program and Senior Companion Program reach out to many of the same senior volunteers but operate two separate programs. This practice suggests collaborating and sharing volunteers, training, and resources to make it easier for volunteers and directors.Action
The director of the Foster Grandparent Program of Economic Opportunity in Savannah, Georgia, collaborates with the director of the Senior Companion Program of Senior Citizens in the following ways:- Serve on each other's advisory council or advisory board.
- Conduct joint trainings to save time. The Senior Companion Program director plans a training in April and the Foster Grandparent Program director plans a training in the fall.
- Conduct joint in-service trainings and recognition events so volunteers are familiar with both directors.
- Share files, when appropriate, and use the same forms for physical exams, income verification, and beneficiary information.
- Follow similar procedures outlined in the volunteer handbook, to make it easier for volunteers who switch from one program to another.
- Share applications of prospective volunteers. If one director is not in need of additional volunteers, the application is faxed to the other director.
- Market for both programs. During the volunteer interview, directors talk about each program to ascertain the best program to fit a volunteer's need. Also, during media interviews, directors talk about both programs for double exposure.
- Visit each other's sites as an opportunity to do mini-compliance evaluations.
Outcome
The collaboration between the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion program has saved time, money and increased the scope of resources available to the programs. Less time is spent on recruitment and training, allowing the directors more time to explore other endeavors to strengthen their programs.
For example, the directors are able to use a resource center for in-service meetings at no cost and use the same clinic for physicals and receive in-kind credit. All their volunteers receive free physicals at no cost to the volunteers or the program.
The practice has resulted in financial savings as well. The directors wrote a joint grant and received $1,500 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day from the Georgia commission. They also save money by printing joint local brochures and have saved money on other marketing tools. They have had T-shirts printed together and saved money by using the same screen and by purchasing a large quantity.
The Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions also join RSVP on special projects.
The practice also has helped the directors provide advocacy and support to the volunteers by sharing resources of benefit to seniors.
The collaboration was easily implemented because both programs follow the Corporation for National and Community Service's rules and policies. On issues determined by the sponsor, the directors collaborate on the best practice to implement. Also, the directors are familiar with each other's program and have participated in each other's annual program evaluation.
Posted On
February 14, 2001For More Information