Foster Grandparent Program
The Foster
Grandparent Program of theConcho
Valley was founded in 1997.
It
is federally funded by the Corporation for National Service, and is sponsored
locally by the Concho Valley Council of Governments. The program is designed to
provide meaningful volunteer assignments for older individuals. Foster
Grandparents serve 20 hours per week providing support and companionship to
special and exceptional needs children in educational, daycare, juvenile and
community center settings.
Vision Statement
The Foster Grandparent Program of the Concho Valley Council
of Governments is to be the focal point through which the experience, talents
and energy of adults 60 years of age or older, are utilized as a positive
influence for special and exceptional needs children, "at-risk" youths, and as a
role model for the community at large.
The
Foster Grandparent Program of the Concho Valley Council of Governments is to be
the focal point through which the experience, talents and energy of adults 60
years of age or older, are utilized as a positive influence for special and
exceptional needs children, "at-risk" youths, and as a role model for the
community at large. FGP and Partnership Information
Foster Grandparent Program Information
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) was established in
August 1965 to provide older adults with a useful way to serve their communities
in the retirement years, and to give them the satisfaction that comes from being
needed and serving others. The program also provides a source of individual
attention and personalized care to children with special needs, to help these
children grow physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally.
One of three programs that make up the "Senior Corps,"
the Foster Grandparent Program is administered and funded by the Corporation for
National and Community Service (CNCS). This federal volunteer agency organizes
its' programs into three streams of service: The National Senior Service Corps;
Learn and Serve America; and Americorps.
In January 2002, President Bush called for the creation of the "Freedom
Corps" to enlist Americans in public service at home and abroad. Initially,
three service efforts will make up the Freedom Corps. The newly created Citizen
Corps, Americorps and Senior Corps (CNCS), and the Peace
Corps.
Partnership Information
An FGP volunteer station is a public agency, private
non-profit organization, or proprietary health-care agency or organization that
accepts the responsibility for assignment and supervision of Foster Grandparents
in health, education, welfare, or related settings.
The
types of agencies or organizations serving children which may be volunteer
stations, include but are not limited to: Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities,
Teen Pregnancy Programs, Mental Health Facilities, Shelters, Head Start Centers,
Juvenile Corrections Programs, Hospices, Developmental Disability Centers,
Rehabilitation Centers,
Home Health Care Providers, Day Care Centers, Before/After School Programs,
Educational Pre-Schools,
Public/Private Schools, Courts.
Eligibility
Foster Grandparents must be 60 years of age or older and
have an interest in working with children. In order to receive a stipend and
transportation reimbursement, individuals must meet income eligibility
guidelines. Up to 50% of out of pocket medical expenses may be deducted from
total income to determine eligibility.
Family Units of:
|
One |
Two |
Three |
Four |
|
$12,250 |
$16,500 |
$20,750 |
$25,000 |
For
family units with more than four members, add $3975 for each additional member.
Benefits and Duties
Benefits
As a Foster Grandparent
volunteer you receive:
-
A $2.65 hourly stipend. By federal law the stipend is
not subject to tax or garnishment. It also does not reduce or eliminate the
level of, or eligibility for, assistance or services a Foster Grandparent may
be receiving under any governmental program, including: unemployment
insurance, worker's compensation; temporary disability, retirement, public
assistance or similar benefit payments or minimum wage laws.
-
On-the-job excess accident, liability and auto
liability insurance. -
Mileage reimbursement or transportation assistance.
-
Daily meal provided by volunteer station, when
possible. -
Accrued paid vacation and sick leave.
-
Annual physical examination.
-
Recognition. -
Pre-assignment training plus ongoing monthly training
at in-service meetings.
Duties
As a Foster
Grandparent, your duties include:
-
Volunteering 20 hours a week for a total of 1,044 hours
per year. -
Spending
one-on-one time with children in a supervised setting.
If
you are interested in applying to be a Foster Grandparent click here for an
application.
Areas Served and Volunteer Sites
Areas Served
Counties served by the
FGP of theConcho
Valley include: Coke, Concho,
Crockett, Irion, Kimble, Mason, Menard, McCulloch, Reagan, Schleicher,
Sterling, Sutton and Tom Green.
Communities served by the FGP of the
Concho
Valley include:
Eden, Paint Rock, Bronte, Robert
Lee, Ozona, Mertzon, Junction, Mason, Menard,
Brady, Big
Lake, Eldorado,
Sterling
City,
Sonora,
Carlsbad and
San
Angelo.
Current Volunteer Sites
San
Angelo:
Alta
Loma Elementary
Austin Elementary
Belaire Elementary
Blackshear
Head Start
Boys & Girls Club- North
Boys & Girsl Club -
South
Bradford Elementary
Carver Learning Center
Crockett Elementary
Day Head
Start
Eden Elementary
Fannin
Elementary
Fort Concho Elementary
Glenmore Elementary
Goliad
Elementary
Holiman Elementary
Lamar Elementary
McGill
Elementary
Reagan Elementary
Region Day School
Rio Vista
Head Start
San Angelo State
School
San Angelo Day Nursery
San Jacinto Elementary
Santa Rita
Elementary
Tom Green County Library
|
Big
Lake:
Head Start
Reagan County
Library
Brady:
Brady
Elementary
Head Start
Bronte:
Elementary
School
Junction:
First Baptist Daycare
Junction Head Start Center
Menard:
Head
Start
Mertzon:
Mertzon
Head Start
Ozona:
Ozona Head Start Center
Community
Center
Robert
Lee:
Elementary
School
Sonora:
Sonora
Elementary |
Q. Will the stipend affect my status for
low-income housing/SSI/Social Security?
A. No. FGP is a federally funded program designed to help
seniors who are assisting their community by nurturing special needs children.
Q. Where will I be placed?
A. Sites are chosen by the following criteria.
-
Proximity to Foster Grandparent's home/transportation
issues. -
Age/type of needs children the Foster Grandparent would
like to serve. -
Languages spoken by the Foster
Grandparent/children. -
Educational background of Foster
Grandparent. -
Where there is a placement need.
Q. What are the hours of service?
A. Service hours are defined by site need (e.g., schools
generally include morning hours; community centers in the afternoon.)
Q. Must I have an education to participate in the
program?
A. No. There are no educational requirements to
participate in the program.
Q. Am I too old to participate in the
program?
A. No. The only age requirement is that you must be at
least 60 years old.
*
Eligibility to be a Foster Grandparent shall not be restricted on the basis of
education, experience, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, handicap,
sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
Contact
Us
Foster
Grandparent Program
P.O. Box 60050
2801 W.
Loop 306, Suite A
San
Angelo,
Texas 76906
(325) 223-5704 or toll free (877)
944-9666
sylvia@cvcog.org
|
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