The Dubuque Community School District’s Certified Mentoring Program takes child safety seriously. Policy 4614 “School Volunteers” ensures the safety of our students participating in this program.
Goal
To provide a safe environment for children to be mentored by adult volunteers from our community.
Mentor Training
All mentors will go through a District Orientation which covers all aspects of the certified mentoring program including code of conduct. All mentors will have a Non-Employee Background Check performed and approved by Dubuque Community School’s Human Resource office before they are matched with a student.
All mentors will also attend a School Orientation. The School Orientation will cover school logistics including but not limited to: school rules, calendar, contact information, hours, parking, office check in, mentoring location, location of mentor supplies. The School Orientation will also cover students’ goals.
Permissions
School staff contact parents/guardians to obtain a parent/guardian signature for students who are matched with a mentor. No child is matched with a mentor without parent/guardian permission.
Meeting Times and Places
All mentors must meet with their mentee during school hours and on school property. The meeting times and places are coordinated by school employees, usually the school counselor. Mentoring sessions must occur in a room that is easily visible to others to see and hear the conversation. Any contact outside of school grounds and school time is beyond the scope of the Dubuque Community School District Student Mentoring Program. Contact outside of school grounds and school time can happen only by the mutual consensus of the mentor, the mentee, and parent/guardian. Mentors violating this are discharged from the program. If a mentor wishes to meet with a mentee during out of school time hours, they are assisted in transitioning to Mentor Dubuque.
Abuse of Students by Mentors
According to School Board Policy 5503, Reporting Child/Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect, licensed school employees are mandatory child abuse reporters and have received training on reporting procedures. Any licensed school employee who witnesses abuse of a student by a mentor is obliged to make a report to DHS. In the case a non-licensed school employee witnesses the abuse of a child by a mentor, that employee is responsible for reporting that abuse to the building principal or designee.
According to School Board Policy 4606, Abuse of Students by School District Employees, physical or sexual abuse of students by school district employees will not be tolerated. Board Policy 4606 also states that the term “employee” includes people who are “volunteers of the school district under the direction and control of the school district.” “Physical abuse” means nonaccidental physical injury to the student as a result of the actions of an employee. “Sexual abuse” means any sexual offense as defined by Iowa Code Chapter 709 or Iowa Code Section 728.12(1). This policy outlines the investigation process and the consequences of violation which include discharge from the program.
Appropriate Contact
All mentors must meet with students on school grounds during school hours. Mentors are always in a space with the child that is visible to others in the school. “Safe touches” such as high fives, handshakes, or simple touches on the shoulder are acceptable.
Inappropriate Contact
All mentors should not yell or raise their voice with a child in a threatening manner. Mentors should not hit child or touch a private part of a child’s body. Mentors must not meet with a mentee out of school time and/or off school property. If a mentor suggests meeting outside of school or outside of school time without the consent of a parent/guardian, the mentee must tell a trusted adult. Any contact outside of school grounds and school time is beyond the scope of the Dubuque Community School District Student Mentoring Program. Contact outside of school grounds and school time can happen only by the mutual consensus of the mentor, the mentee, and parent/guardian. Students are taught to tell adults they trust when they are in an uncomfortable situation or have experienced a “unsafe touch.” For elementary students, the materials used are in the elementary counselor curriculum unit entitled “Body Safety” and “No, Go, Yell, Tell”. For middle and high school students, counselors explain the Risk Management Plan with mentees which includes meeting times and locations, safe and unsafe touches, and who to tell if they experience an unsafe touch. Mentees sign the Risk Management Plan after going through the document with their counselor.
Monitoring Requirements
Mentors are expected to complete a Mentor Check-in Log every month. The Mentor Check-In Log will come from the District Coordinator.
Mandatory Reporting Requirements Associated with Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
Mentors are not mandatory reporters in their role as a Mentor. However, if a mentor suspects child abuse or neglect, mentors must report these concerns to their school counselor/principal.
Orientation of Mentees
All mentees attend an orientation session prior to meeting with their mentor. In the orientation session, mentees are taught “safe” and “unsafe” touches and who to go tell if they’ve experienced a “bad” touch. Mentees are also taught mentoring sessions only take place on school grounds, during school hours. They are also told that if the mentor suggests meeting outside of school boundaries or outside of school time that they should tell a trusted adult. Any contact outside of school grounds and school time is beyond the scope of the Dubuque Community School District Student Mentoring Program. Contact outside of school grounds and school time can happen only by the mutual consensus of the mentor, the mentee, and parent/guardian.