KFAC Volunteer Handbook

Table of Contents

iii

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................................................iii
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... v
Volunteering ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Definition ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Examples ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Step 1: ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Step 2: ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Step 3: ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Observing ......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Definition ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Examples ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Step 1: ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Step 2: ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Experiencing the Field ............................................................................................................................... 11
Definition ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Examples .................................................................................................................................................... 12
....................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Requirements ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Step 1: .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Step 2: .................................................................................................................................................... 13
Step 3: .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Step 4: .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Step 5: .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Step 6: .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Interning ......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Or Practicing ................................................................................................................................................. 17

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KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Definition ................................................................................................................................................... 18
Examples .................................................................................................................................................... 18
Requirements ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Step 1: .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Step 2: .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Step 3: .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Step 4: .................................................................................................................................................... 19
Step 5: .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Step 6: .................................................................................................................................................... 20

Index ................................................................................................................................................................ 21

Introduction

Introduction
This handbook will be available to all Kristin Farmer Autism Center members. This will be
for any employees needing to know how to process a new volunteer applicant. This will
also be available if you do not know which area will be best for the applicant. Or if the
applicant is not sure which area they would like to go into. Since there are four types of
volunteers, this handbook will explain all the steps that go with each. There are just
regular Volunteers which can be any average Joe. There are Observations where the
applicant can be either a UNT student or not. They can be professional who are wanting
to learn more about autism learning. There is Field Experience where the applicant will
learn hands on by getting some field work. They will be monitored by a KFAC staff
member, but they will get to experience with individuals with autism. There is also
Internship or Practicum. This is where the applicant will most likely be in a graduate
program at UNT. This is where they will go to get some real work experience.
This handbook is designed to make it easier on the Kristin Farmer Autism Center staff so
they know exactly what all needs to be completed in order for an applicant to begin
volunteering at the center

Volunteers

Volunteering

KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Definition
A volunteer is an individual who wishes to donate their time and/or talents to the
Kristen Farmer Autism Center without directly interacting with clients.

Examples
Some examples of what volunteers would be doing will include

Making materials
Cleaning and organizing
Assisting in administrative tasks
Participating in special events

Requirements

Step 1: Volunteer Application

The volunteer application is a two

page application
For the volunteer application,
applicants can find it either online
at http://www.autism.unt.edu or
go to the UNT Kristin Farmer Autism Center located at:
o 490 S I-35 E. Denton, TX 76205 USA (940) 369-5373
Once the application is completed, the applicant will email Abbie Huzarevich, the
Administrative Coordinator at abbie.huzarevich@unt.edu

Volunteers

Step 2: Confidentiality Form

Each person signs the confidentiality form when they enter the Kristin Farmer
Autism Center for the first time. The forms are good for 1 year from date of
signature.
The purpose of this form is to protect the identity and privacy of subjects in
research study in supporting UNT students with Autism
Spectrum Disorders.

Step 3: Background check

Each person applying to be a volunteer at the Kristin

Farmer Autism Center must fill out a background check
form.

This is to ensure that everyone that applies is certified and

does not have any criminal background.
Once the form is completed, the applicant will deliver the form to the Risk
Management Services office located at:
o 700 North Texas Blvd
Or they will need to mail the form to:
o 1155 Union Circle #310950, Denton, TX, 76203

Observations

Observing

KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Definition
Students or other individuals who have an interest/need to remotely observe the
implementation of direct services at the Kristin Farmer Autism Center, usually related to
learning, research, and/or coursework.
Individuals conducting observations will have no direct contact or interaction with
clients and will never be alone with a client.

Examples
Examples include

UNT students in ABA, Special Education, or Speech and Hearing Sciences

Researchers and Data Collectors
Non-UNT students
Professionals who want to learn more about autism
programming

Requirements
Step 1: Observation Request Form

The observation request form is similar to the volunteer

application.
It is a form that applicants will need to fill out if they are
interested in taking part in Observing clients.
The form is two pages, but the applicant will only need to
fill out the first page.
The second page is full of guidelines that will be helpful to
the applicant.

Observations

Step 2: Confidentiality Form

Each person signs the confidentiality form when they enter the Kristin Farmer
Autism Center for the first time. The forms are good for 1 year from date of
signature.
The purpose of this form is to protect the identity and
privacy of subjects in research study in supporting UNT
students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Field Experience

Experiencing the Field

11

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KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Definition
Students who need to complete a minimum
number of hours (5-20 per semester) in the
field as defined by a course syllabus in order
to gain exposure and experience with
individuals with autism.
These individuals will need some Kristin
Farmer Autism Center staff oversight and
mentoring.

Examples
Students in UNT courses such as:

EDSP 3240 Family Communication and Collaboration for Exceptional Learners.

o Analysis of collaboration and communication models and strategies used
in working with families, caregivers and professionals concerned about
students with exceptionalities. Focus on the changing definition of family,
community resources, advocacy groups, political forces, legal mandates
and other factors are addressed that may impact students and their
families.
KINE 3020: Movement for Special Populations
o Comprehensive practical approach to conducting physical activity
programs for individuals with disabilities. Course includes discussion on
relevant federal legislation, the social model of disability, procedures for
assessment, and best practices for working with individuals with
developmental, congenital, acquired or sensory disabilities. Students will
complete a 10-hour lab and 15-hour service learning assignment.
Disability and Society

Requirements

Field Experience

13

Step 1: Application

There are actually two different levels in this area.

o There is an application for each.
o They are both two pages and must be completed and emailed to Abbie
Huzarevich, the Administrative Coordinator at abbie.huzarevich@unt.edu.
Level one is for applicants that have not completed any field experience with
KFAC.
Level two is a little more advanced.
o For applicants that have completed some field experience with KFAC and
are comfortable with it.

Step 2: Confidentiality Form

Each person signs the confidentiality

form when they enter the Kristin
Farmer Autism Center for the first
time. The forms are good for 1 year
from date of signature.
The purpose of this form is to protect the identity and privacy of subjects in
research study in supporting UNT students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Field Experience

15

Step 3: Background Check

Each person applying to be a volunteer at the Kristin

Farmer Autism Center must fill out a background
check form.

This is to ensure that everyone that applies is

certified and does not have any criminal background.
Once the form is completed, the applicant will deliver
the form to the Risk Management Services office
located at:
o 700 North Texas Blvd
Or they will need to mail the form to:
o 1155 Union Circle #310950, Denton, TX, 76203

Step 4: Sexual Abuse Training

Any applicant will need to complete the sexual abuse training.

All applicants will receive an email from Abbie Huzarevich, the Administrative
Coordinator with a link to access the training from Abuse Prevention.

Step 5: Contact with course instructor

All applicants will be registered in a required course

o They will need to get in contact with their course instructor to see if KFAC
could be a placement for the student.

Step 6: Copy of syllabus

Each applicant will need to bring a copy of the syllabus from the course they are
registered in.

Internship

17

Interning
Or Practicing

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KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Definition
Students who need to complete a required internship/practicum specified by a set
number of hours (15 or more hours per week) working under the direct supervision of a
full-time Kristin Farmer Autism Center member.
This placement requires pre-approved goals based on course objectives, a signed
agreement specifying condition of the internship or practicum, and possible working
space within the KFAC

Examples

Graduate Coursework
Behavior Analysis Graduate Practicum
EDSP 5630 Field Experience with Children/Youth with Emotional and Behavioral
Disorders 1
o Supervised field experience with children and youth with emotional and
behavioral disorders. Placement is in a minimum of two educational
settings.
Psychology Practicum

Requirements

Internship

Step 1: Application

This area will most

likely be for graduate
students only.
The application they
will need to fill out will
be a three page
application.

Step 2: Confidentiality Form

Each person signs the confidentiality form when they

enter the Kristin Farmer Autism Center for the first
time. The forms are good for 1 year from date of
signature.
The purpose of this form is to protect the identity and
privacy of subjects in research study in supporting UNT
students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Step 3: Background Check

Each person applying to be a volunteer at the Kristin

Farmer Autism Center must fill out a background check
form.

This is to ensure that everyone that applies is certified

and does not have any criminal background.
Once the form is completed, the applicant will deliver
the form to the Risk Management Services office
located at:
o 700 North Texas Blvd
Or they will need to mail the form to:
o 1155 Union Circle #310950, Denton, TX, 76203

Step 4: Sexual Abuse Training

19

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KFAC Voluteer Handbook

Any applicant will need to complete the sexual abuse training.

All applicants will receive an email from Abbie Huzarevich, the Administrative
Coordinator with a link to access the training from Abuse Prevention.

Step 5: Signed Acceptance Letter

This will be a contract signed between the applicant and the supervising KFAC
staff member.
This letter will go over the details of the goals of the internship or practicum.

Step 6: Meeting and Signed Agreement with KFAC Staff

This will be a meeting between the applicant and the KFAC staff where the applicant
will sign the agreement letter.

Index

21

Index
Acceptance Letter, 16
Application, 3, 4, 12, 15
Background check, 4
Background Check, 13, 16
Confidentiality Form, 4, 8, 12, 13, 16
internship, 15, 16

KFAC, 12, 13, 15, 16

Observation, 7
practicum, 15, 16
Sexual Abuse Training, 13, 16
syllabus, 11, 13