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Come play with children in our Crisis Respite Nursery!

NOTE: We are only accepting volunteers who can commit to volunteering long term, a minimum of 40 hours total. Please CAREFULLY READ the following information to determine if this is an appropriate fit for your schedule and other expectations.

Our Crisis Respite Nursery provides a safe place for children ages newborn to 11 years old. Families use the nursery for a crisis such as a medical emergency, death of a family member, a mental health crisis, or if a child is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, or trauma. The nursery is most often used for respite reasons (a break). This includes a parent or guardian needing to attend a therapy appointment, support group, court hearing, doctor appointment, or a job certification class or interview--or just feeling stressed and needing a break.

Once the children enter the nursery, we want them to feel safe and simply play and be a kid. As a volunteer, your main responsibility is spending one-on-one time with the children. We expect you to play with them and have fun with them.

WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?

Volunteers choose a shift with our Nursery Coordinator. These shifts can be scheduled any day/time when the nursery is open:

You must commit to volunteering a minimum of 40 hours. Depending on your availability, this minimum requirement can be done within 5-6 months, but we would greatly appreciate volunteers who are able to help longer periods of time.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Volunteers attend a 60 minute orientation where a background check will be submitted to the Dept of Human Services Office of Licensing. You MUST pass a background check in order to volunteer. You may volunteer once before all information for your background check is submitted, but then must wait to schedule additional shifts until you have returned all needed forms. Background checks will cost the volunteer $42.25, but can be reimbursed after 40 hours of volunteering. In addition, a $10-$20 fee is required to be fingerprinted at a separate location, and you can be reimbursed up to $10 for this fee after 40 hours of volunteering with us.

If you are 16 or 17 you must attend orientation, but don't need a background check.

Our Volunteer Coordinator usually holds at least one orientation a week. However, please note that Saturday or Sunday orientations are not available. To schedule an orientation, contact our Volunteer Coordinator by e-mail at: volunteer@utahvalleyfamilysupport.org

Most of our volunteers help out by coming to play in our nursery. However, we are always looking for skilled volunteers who are willing to share their talents with us. If this is you, please let us know by emailing volunteer@utahvalleyfamilysupport.org