Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11191996 - C136 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS �.5----L Contra FROM: Phil Batchelor, County Administrator Costa November 19 , 1996 _ 4° County DATE: �osTq c6u itt �4v, Volunteer Program Policy SUBJECT: SPECIFIC REOUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION APPROVE the County Volunteer Program Policy as revised. BACKGROUND The Volunteer Program Policy was first adopted by the Board of Supervisors on May 16, 1978 . Subsequently, the Board has adopted several actions which impact the Policy. These are incorporated in the revised Policy. The County Administrator was directed to establish regulations and criteria governing the administration of the volunteer program. The Policy delegates to the County Administrator the approval of volunteer programs meeting the established criteria. In addition, the Policy adds the requirement for volunteers to waive claims against the County for injuries incurred during the performance of the volunteer services, allows the County to provide necessary medical care through the Health Services Department, and excludes the costs of automobile damage as the County' s liability. The Policy does not change the County' s use of volunteers nor the services volunteers may provide. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: Dean Lucas 335-1077 ATTESTED�� - 19 / 99k County Administrator PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF All County Departments SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR (via CAO) BY � * DEPUTY M382 (10/88) CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Martinez, California VOLUNTEER PROGRAM POLICY The use of volunteers in performing specific services is a valuable resource and provides an avenue for citizen participation in various County programs which is recognized as being of public benefit. In recognition of the benefits which may be derived from volunteer services, it is hereby declared that it shall be County policy to encourage and promote volunteer programs determined to be in the public interest. It is County policy that volunteers will not replace County employees but will provide services to supplement or enrich regular County programs and services . This policy statement is designed to provide the framework for County volunteer programs and activities . The following guidelines are adopted for volunteer programs . A. Volunteer Programs A description of each volunteer program shall be submitted by the department head to the County Administrator for review and approval . Factors to be considered in evaluating programs are the need for and public benefit to be derived from the volunteer program, associated County cost and staff effort required for such a program, the potential for injury to volunteers, and the possibility for injury to others including injuries giving rise to possible liability claims . The County Administrator may adopt regulations governing the administration of this volunteer program. B. Volunteers A volunteer is defined as a person who renders services gratuitously and has been accepted in the volunteer program. The volunteer is not an employee of the County. In recognition of the benefit to the County derived from volunteer services, and in return for their waiver on their own behalf and on behalf of their heirs, representatives, and assigns of any claim against the County of Contra Costa, other agency governed by the Board of Supervisors, and any agent, officer, or employee thereof, for illness, injury, debts, or without limitation any other harm arising from such volunteer services, authorized volunteers serving in approved programs shall be provided the benefits indicated below: 1 . Injury to Volunteer. Contra Costa County volunteers are not entitled to workers ' compensation benefits . In lieu thereof and in return for the volunteer' s waiver of any claim against the County for illness, injury or other harm arising from acts or occurrences while providing volunteer services, the County shall provide, in the case of volunteer illness, injury or death resulting from acts or occurrences while providing authorized volunteer services, through self-insurance, for reimbursement of County authorized necessary medical expenses, and for minimum permanent disability compensation equal to that afforded under the workers ' compensation laws of California, provided, however, that no temporary disability compensation shall be paid; that medical expenses shall be limited to reimbursement for expenditures otherwise qualified for reimbursement which are not covered by the volunteer' s health plan, other available insurance coverage, or other third party (i .e. , Federal, State or other payment) ; and that the County may elect to have the County' s Health Service Department provide the volunteer' s necessary medical care. 2 . Public Liability. The County through its self-insurance program shall defend and indemnify volunteers upon request against liability claims initiated by third parties arising out of the volunteer's acts or omissions occurring within the scope of authorized volunteer service, unless the volunteer acted or failed to act because of actual malice, fraud, corruption or gross negligence. Volunteers may be permitted to operate County vehicles in the performance of authorized volunteer services . Volunteers using County or personal automobiles in performing authorized services must maintain liability insurance at limits which as a minimum comply with the California Financial Responsibility Law and must have a driver' s license. The protection afforded by the County shall be in excess only of any other public liability or automobile insurance maintained by or which provides coverage for the volunteer, and shall not cover any damages to the volunteer' s vehicle, including any deductible amount. 3 . Expense Reimbursement. Volunteers may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses in performance of authorized volunteer services at the same rates and in accordance with regulations and procedures established for County employees . No reimbursement will be made for any child care expenses; mileage from the personal residence of the volunteer to the County facility or service location, unless authorized and funded by a federally-funded or state-funded program approved by the Board of Supervisors; or for damage to personal vehicles or other property of volunteers used when performing authorized volunteer services .