Miguel 4 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I was contacted today by a young lady that is required to complete 30 hours of Court Ordered Community Service. The offense was that she was caught stealing becuase she was homeless. I do not feel comfortable with having her in my facility but figured their are things that she can do at home to make life easier for me. The only thing I could think of is cutting out patterns for Art's N' Craft project so that all I have to give to her is Scissors and if nothing is returned I can always report her for not returning items. Anyone else ever do something of this nature or have some ideas that I can have her do?? Thanks! -Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 I was contacted today by a young lady that is required to complete 30 hours of Court Ordered Community Service. The offense was that she was caught stealing becuase she was homeless. I do not feel comfortable with having her in my facility but figured their are things that she can do at home to make life easier for me. The only thing I could think of is cutting out patterns for Art's N' Craft project so that all I have to give to her is Scissors and if nothing is returned I can always report her for not returning items. Anyone else ever do something of this nature or have some ideas that I can have her do?? Thanks! -Miguel Hi Miguel, I used folks all the time that needed to do community service. First check why they are having to do it for, if it was for abuse then you don't need them. I have has so many of them become reg volunteers after they finished their community hours. I have used them for filing much needed paperwork, 1;1's, ass't w/ group act., ass't res to & from act, organizaing act supplies etc. I have also discoved that if I didn't need them that dietay, maint, nursing, housekeeping, accountting & other depts were very grateful to have them. I have only regetted having 1 or 2, not bad when I have had so many over the years. So I only suggest that you use her were you feel comfrotable, watch her & if she seems Ok then use her in other areas. You may find a gem in her & have yourself a wonderful addition to the dept. as a volunteer. pennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cale 0 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 (edited) I was contacted today by a young lady that is required to complete 30 hours of Court Ordered Community Service. The offense was that she was caught stealing becuase she was homeless. I do not feel comfortable with having her in my facility but figured their are things that she can do at home to make life easier for me. The only thing I could think of is cutting out patterns for Art's N' Craft project so that all I have to give to her is Scissors and if nothing is returned I can always report her for not returning items. Anyone else ever do something of this nature or have some ideas that I can have her do?? Thanks! -Miguel Have that volunteer do a walk thru a facility with a Room visit cart... make her visit each room offer reading materials,table games..etc Make sure to give you a list of which reisdent ask for certain type of activity material. Or have her wheel resident around the facility that would be interested in wheelchair walk..... She can also assist helping wheeling resident in the activity Room ..give her basic technique/safety issue how to wheel resident in Act. rm.....Cale Edited May 8, 2007 by Cale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeniseRieser 0 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Have that volunteer do a walk thru a facility with a Room visit cart... make her visit each room offer reading materials,table games..etc Make sure to give you a list of which reisdent ask for certain type of activity material. Or have her wheel resident around the facility that would be interested in wheelchair walk..... She can also assist helping wheeling resident in the activity Room ..give her basic technique/safety issue how to wheel resident in Act. rm.....Cale I would be very wary of this volunteer. My administrator would never let someone in here with this background. Our population is so vulnerable and I cerainly wouldn't have her do anything like a cart where she is unsupervised. Knowing how things go here, the only thing I would have her do is games with the residents or calling bingo....if she is able to do these. The thing about volunteers is that they have to fit, too. If it causes you too much angst and you are always looking over yourshoulder then don't "hire" her. A volunteer is treated by the state the same way as a worker. We have to orient and train them and now we are doing background checks on all our volunteers as well. We have been having lots of issues with stealing with our workers so I wouldn't set myself up with this kind of situation. If you pass on her there will always be another who comes along. Stay positive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cale 0 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Denise, I understand where you coming from as far as not trusting a person doing a walk thru a facility with a room visit cart. This person background as stated she was Homeless /Caught Stealing. Be open minded with the situation. The facility runs 24-7. People all around. If this problem happening in your facility as far as workers stealing stuff... Then maybe its a link within inside the facility. You cannot judge everyone that's coming in the faciltity that wanting to volunteer or have to do a community service. Just a suggestion maybe empty her purse out before she lives the facility... Some Banks and Shopping Store places does it to every employee to make sure they did not take anything that dont belong to them. She already paying the prices for what she has comitted by doing some time and yes it can be disappointing for what she has to go thru. As far as you doing the checking everytime she lives the Nursing home... You'll never know .... if your teaching this person some goods. By obeying the rules you set for her. Cale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchris 1 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 My policy for court ordered community service is very simple, I don' t allow it. My feeling is this. I am in charge of 137 very frail, fragile residents and "most" people who have court ordered service have done something to break the law and there is a chance that they will do it again. That is my feeling, and I stick with it every time someone asks to serve at my facility. I know that there are people who say that those who break the law deserve a second chance, to those I say my residents are my responsibility, if you want ot give a criminal a second chance, take them to your facility. Sorry, but those are my beliefs, I can't risk the safety of the residents.... Big Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel 4 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Thanks Everyone who responded to my post! I agree with everyone else, and do not allow Court Ordered community service to be completed within my facility. The intent of the post was to generate some ideas on how these individuals could complete hours by completing other tasts that do not require resident contact. The only idea that I have so far is to have them complete craft program cut outs at home. ANY OTHER NON-RESIDENT INTERACTION IDEAS that can be used to make my life easier? -Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara 0 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Thanks Everyone who responded to my post! I agree with everyone else, and do not allow Court Ordered community service to be completed within my facility. The intent of the post was to generate some ideas on how these individuals could complete hours by completing other tasts that do not require resident contact. The only idea that I have so far is to have them complete craft program cut outs at home. ANY OTHER NON-RESIDENT INTERACTION IDEAS that can be used to make my life easier? -Miguel We only allow teen court community service (usually speeding tickets) at this time. I will judge on a case-by-case basis if requested by others. In our county, the adults can only do their community service doing non-profit organizations, such as cleaning parks, highways, etc. Prior to accepting any one at all, I will speak to their probationary officer to see what I need to know about the person, and then either approve or disapprove. It's not up to me to make the probationer feel good, they're paying a price by doing community service, ........... much easier than doing their time behind bars. As another poster said, the protection of my residents is up to me (and the rest of the staff); giving a 2nd chance is done only if I have a good feeling about it after knowing ALL the facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanGuy23 2 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Hey Miguel, Great decision you made regarding this issue. I would not feel comfortable either with someone coming off the streets with this background and coming into my nursing facility because lets face it, if their doing court ordered community service they don't have a good reason behind it. We are here to protect our precious residents and to keep them safe. Someone who has committed theft is too great of a risk for our vulnerable residents and should not even step foot in a nursing facility. OceanGuy23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineedavacation 0 Report Share Posted June 1, 2007 As harsh as it may sound, turn her down. I've never allowed anyone to do community service at any of the facilities I've worked at if they are doing it as "punishment" for theft or whatever reason. My feeling is that if they were stupid enough to do the crime that there's no reason for me to even bring them into a place with folks who are vulnerable and trusting of the staff caring for them. There are other places that they can work for. Suggest they contact the city....they can help do yardwork on city property. What was it that Naomi Campbell the supermodel had to do?? She worked at a garbage facility of some sort down on her hands and knees scrubbing. I would think habitat for humanity would take her on also. Sorry that I sound so hard about it but these folks we care for everyday count on us to keep them safe, and while I feel strongly about giving second chances in the right setting, puting someone who has had a run it with the law in a place wtih seniors is asking for trouble. If you count on temporary volunteers try high schools and church youth groups. They need the hours for graduating or grades and church classes. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavenstar 0 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 What about doing the maintenance things you hate-- like organizing your addresses and phone numbers? They could do that at home. Organizing trip information by having them fill out a form by going through and listing available places to visit- contact information, how much it costs, hours open, etc. I know when we look to go on a trip, I am always having to search the internet or call for the information because I can never find it on time. Another thing is for them to pick up donated items (if they have a car) that you just don't have time to go and pick up. Make welcome baskets for the residents at home-- you give them all the stuff to do it and they return it already made. Write birthday/get well cards to the residents Think of all the things you do at home for the job-- pass the buck, and give to a volunteer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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