DALLAS COUNTY
JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
Dr. Terry S. Smith
Director Juvenile Services
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Dr. Jerome McNeil Juvenile Detention Center – Charlotte Edney, Superintendent
2600 Lone Star Drive, Box 11 Dallas, Texas 75212
WELCOME VOLUNTEER’S
On behalf of Dallas County Juvenile Department and the Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr.
Juvenile Detention Center’s Superintendent, Charlotte Edney and the Administrative
Team, we would like to WELCOME and thank you for your interest in volunteering to
make a difference in the lives of our youth.
Our Mission – “Kid’s First!” Thank you making this your mission, too. Volunteers
provide many intangible benefits, making it difficult to quantify the value of your time and
programs. Therefore, your commitment and dedication is vital. Our youth look forward
to your visits and your never-ending message of encouragement – that they still have a
chance. Your program/services provide them with a tangible gift of “hope and
possibilities” – Thank you!
Again, thank you for joining our Volunteer Program and accepting all of the
responsibilities that come with it. Know that your time and efforts are greatly
appreciated. Should you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact
us.
With warm regards,
Cynthia Wallace
Program Coordinator
214.698.4431
Jacquline Jackson
Assistant Program Coordinator
214.698.5588
VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1977
I.
Introduction
In 1997, Congress passed the Volunteer Protection Act. Its goal was to encourage individuals
to offer their time and energy to both public and private nonprofits organizations. Congress felt
that without risk of tort liability, more individuals would volunteer. The Act preempts all state
charitable and immunity statues, but no in all cases. If a state charitable and immunity statue
provides more protection to the Volunteer, that portion of the stature is not preempted. In
addition, a state can elect to opt out of the statute.
II.
Liability for Volunteers
Section 4 of the Act states that a volunteer of a nonprofit organization or governmental entity will
not be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the volunteer on behalf of the
organization or entity if.
(1)
(2)
The volunteer was acting within the scope of the volunteer’s responsibilities in
the nonprofit organization or governmental entity at the time of the act or
omission.
If appropriate authorities for the activities or practice in the State in which the
harm occurred, where the activities were or practice was undertaken within the
scope of the volunteer’s responsibilities in the nonprofit organization or
governmental entity. 42U.S.C.A*14504
However, protection is not absolute. An individual will not be immune from liability if the action
was willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or conscious, flagrant
difference to the right or safety of the individual harmed. In addition, immunity does not apply if
the harm was due to the volunteer operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicles
which the state requires a license. Another exception exists when a volunteer commits a crime
of violates any of the Federal or State civil rights laws, or where the volunteer was under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
Punitive damages have also been limited by the Act. Punitive damages will not be awarded
unless the person injured establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the volunteer’s
actions, “constitutes willful or criminal misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the
rights or safety of the individual harmed.” In addition, non-economic damages are limited in that
joint and severable liability is not allowed under the statue.
III.
Effect on Legal Professionals
Legal professionals such as attorneys, legal secretaries, court reporters, and clerk who donate
their legal expertise to nonprofit organizations wonder how this statue will affect them. Legal
professionals who perform legal activities in which they are properly licensed will be immune
services be held liable for his or her actions. For example, what happens if an attorney who is
donating his time to a nonprofit organization, gives an individual inaccurate legal advice, the
attorney will probably be immune from liability. An example when the liability would occur is
when the attorney’s advice was such that any reasonable person would be known it was
improper. This applies to all professionals. Therefore, if the professional is acting in good faith,
with the intent to provide accurate information, the professional will probably be immune under
the Act.
Volunteer Agreement
Dallas County Juvenile Department
I, ___________________________, a volunteer in the Dallas County Juvenile
Department program located in Dallas, Texas, do understand and agree to the
following:
That neither the Dallas County Juvenile Department (DCJD) nor Dallas County will be
liable for injuries sustained by me;
I will abide by all local, state, and federal laws and DCJD policies related to my
volunteer activity and to the security and confidentiality of records and information of
youth detained in Dallas County Juvenile Center and youth under the jurisdiction of the
Juvenile Justice System;
I will consider information that is shared with me, or discussed in my presence
regarding a youth in Detention and youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice
system to be subject to all local, state, and federal laws, and DCJD policies and will not
disclose the information to any unauthorized person. I agree to maintain the
confidentiality of youth and their families;
I understand that observance to this agreement is mandatory and any breach of
confidentiality will result in dismissal from the program, but not limited to;
I understand that taking photographs of the youth or their family will result in
dismissal from the program, but not limited to;
I agree to report to Dallas County Juvenile Department any information related to
detained youth and youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice System who are
being abused or are abusive and/or knowledge of youth harming them self or someone
else.
_________________________________
(Print) Name of Volunteer
______________________________
Signature of Volunteer
________________________
Date
2600 Lone Star Drive • Dallas, Texas 75212 • 214.698.4431 • 214.698.5510 Fax
DALLAS COUNTY JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
Code of Ethics for Interns and Volunteers
Code of Ethics. All volunteers and interns will adhere to the following Texas Juvenile
Justice Department Code of Ethics. Failure to do so may result in but not limited to
dismissal of programs. All employees, interns, contract employees and volunteers will
receive training on the TJJD Code of Ethics.
(1). Juvenile Department Interns and Volunteers shall:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
(I)
(J)
(2).
Respect the authority and follow the directives of the court,
Respect and protect the civil and legal rights of all children and their
parents/guardians;
Serve each child with concern for the child’s welfare and with no purpose of
personal gain;
Encourage relationships with colleagues of such character to promote mutual
respect within the profession and improvement of its quality of service;
Respect the significance of all elements of the justice and human services
systems and cultivate a professional cooperation with each segment;
Respect and consider the right of the public to be safeguarded from Juvenile
delinquency;
Be diligent in their responsibility to record and make available for review any
and all information which could contribute to sound decisions affecting a child or
the public safety;
Report without reservation any corrupt or unethical behavior which could affect
either a child or the integrity of the facility;
Maintain the integrity of private information and not seek personal data beyond
that needed to perform their responsibilities, nor reveal case information to
anyone not having proper professional use for such;
Abide by all federal, state, and local laws and Commission standards.
Juvenile Department Interns and Volunteers shall not:
(1) Use official position to secure privileges or advantages;
(2) Make statements critical of colleagues or their facility unless these are verifiable and
constructive in purpose;
(3) Permit personal interest to impair the objectivity which is to be maintained in their
official capacity;
(4) Accept any gift or favor that implies an obligation that is inconsistent with the free and
objective exercise of professional responsibilities;
(5) Maintain an inappropriate relationship with juveniles residing in the facility or under
the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. An inappropriate relationship can include but is not
limited to bribery, solicitation or acceptance of gifts, favors, or services from juveniles or
their families, and the appearance of an inappropriate relationship;
DALLAS COUNTY JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
Code of Ethics for Interns and Volunteers
(6) Not discriminate against any employee, prospective employee, child, child care
provider, or parent on the basis of age, race, sex, creed, disability, or national origin;
(7) Engage in behaviors which misuse fiscal or business office practices or materials
belonging to the facility including but limited to: falsifying time sheets, theft or misuse of
office supplies, use of facility property for personal use, and use of personal affects or
funds belonging to a resident of the facility or child under the jurisdiction of the juvenile
court;
(8) Be designated as subject of investigation in a TJJD child abuse and neglect
investigation conducted under the authority of Texas Family Code Chapter 261, and Title
37 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 358;
(9) Interfere with or hinder a child abuse and neglect internal investigation conducted
under 351.4(c) or a TJJD child abuse and neglect investigation conducted under the
authority of Texas Family Code Chapter 261, and Title 37 Texas Administrative Code
Chapter 358, or any criminal investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency; and
(10) Neither deliver into nor remove from the grounds of a juvenile detention center any
item or contraband and shall not exercise possession or control of any item of
contraband while on juvenile detention center facility grounds.
I have read/understand the Code of Ethics as it relates to me as a volunteer/intern.
Name – print legibly
Date
Signature
DETENTION VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
Volunteer’s Name: _________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(MI)
Volunteer Orientation Training: Month: _______ Day: _____ Year: _______
Date of Background Check: Month: ___________ Day: _________ Year: _________
Street Address: ______________________________________________
City: __________________ State: ____________ Zip Code:
Home Number: __________________ Cell Number:
Email:
We may contact the following person(s) in case of an emergency:
#1
Contact Person Name: ____________________________________________
(Last)
Relationship: ___________________
(First)
Contact Number:
Alternate Contact Number:
#2
Contact Person Name: ____________________________________________
(Last)
Relationship: ___________________
(First)
Contact Number:
Alternate Number:
I authorize Dallas County to notify the above individuals in the event of an emergency.
Volunteer’s Signature: __________________________ Date: _______________
JUVENILE DETENTION VOLUNTEER INFORMATION FORM
Volunteer’s Name:
Birthday
Month/Date
Name of your Group/Organization:
Name of your Group Leader(s):
Group/Organization:
(Address)
(City, State, Zip)
(Phone)
(Fax)
Group/Organization:
Program/Services Provided
Day of the Week/Time of Program: (please check all that apply)
M
T
W
TH
Time:
F
S
Su
(please indicate AM/PM)
Program/Services: (please print legibly). Provide details of your program(s) and or
service(s); If you have not done so, please submit a type written copy of your
curriculum/ministry outline (if applicable).
Have you completed and signed off on the following documents: (please initial)
Code of Ethics
Emergency Contact
Volunteer Agreement
Agreement to Enter Facility
Dr. Terry S. Smith
Director Juvenile Services
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
DALLAS COUNTY
JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
Dr. Jerome McNeil Juvenile Detention Center – Charlotte Edney, Superintendent
2600 Lone Star Drive, Box 11 Dallas, Texas 75212
Intern/Volunteer Agreement & Protocol for
Entering/Existing the Juvenile Detention Center
I,
an intern/volunteer for the Dallas County
(PRINT Legibly)
Juvenile Department located in Dallas, Texas, do understand and agree to the
following:
According to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards <*>343.386 (5)
Volunteers and Interns “the facility must have a written volunteer and intern registry, log
or other documentation that details all dates and times the volunteer or intern is present
on the premises of the facility as well as the purpose of their visit”.
And
According to the Dallas County Juvenile Department and TJJD Code of Ethics for
Interns and Volunteers <*> 1 J “Juvenile Department Interns and Volunteers shall
“abide by all federal, state, and local laws and Commission Standards”.
Therefore, I understand that when I enter the Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. Juvenile Detention
Center, I am required to sign-in and to sign-out when I leave the facility. I understand
that this protocol requires me to provide the following (legibly):
- My name
- Date
- Time in/Time out
- My purpose for being in the Detention Center
I understand and agree to follow the protocol of this agreement. I also understand that
if I fail to follow the protocol that I will be denied access to the Detention Center and
will not be allowed to continue my internship/volunteerism. Therefore, upon signing this
agreement, I agree to follow the protocol and terms of the Commission Standards.
___________________________
________________________
Signature of Intern/Volunteer
Date