Resolution 2019-30854 RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30854
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO ADVANCE THE FOSTER
GRANDPARENTS SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AMONG
THE COMMUNITY'S ELDER RESIDENTS BY PROMOTING THE
EXISTING SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED
BY THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND BY
EXPLORING THE PROMOTION OF VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY'S PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach (the "City")
made a joint referral to the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (the "NCAC") and the
Senior Affairs Committee to discuss the merits of the Foster Grandparents Program; and
WHEREAS, the topic was discussed by the Senior Affairs Committee at its March 25,
2019 meeting, and by the NCAC at its April 24, 2019 meeting, respectively; and
WHEREAS, the Foster Grandparent Program (the "Program") is part of Senior Corps, a
network of national service programs that provide older Americans the opportunity to volunteer
for a child, and harness their life experiences and skills to benefit their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Program originated on August 28, 1965, with a purpose to demonstrate
how income-eligible persons age 55 or over have the maturity and experience to establish
personal relationships with children having either exceptional or special needs;
WHEREAS, the Program's dual purpose is to enhance the lives of children through a
caring relationship with seniors, and to provide a high-quality experience that enriches the lives
of the senior volunteers and the children they serve; and
WHEREAS, Foster Grandparents typically serve through a variety of local
organizations—including faith-based groups, municipal parks, Head Start Centers, schools, and
other youth facilities—to help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide
children at a critical time in their lives; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Public Schools partners with Miami-Dade County to
promote its Retired Senior Volunteer Program ("RSVP"), which allows persons 55 years of age
and older, an opportunity to contribute their time, expertise and experience as school
volunteers; and
WHEREAS, in exchange for volunteering, RSVP participants receive transportation
reimbursement and school recognition, among other benefits, while their volunteer efforts
promote student school attendance, build students' confidence and growth, and enhance social
relationships that support student achievement; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Beach community is fortunate to have a diverse population of
senior citizens who are ready and willing to volunteer to make a difference; and
WHEREAS, the Senior Affairs Committee has found that, since the framework to
connect senior volunteers with youth is readily available through Miami-Dade County Public
Schools, the City should promote the existing RSVP program as a means of increasing
voluntarism among the City's elder residents; and
WHEREAS, at the NCAC's April 24, 2019 discussion on the Foster Grandparents
Program, the Administration recommended that in addition to the RSVP, the City should explore
two volunteer opportunities within the City's Parks and Recreation Department that may yield
maximum benefit for the senior volunteers and the youth — the City's afterschool programs and
its toddler programs; and
WHEREAS, senior volunteers can contribute to the City's afterschool programming for
children and youth by offering programming support and one-to-one engagement with youth
including such activities as art and cooking classes; and
WHEREAS, in addition, senior volunteers can also participate in the City's toddler
classes, which seek to provide toddlers with enrichment, stimulation and supervised play time;
and
WHEREAS, the NCAC has accepted the Administration's recommendation and passed
a motion recommending that the Foster Grandparents Program be implemented among the
community's senior citizens through existing volunteer programs, with a condition that all senior
volunteers must undergo a background check.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby
accept the recommendation of the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee and direct the
City Administration to advance the Foster Grandparents senior volunteer program among the
community's elder residents by promoting the existing senior volunteer program administered by
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and by exploring the promotion of volunteer opportunities
within the City's Parks and Recreation Department.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of June, 2019.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
U ? 1101 y
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner Michael Gongora)
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
=.INtORP ORATEQ & FOR EXECUTION
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City Attorney Date
Resolutions - C7 T
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: June 5, 2019
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND
DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO ADVANCE THE FOSTER
GRANDPARENTS SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AMONG THE
COMMUNITY'S ELDER RESIDENTS BY PROMOTING THE EXISTING
SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND BY EXPLORING THE PROMOTION OF
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY'S PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Resolution.
ANALYSIS
The Foster Grandparent Program is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs
that provide older Americans the opportunity to volunteer for a child and harness their life
experiences and skills to benefit their communities. As a Foster Grandparent, elder residents serve
as role models, mentors, and friends to children and youth. Foster Grandparents typically serve
through a variety of local organizations—including faith-based groups, municipal parks, Head Start
Centers, schools, and other youth facilities—to help children learn to read, provide one-on-one
tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives. In short, Foster Grandparents dedicate
their time and experience to improve the lives of children and youth.
The Program originated on August 28, 1965 as a national demonstration effort to show how income-
eligible persons age 55 or over have the maturity and experience to establish personal relationships
with children having either exceptional or special needs. The Program's dual purpose is to enhance
the lives of children through a caring relationship and to provide a high quality experience that
enriches the lives of the volunteers and the children they serve.
The Mayor and Commission made a joint referral to the Neighborhoods/Community Affairs
Committee and the Senior Affairs Committee to discuss this item. The referrals were issued at the
March 13, 2019 City Commission meeting. The item was discussed by the Senior Affairs Committee
at its March 25, 2019 meeting. The item was heard and forwarded to the Mayor and Commission
Page 487 of 868
with an affirmative recommendation at the Committee's May 20, 2019 meeting.
Our community is fortunate to have a variety of senior citizens who are ready and willing to volunteer
to make a difference. There are also various opportunities to connect ready seniors with eager youth.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools partners with Miami-Dade County to promote its Retired Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP) which persons 55 years of age and older an opportunity to contribute
their time, expertise and experience as school volunteers. Volunteers must:
• Complete a background check
• Attend orientation training
• Agree to volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per month
In exchange for volunteering, program participants receive transportation reimbursement and school
recognition among other benefits. The program's goal is to promote student school attendance, build
students confidence and growth, and enhance social relationships that support student achievement.
This program was discussed with the Senior Affairs Committee. The Committee agreed that, since
the framework to volunteer is available through Miami-Dade County Public Schools and that this was
a direct route to connect seniors with youth, that perhaps the City could explore ways to support the
existing program as a means of increasing voluntarism among the City's elder residents. The Office
of Community Services will add volunteer recruitment for the School Board's RSVP initiative to its
outreach events held targeting our community's elder residents. We will also update the Office of
Housing and Community Services webpage on the City's website to provide this volunteer
information.
In addition to the schools, staff explored the possibility of expanding accessibility to volunteer
opportunities within the City's Parks and Recreation Department. There are two opportunities that
may yield maximum benefit for the volunteers and the youth served: the City's afterschool programs
and its toddler programs.
The City's Parks and Recreation Department offers afterschool enrichment programming for children
and youth. Senior volunteers can be assets to support the enrichment programming by offering
programming support and one-to-one engagement with youth including such activities as art and
cooking classes. In these instances, the individual skills of the senior volunteers can serve to inspire
and support youth as they cultivate their own skills. Programming typically takes place 2pm to 5pm at
various parks in the City including Flamingo Park, Scott Rakow Youth Center and North Shore Youth
Center(offering easy access to volunteer opportunities).
In addition to the afterschool programming for school-age youth, senior volunteers can be helpful for
the Park and Recreation Department's toddler classes which seek to provide toddlers with
enrichment, stimulation and supervised play time. This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to
interact with and engage young children in a meaningful way. Programming typically takes place 9am
to 1pm at various parks in the City including Flamingo Park, South Pointe Park, Scott Rakow Youth
Center and North Shore Youth Center(offering easy access to volunteer opportunities).
The Parks and Recreation Department can supervise up to four senior volunteers per site, per
program to ensure a quality, mutually beneficial experience for both volunteer and mentored youth.
Please note that all volunteers through the City's Parks and Recreation Department must undergo
criminal background screening and training prior to being assigned a volunteer activity.
Page 488 of 868
CONCLUSION
The Neighborhoods/Citywide Projects Committee recommends promoting the existing senior
volunteer program administered by Miami-Dade County Public Schools as well as explore the
promotion of volunteer opportunities within the City's Parks and Recreation Department that will
enable senior residents to volunteer and engage in mutually rewarding experiences with our
community's youth. The promotion of these volunteer opportunities will be incorporated to elder
outreach efforts conducted by Housing and Community Services at no additional cost. The
Administration supports this effort.
KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED
Enhance Cultural and Recreational Activities
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
No financial impact.
Legislative Tracking
Housing and Community Services
Sponsor
Commissioner Michael Gongora
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
❑ Resolution
❑ RSVP Fact Sheet
❑ MDCPS Volunteer Guidelines
Page 489 of 868
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Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
M IAM Building a Greater Miami....one volunteer at a time COUNTY DiADE
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The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers our most valuable residents;
those retired persons 55 and older, an opportunity to contribute their time, expertise
and experience as school volunteers.
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The goal of RSVP is to promote student growth, attendance, confidence, positive f.
attitude, and to enhance social relationships that support student achievement.
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Who is eligible for RSVP? iirr_x_r„Tivw_w .
• Anyone 55 and older willing to lend their
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(! ex erience expertise and valuable insight.experience, p 9
lid What are the requirements?
• A background history repository check. 4 '
• Attend an orientation training
Ili • Volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per month '����' a 1-
" Benefits for Volunteering:
• Transportation reimbursement
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• District/County Recognition
• InsuranceFor more information please call 305-995-2995
Newsletter features
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RSVP
MIAMI•DADE
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FACT SHEET
WHAT IS RSVP?
The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers individuals 55 years of age and
over an opportunity to contribute their time, expertise and knowledge volunteering
service to the community. RSVP is a national organization sponsored by the Corporation
for National and Community Service a federal agency, and locally by Miami-Dade County
Department of Human Services and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
WHO CAN JOIN RSVP?
You can, if you are 55 or older and interested in contributing to your local school or
community. There is no income, education, experience, or membership fees required. Your
school assignment, determined in the interview which precedes placement, is dependent
upon your interests and the needs of the school.
WHERE CAN I SERVE?
You can serve at any one of Miami-Dade County's 400 schools of your choice within your
community.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Based on the schools needs and your interest, you can participate in one or more
School based activities such as:
• Mentor- serve as a trusted friend and role model promoting character development.
• Read to students learning how to read
• Teach 5th grade students how to play chess
• Work with second grade teachers on a healthy life project
• Dig and plant with the fifth grade students' Garden Project
• Work through math problems with a student that is having a hard time
understanding fractions
• Talk with a child who needs to practice speaking English
• Assist the Art Teacher in preparing and transporting projects for "THE FAIR"
• Assist students in the library with research on the internet
• Assist the Kindergarten teacher with a special project
• Work with a student struggling with handwriting
• Work with Sr. High school students on a community or service project
• Help to redesign and update the school's Science Lab
• Assist in developing hands on projects for students learning about ecology
• Work with fourth grade teachers' with an innovative writing/poetry project
• Assist the Media Specialist with students checking out books
• Business/Community member appointed by the principal to the Educational
Excellence School Advisory Committee (EESAC)
Page 493 of 868
Jobs that can be done outside the school day or after school:
• Club Assistant- offer assistance with a school booster club or other school-related
organizations.
• Making arrangements with local business to provide supplies for special projects at
the school
• Encouraging business contacts to participate in the school's "Career Day."
• Help coordinate activities with the school's Dade Partners
• Make phone calls to parents who have questions concerning events and activities at
the school
• Help develop and improve the school's website
• Assist teachers with designs and development of classroom projects
• Help the school develop "In School Field Trips"that enhance the educational
programs
• Work with community groups to develop educational opportunities students
HOW DO I LOIN RSVP?
Choose a local school in your community.
Register online at http://www.dadeschools.net/as follows:
• Parents,will log into Parent Portal.
• All other volunteers/community members, will log into Community Portal.
After portal login, follow these steps:
1. Click the Services and Sites tab at the top.
2. Click on the Be a School Volunteer!link.
3. Choose your school(s) and activity (RSVP) in which you wish to volunteer.
4. Go to your selected school/location and show your identification for final approval.
*If you already have a portal account and school just log-on and select (RSVP)
as your activity.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
A. Insurance: All volunteers enrolled in RSVP and actively reporting time are
automatically enrolled for the following:
1. Accident Insurance - covers the volunteer for a personal injury arising from
volunteer activities.
The coverage applies while traveling directly to and from the volunteer
station and participating in an activity sponsored by RSVP. This insurance
does not duplicate expenses paid by Medicare other valid and collectible
insurance coverage.
2 Personal Liability - protects volunteers for a bodily injury or property
damage liability claim arising from the performance of the volunteer's duties.
Page 494 of 868
3. Excess Automobile Liability - protects the volunteers for a bodily injury or
property liability claim arising out of the use of the volunteer's automobile in
connection with the volunteer's service. This insurance is in excess of the
insurance carried on the volunteer's automobile or in the limits of the State's
financial responsibility law.
B. Recognition: RSVP volunteers receive recognition for their services through
annual ceremonies,periodic special programs, and media coverage.
C. Newsletter: A project newsletter is published in a semiannual basis. Schools and
volunteers are encouraged to submit articles.
D. Travel Reimbursement: A small reimbursement is offered quarterly for "out-
of-pocket" expenses the RSVP volunteer pays for travel to and from the
volunteer site.
Eligibility requires: (a) use their own automobile, Metro-bus, Metro-rail or
Special Transportation Service(STS) for travel to and from the volunteer
station, and (b) serve a minimum of 48 hours during the quarter.
Public transportation is reimbursable at a maximum of$2.00 per day. STS does
not have a daily maximum. A volunteer who uses their own car is reimbursed at
$0.20 per mile. If car pooling (including husband and wife) only the driver may
be reimbursed. Maximum reimbursement is $30.00 per quarter regardless of
method of transportation.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Persons interested in joining RSVP should call 305-995-2995, or register on-line
at http://community.dadeschools.net/!svp/school-vol.asp
RSVP
Lead With Experience
Page 495 of 868
Miami-Dade County Public Schools' School Volunteer Program Policies and Guidelines are as follows:
1. All volunteers must successfully complete the registration and background check process.The registration
process can be found at: http://www.engagemiamidade.net/community-volunteer-resist; Board Policy
8332
*Statement of Collection,Use or Release of Social Security Numbers as it relates to volunteers
The School Board of Miami-Dade County is authorized to collect, use or release social security numbers(SSN)of
employees,employee dependents,and other individuals***for the following purposes,which are noted as either
required or authorized by law to be collected.
2. Once approved (level 1 or level 2) *{Fla Stat 119.071(5)(a)6,}all volunteers must sign in and out at a
designated location in the school before proceeding to their volunteer site. This is required for the
purposes of liability and to know the location of a volunteer in case of an emergency.
3. All volunteers must have identification and wear an identifying badge whenever volunteering.
4. Volunteers are to always serve as positive role models. A school volunteer MUST ALWAYS:
a. Use appropriate language;
b. Discuss age-appropriate topics;
c. Refrain from inappropriately touching students;
d. Refrain from disciplining students (behaviors needing discipline must be referred to the
appropriate teacher or staff member);
e. Refrain from giving students gifts, rewards, or food items of any kind without the teacher's
permission; Board Policies 3213, 3380, 5517
5. For liability reasons,volunteers must leave preschoolers or children not registered in the school, at home.
6. Volunteers may not be left alone to supervise students. The visual and auditory presence of a Miami-Dade
County Public Schools' employee must be maintained at all times including on field trip related activities.
Board Policy 2340
7. Volunteers MUST keep confidential any information about a student or any school-related incident. If
there is a safety concern or an emergency issue, it must immediately be communicated to someone in
authority. Board Policy 8330
8. Volunteers should notify the front office if an illness or emergency prohibits them from attending a
scheduled volunteer shift. Volunteers should be prompt and dependable.
9. The dress code for volunteers should be appropriate at all times.
10. Volunteers should exercise appropriate and responsible use of school and District technology, social
media,and information systems. Board Policy 7540
11. Volunteers must report suspected child abuse per Florida Statue 39.201. Board Policy 8462
12. Each school principal or work site supervisor may set additional policies with respect to volunteer
involvement. A volunteer's service may be terminated at any time, either at the discretion of the
principal, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, or the volunteer.
13. Miami-Dade County Public School's Employment Standards applies to all volunteers.
Page 496 of 868