Lyngblomsten Care Team Ministry is an outreach ministry
in St. Paul, Minnesota. Following the Care Team® model which began
in 1995 by Interfaith CarePartners®, Lyngblomsten began Care Team
Ministry in 5 faith communities in 1998. In 2005, Lyngblomsten is supporting
12 faith communities with Care Team Ministry. Through a faith community,
Care Team Ministry provides support to elders and caregivers. Teams of
volunteers assist with tasks such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping,
meal preparation, transportation, respite and friendly visiting.
In 2004, Lyngblomsten Care Team Ministry formed a task force
to evaluate current risk management policies and screening process of
volunteers. The task force began the process by first evaluating and then
recommending ways to improve practices related to screening volunteers.
|
Steps to Reduce Risk |
Current |
Gaps and Action Steps |
Write a clear mission or purpose statement
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Mission statement completed |
|
| Have job descriptions for all volunteer positions. |
General job description for all Care Team Ministry volunteers
Alzheimer’s Care Team Job Description
The Gathering Job Description
Leaders Job Description
|
Transportation driver job description needed |
| Make sure each volunteer is suited for the position
and tasks assigned. |
Varies at each church |
New policy will require all Care Team Ministry volunteers
to be interviewed during the screening process. Care Team Ministry
Coordinator will provide training.
|
| Maintain a paper trail and create a personnel
file for each volunteer. |
Care Team Ministry Coordinator keeps a file through
computer data system on each volunteer and care partner |
Checklist will be developed for each Care Team Ministry Leader
to keep track of screening process
|
| Make sure each volunteer completes a registration
form; check references; and conduct background checks. |
All volunteers complete an application
References and background checks vary at each church |
New policy will require all Care Team Ministry volunteers
have background check and reference check.
Care Team Ministry Coordinator will provide training on completing
reference checks
|
| Assess volunteer skills and provide training
to ensure each task required can be properly handled. |
Current Trainings Provided by Lyngblomsten:
General Orientation
Leadership Training
Alzheimer’s Care Team
The Gathering
Specialized Training at Care Team Meetings
Education Forums
Retreat
|
Training will be offered to
volunteer drivers twice a year at Lyngblomsten |
| Make sure proper supervision and support are
available to the volunteer |
Volunteers attend Care Team Meetings at church. Leaders
and Care Team Ministry Coordinator oversee supervision
Volunteers are aware that they can contact
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Care Team Leader, Parish Nurse, Care Team Coordinator between meetings
if concerns arise
Care Team Leaders attend networking/training at Lyngblomsten bi-monthly
|
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Investigate all rumors or notice of wrongdoing
immediately and fairly. Have complaint and investigation guidelines
in place that cover such occurrences. For example, who should a
care recipient or volunteer contact if they suspect wrongdoing?
Provide copies of the guidelines to everyone associated with the
volunteer program.
|
General Orientation
Care Team Leaders have contact with the care partners periodically
The Gathering- incident report is in place as a way to communicate
to caregiver if any concerns arise |
Policy/procedure will be developed on how to report
concerns
General Incident Report form will be developed
Training to Care Team Leaders and volunteers on vulnerable adults
will be offered and reviewed yearly |
| If there is a problem or complaint, offer immediate
help. |
Care Team Ministry Volunteers are trained in how to
handle emergency situations when with their care partner
Leaders are trained on what to do if there is a concern or complaint |
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