NCJ Number
67764
Date Published
1979
Length
28 pages
Annotation
DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES WITHIN THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF OFFENDER REHABILITATION (DOR) ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
A REVIEW OF THE STATE'S PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH VOLUNTEER SERVICES, BASED ON A 1974 EVALUATION, OPENS THE DISCUSSION. THE ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES WITHIN DOR IS DESCRIBED, AS ARE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE LIMITED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SERVICES. FEATURES OF AN IDEAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ARE NOTED, PARTICULARLY THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS IN WHICH A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM RECEIVES AGENCY INPUT AS IT MOVES TOWARD INDEPENDENCE THROUGH PLANNED STAGES. A MODEL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN COBB COUNTY, GA., WHERE 50 VOLUNTEERS SERVE 300 PROBATIONERS AS COUNSELORS AND ADVOCATES, IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPING A STATEWIDE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM -- STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, REGIONAL COORDINATION, VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY, VARIETY IN PROGRAMMING, PROVISION OF INSURANCE AND LEGAL PROTECTION TO VOLUNTEERS, AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION -- ARE DISCUSSED. CONCLUSIONS ARE DRAWN ABOUT TRENDS IN VOLUNTEERISM, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE OFFERED.