Volunteer

Volunteers are key to the 4-H program. They enable the 4-H program to grow and thrive. These individuals donate their time, efforts and skills so that the Sedgwick county 4-H program can excel. Staff and parents trust these volunteers to have the best interests of young people at heart.

Safety of young people is shared responsibility between volunteers, Extension staff, K-State Research and Extension, and the state. We need to do our best to protect young people through the implementation of a youth protection system. In Kansas, the youth protection system is the Kansas 4-H Volunteer Screening process.

Steps to become a Sedgwick County Registered 4-H Volunteer:

1.If your family uses the Kansas 4-H Online system at https://v2.4honline.com, you already have a family account.
Login to your family and add yourself as a new family member if you don’t already have an adult profile. If your family has never used 4-H Online, you will need to create a new family account before creating an adult profile for yourself. The following resource may assist you: New Adult Volunteer Enrollment
2. Complete the Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation available through Kansas 4-H Online or in person through your local Extension office.
3. After completing the Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation, notify your local Extension office about completing the training and schedule an interview appointment.
4. Contact your local Extension office to get started on the required Criminal background check.

Once you are a Registered Volunteer

• Resource information link for re-enrolling as a 4-H volunteer.
• A CBC will be required every 3 years.

Who Must Complete the Volunteer Screening Process?

A volunteer, adult or teen, with authority to independently plan and conduct educational experiences for youth with other adults present or in a public setting OR a volunteer whose position puts them in close, ongoing, one-to-one interaction with youth must complete the VIP process.

Volunteer roles include, but are not limited to, judging team coach, community leader, organizational leader, project leader, camp counselor, camp assistant, Discover Days or other event chaperone, exchange trip chaperone, chauffeur for any 4-H activities, and county-wide project leader.

Volunteers who do not fit into one of the above criteria would be considered episodic and do not need to complete the screening.

Costs

The National Criminal Background Check (CBC) cost (as of August 1, 2014) is $22.50 for the first time it is conducted on a volunteer, $16.50 for all subsequent checks (every three years). At this time, these costs are covered by funding from Sedgwick County Extension Council, so there is no charge to volunteers.

The Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check is free, the $10 fee is waived because Kansas 4-H is a Kansas Mentor Organization.