When referencing volunteer requirements- does this mean ALL volunteers or only those that count in the staffing ratios?  Specifically- there are different levels of volunteers:

•  Those that may come with a school group to do a performance or special project
• Volunteers that are always in the presence of staff and do not provide any personal care, ie sets up dining room, assists staff with an activity, etc.
• Volunteers that act as staff and count in the ratio- per licensing, they must have ALL the requirements of paid staff.

My concern, if the requirements for back ground checks, reference checks, etc- our volunteer pool will drop.  Certainly, a background cannot be done on an entire choir from the local elementary school.  Another example- we work with "volunteers" that have developmental/intellectual disabilities that would like to learn skills.  Typically, they help set up our dining room and socialize with clients during non activity time.  Again, they are supervised- how do the requirements apply to them?  Much of our involvement with community would decline and limit our person centered approach.  Volunteers may not be able to encure the fees for the checks and smaller non-profits will be unable to accomodate that cost either.

If we have paid vendors that come in for entertainment, what are the requirements regarding background checks and such?

Thank you,

Michael DiGeronimo