Although many volunteer opportunities are available through individual schools, some efforts have a districtwide focus and are linked to specific programs to which the Volunteer Talent Center (VTC) and the district are committed.

All volunteers select the task, time, and site where they want to work. Depending on the activity, volunteers can commit for a day, week, or month or for the entire school year. (The preferred commitment for tutors and mentors is a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour weekly throughout the school year.) While most volunteer activities do not require special skills, all efforts do require patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude.

The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) requires volunteers to submit a background check form every five years. However, if it is brought to the attention of district officials that a volunteer has plead guilty to or is convicted of drug offenses; sexual offenses; offenses against minors; deadly weapons offenses; violent, abusive, threatening, or harassment offenses; or any felony offense, he or she will be required to submit a new criminal records check and his or her volunteer status may be terminated. In keeping with JCBE policy, the School Volunteer Records Check process is as follows:

  • All JCPS parent and community members whose School Volunteer Records Check was cleared prior to July 1, 2016, are required to submit a new background check.
  • Volunteers who submitted a School Volunteer Records Check after July 1, 2016, and were cleared will not need to resubmit a records check until July 1, 2021, unless there has been a qualifying incident similar to those listed above.