Service
The most recent statistics reveal that there are over 1500 children in single parent families in Finney County. Because of a close relationship between the absent parent or other relatives Big Brothers Big Sisters of America estimates that about 1 in 5 children need the services of a Big Brother or Big Sister. Therefore, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney County has the potential to meet the needs of 300 at-risk children who are without an adequate adult role model through the one-to-one match program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney County also has a school-based mentoring program that meets the needs of at-risk children in the classroom. In 1999, this program served children in seven local elementary schools. Previously, this program served children in Garfield Elementary School where the staff has built a curriculum around it. Big Brothers Big Sisters hopes to effect positive change in the lives of all the children in these schools. The volunteers for this program are screened in a similar way to the one-to-one program; however their only contact with the children is in the classroom.
Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers deliver the service of the Agency, are the Agency representative to the child and to the child's family and represent the Agency to the community. The volunteer provides friendship, guidance and leadership. The volunteer is not a peer and not a substitute parent. The volunteer commits to seeing the child three to six hours a week, and maintaining this relationship for a minimum of one year and agreeing to meet and confer with the caseworker according to a prearranged schedule.
Make a Big difference in Little life.
We'll give you as much support as you want in the way of guidance suggestion and agency supported activities.
These services are free to the volunteer and the child.
Following an orientation the volunteer completes an application. References are contacted and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation performs a background check of the individual. The caseworker then conducts an in depth interview of the volunteer and makes a personal visit to the volunteer's home to interview any spouse or roommates and to determine that the home presents a suitable atmosphere for the child.
After the caseworker has completed the intake process on the volunteer the case file is reviewed by a screening committee composed of local social services professionals who determine whether the volunteer is acceptable for the program. If the volunteer is accepted, the caseworker meets with the volunteer to discuss potential match candidates. Later the volunteer and the parent of the selected child are introduced and the ground rules for the match are discussed. After this process is completed the child, parent, and the volunteer are all introduced by the caseworker and the match is made. The caseworker keeps in close contact with all three parties in the match to provide assistance and to ascertain any problems in the match.
Once a candidate is accepted as a Big Brother or Big Sister and enters into a relationship with a child, four basic objectives govern this relationship:
0. the volunteer serves as a role model to the child,
1. volunteers must be consistent and reliable in the relationship with the child,
2. the volunteer will encourage communication by allowing the child to talk about problems, concerns, joys, and achievements,
3. the volunteer provides companionship to the child.
The Agency also educates the participants about sexual abuse. Through this training we hope to let children know they do not have to accept any situation that makes them uncomfortable or hurts them in any way. We also encourage them to discuss any concerns with their parents, the Big or the caseworker. We also provide information and discuss with the Bigs and the parents what signs might indicate that a child has been mistreated.