Dr Piper Center For Social Services Inc

Foster grandparent program: the foster grandparent program provides volunteer opportunities and community involvement to low-income seniors aged 55 plus. It serves at risk children through one on one mentoring and tutoring in schools, after school programs and summer programs. Nationally, the foster grandparent program started 59 years ago while the dr. Piper center has been the local sponsor of the program for 32 years. We have about 75 volunteers annually that serve more than 350 children in local programs. Foster grandparents must pass federal background checks and national sexual predator test. They also attend mandatory orientation and inservice meetings in order to be effective in the classrooms. Individuals are assigned to volunteer stations in schools, after school programs, head start or vpk programs whom have a signed memo of understanding with the dr. Piper center. The mou stipulate the volunteer station duties and responsibilities of the volunteers and stations. School districts sign the mou which enables an entire school district to participate. We currently have 67 volunteer stations in lee county. Once a volunteer is placed at a station, the coordinator or teacher completed a child care plan for each child mentored and tutored by a volunteer. The child care plan is discussed with the volunteer upon assignment. Volunteers work at a minimum of 20 hours per week with assigned children, and submit timesheets for approval. Before the end of the school year the volunteer coordinator completes an outcome report for each child served, a survey, and conducts a volunteer evaluation. After school programs provide an opportunity for children to enrich their academic learning and participate in cultural and recreational activities in a safe, supportive environment. These programs have well developed curriculum which is implemented by staff and volunteers. The foster grandparent program provides one on one attention to children in these programs that allow children to develop self confidence, boost self esteem, and reach their full potential. By the end of each school year, children mentored by these volunteers increase their scores in academic subjects, and are successfully promoted to the next grade. Mentored children show an improvement in social skills and behavior due to the attention each child receives from the volunteers. Children receive tutoring in reading, english, spelling, and math. Volunteers listen to children read, tell stories, and participate in word games, conduct word identification, and other activities assigned by instructors. Volunteers also provide homework help to students who may be struggling academically. Volunteers review classroom assignments and instructional materials, assist with school projects and completion of homework. These volunteers provide emotional support to students and help teach and reinforce appropriate classroom and peer behaviors. Volunteers participate in actvities as part of the program. These activities include: outdoor recreational play, develop interests and talents, develop positive character traits,including honesty, kindness, courage, and social-emotional intelligence. Volunteers play games, complete projects, tell stories, have talks, and encourage children to develope positive character traits. Children served gain the individual attention they may not otherwise receive; tutoring which helps them succeed in school, advice and life skills needed to lead productive adult lives, and the life changing opportunity to know the consistent love of a foster grandparent. The volunteers make neighborhoods stronger by helping children achieve their goals. Fiscal year 23-24 foster grandparent of sw florida provided 50,319 hours of service, meeting with more than 350 special needs children in the local community. The following outcomes were met: 1-95% of children served by fgp were promoted to next grade level. 2-92% of fgp volunteers benefitted from the program with increased health and longevity with feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Senior companion program: the senior companion program provides volunteer opportunities and community involvement for low-income seniors 55 plus and serves frail elderly homebound to preserve their quality of life, alleviate loneliness, and provide companionship. Nationally, the scp began 56 years ago while dr. Piper center has been the local sponsor for 32 years. As a local sponsor, in fiscal year 23-24 72 senior companion volunteers were enrolled. All senior companions must pass federal background checks and a national sexual predator test to qualify. A mandatory orientation and training program is in place to ensure volunteers are prepared before being placed for service. The scp program utiliizes stations to function at various locations throughout our region. These stations sign a memo of understanding stating the rules, and regulations of the program. Stations help identify potential clients and volunteers. Each client that participates in scp has a client care plan developed by the station manager and reviewed with the volunteer which includes expected outcomes. The volunteer coordinator monitors volunteer activities with the clients and conducts volunteer performance evaluations. The program's advisory council conducts an annual survey. The target population of this program are the frail, homebound, elderly residents in our region that are at risk of premature institutionalization. These seniors may have two or more disabilities or may have been released from the hospital or rehabilitation facility without support at home. These folks may need assistance with daily living activities and are listed as high priority clients in assessment reports completed by the case manager. The services provided by scp include: client assessment, simple housekeeping, companionship, friendship, light meal prep, running errands, advocacy, transportation to and from appointments, shopping, and referral to other agencies for services not provided by the dr. Piper center. This program does provide respite care to full time caregivers, allowing caregivers a much needed break to help prevent burnout. A total of 68,674 hours were provided by our senior companions this fiscal year, and they provided more than 234,586 miles driven in their personal vehicles to assist clients. This was an increase from last year. Over 600 frail elderly clients were served and the following outcomes were met: 1-97% of frail elderly clients served had improved independent living. 2-96% of frail elderly clients served report less loneliness and access to services have improved. 3-96% of scp volunteers benefit from the program with increased health and longevity along with feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Mobility and accessibility are essential for independent living. Transportation is the link that allows access to needed services and activities. Transportation plays a vital role in the lives of elders. No single solution can meet all the mobility needs of our senior population - rather, a variety of services and systems are necessary to do so effectively. This allows the senior's lives to be enriched and improves their quality of life, diminishes loneliness, and allows them to remain independent longer. The clients need transportation. Our volunteers come through referrals, area congregations, organizations, and the community to help enrich the lives of the clients they serve. This program, along with the scp program work together to fill the unmet needs of the frail elderly population in our area, regardless of income, religious belief, or ethnic background. The services provided allow seniors to remain independent and not have a need for custodial care. This program recruits and educates volunteers after a thorough background check, and orientation, volunteers are matched with people needing assistance. Volunteers provide transportation to appointments, shopping, or to senior centers. These volunteers provide a support system much like that of an extended family. The faith in action program was developed over 16 years ago in collaboration with community cooperative ministries to meet the unmet needs of seniors, especially those on the waitlist for other services. Volunteers in this program do not receive mileage or stipend payments. All volunteers receive the excess insurance and recognition.