Volunteer for CAP

The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program teaches children and youth strategies they can use in potentially abusive situations. CAP workshops teach children and youth how to prevent kidnapping, battering, molestation, neglect and all other forms of abuse and assault. CAP is not a lecture series but an interactive workshop with guided group discussion and role-plays. Additionally, training is provided to parents, teachers, and other youth serving professionals.

Contact: Ms. Linda Carballo, Volunteer Coordinator
21455 Birch Street Hayward, CA 94541
(510) 583-0414, ext. 103 
linda@ebac.org

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How are volunteers used in the program?
• Is there a minimum age to volunteer?
• Do I need a background in counseling or psychology to volunteer for this program?
• What type of skills are you looking for in a volunteer?
• What does the volunteer training consist of?
• How much time do I need to commit to volunteering?
• Why do I need to be fingerprinted and have a current TB test?
• What is the most important thing a volunteer can do to prepare for this work?

How are volunteers used in the program?

CAP is always looking for volunteers who enjoy working with children. These community volunteers assist program staff in the implementation of our abuse/violence prevention safety workshops, which take place in schools, shelters and other youth-serving programs in Alameda County.

Practicum placements are available to students at local colleges and universities. These students generally participate not only in our psycho-educational programs (which can include parent and teacher trainings), but also in our provision of mental health services to children in Southern Alameda County schools. Practicum students are typically first/second year graduate students, but we also have placements for undergraduate students as well.

The CAP Training Center occasionally has short-term opportunities for volunteers to provide information to the community at health and safety fairs, and to work on short-term projects.

Is there a minimum age to volunteer?

You must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer. However, we offer short-term projects for high school students needing to complete community service or work experience hours after school and during school breaks.

Do I need a background in counseling or psychology to volunteer?

No. Community volunteers as well as practicum students come from a variety of backgrounds. We are looking for people who want to make a real difference in the lives of children and youth.

What type of skills are you looking for in a volunteer?

We are looking for people who are nonjudgmental, empathetic, possess good listening skills, and are punctual and caring. Experience in public speaking and working with children and youth are a plus, as is the knowledge of a second language.

What does the volunteer training consist of?

All program participants receive 20 hours of initial training, including the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, mandated reporting and crisis intervention. Practicum students also receive training to develop skills in such subjects as individual and play therapy, group and family work. On-going training takes place throughout the program year.

Trainings are typically held twice a year, during the fall and spring.

CAP Program: For undergraduate students and community volunteers, trainings are typically held twice a year (fall/spring). For undergraduate students placed during the second semester, trainings are held in January.

Mental Health Services: For practicum placements, initial trainings are held in August/September.

How much time do I need to commit to volunteering?

We ask for a 10-12 month commitment to help meet the demand for our program in the communities we serve. For the CAP Program we require a minimum of 4 hours a week between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Because our work is done in a classroom setting, the blocks of times are broken down as follows:

8:00 am-12:00 pm
12:00 pm-4:00 pm
2:00 pm-6:00 pm

There is flexibility in choosing the day and block of time you would like to volunteer, and there are occasional evening and weekend opportunities.

Practicum students commit to the hours required by their individual programs, hours which include training and supervision time.

Why do I need to be finger printed and have a current TB test?

It is required by California State law to fingerprint all of our program participants. If you have received a recent negative TB test, documentation needs to be provided, otherwise a current test is required. Both clearances needed to be provided before you can begin your actual volunteer/practicum assignment.

What is the most important thing a volunteer can do to prepare for this work?

It is important to think carefully about whether this is a time in your life when you can make this commitment. Even for persons that have never experienced abuse, some of the feelings they experience doing this work is very powerful. If you have experienced abuse in your life, please discuss this with the CAP Training Center staff person to make sure that you are ready to do this work. The children and youth we work with are counting on you to be there for them, so we need to make sure that you are taken care of as well.

We also take very seriously the work we do at the CAP Training Center. We believe that the entire community needs to get involved to make child abuse and youth violence a public issue. This is probably one of the reasons why you may be interested in volunteering - to create change in your community. The demand for our program is great and the more staff we have trained, the more schools and youth programs we can serve. We have a responsibility to the school or youth program that has allowed time in their daily schedule to accommodate the CAP workshops.

We know that there are many worthwhile programs that need volunteer support. Thank you for your interest in the CAP Training Center and the work we do in the community. Your time and commitment is greatly appreciated.

For further information on becoming a volunteer at the CAP Training Center or for Fremont PALS, please contact Linda Caraballo, Volunteer Coordinator, at 510-583-0414, ext. 103, or email: Linda@ebac.org.