Big Brothers Big Sisters has specific policies in place that you should have knowledge of and comply with. These policies are established to protect the best interest of the parties involved in the match relationship as well as the interest of Big Brothers Big Sisters. We ask for your cooperation in complying with these policies. Direct disregard of these policies may result in termination of the match. If you have any questions regarding these policies please feel free to contact a Match Specialist.

Policies
Overnight Policy (Community Based Matches and Site Based Matches with Waiver Only)
Insurance Policy
Matching Policy
Non-Discrimination Policy
Confidentiality Policy
THERE ARE HOWEVER CERTAIN THINGS THAT MUST NOT BE KEPT SECRET:

Community Based Match Responsibilities
The Big’s Responsibilities
The Parents’ Responsibility
The Little’s Responsibility

Policies

Overnight Policy (Community Based Matches and Site Based Matches with Waiver Only)
Little Brother/Sister and their Big Brother/Sister are asked not to have an overnight visit during the first six months of the match. It is requested that the volunteer or parent of a child inform the agency of any arrangements prior to the first overnight. In the instance of all subsequent overnights, the Big Brother/Sister must notify and receive permission from the child’s parent.
The match support specialist must be notified of these visits by either the volunteer or parent during the course of match supervision. For all overnight visits, separate sleeping arrangements must be made for the Little Brother/Sister. It is not allowable to sleep in the same bed, bedroll, or sleeping bag, etc. It is strongly advised that the match does not sleep in the same room if at all possible. There shall be no overnight visits for matches in the School Based Mentoring or Club Based programs.

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Insurance Policy
All Big Brothers/Sisters matched in the program must drive an insured vehicle. The expected coverage should at least be in accordance with Wisconsin’s minimum state limits of 25/50/10. Proof of their insurability and the limits of their policy must be provided. A photocopy of this will be filed at the agency.
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Matching Policy
It is the policy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region to provide alternative matching services in order to more effectively meet the needs of the children we serve. These services include:

Couples matching: Two individuals may wish to become involved in the program by being matched with a child. Each person must meet all preliminary requirements of eligibility, and each must complete the entire intake procedure. During the intake procedure we will assess the stability of the two individuals wishing to mentor a child, responsibilities in the match, and establish an understanding of who will be the primary person in the match. Each case is reviewed individually and appropriateness will be evaluated. Both individuals must be accepted in the program for a couples match to be made. Due to the traditionally larger waiting list of boys in our program, couples matches will be encouraged to be matched with a Little Brother.

Cross-gender matching: A Little Brother/Big Sister match can occur if the child, parent, and volunteer agrees to such a match. A match will not occur between a Big Brother and a Little Sister.

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Non-Discrimination Policy
Sexual preference and matching: A volunteer’s sexual preference will not hinder his/her ability to be matched with a child in the program. However, his/her sexual preference will be divulged to the parent of the child he/she is being matched with. The parent will determine if he/she will accept.
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Confidentiality Policy
Given the nature of our program and the fact that we are working to develop strong one-to-one relationships, our mentors may be introduced to sensitive and extremely personal information about the Little that they are matched with. All Big Brothers and Big Sisters in the program must agree and adhere to strict confidential treatment of all information pertaining to areas of concern and background for the parties involved. You are to share private information only with the Big Brothers Big Sisters professional staff. Big Brothers Big Sisters encourage confidentiality between the Big and the Little. In order for a trusting relationship to develop, friends need to feel confident that their thoughts and feelings will not be shared with others without permission.
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THERE ARE HOWEVER CERTAIN THINGS THAT MUST NOT BE KEPT SECRET:
Any time that the mentor is concerned about the health and well being of the Little or family. Any time the mentor learns about or suspect physical, sexual abuse or neglect, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region is required by law to report to the proper authorities within twenty-four hours of notification.
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Community Based Match Responsibilities

The Big’s Responsibilities
1. Volunteer is expected to get together weekly with their Little Brother/Little Sister. It is the volunteer's responsibility to call and make/cancel all appointments. Volunteer is responsible to get permission and to ensure that the parent is aware of the date, time and activity.
2. Volunteer should know what their Little Brother’s/ Little Sister’s mealtime is. If volunteer keeps the child out later than the meal hour, it is the volunteer’s responsibility to feed the child. If a match activity poses the chance of running past the child’s bed time, the volunteer should communicate this ahead of time, so the parent can decide if it will be permissible.
3. Volunteer should encourage Little Brother/Little Sister to participate in his/her own family’s activities. Volunteer should not override family plans.
4. Volunteer is required to spend a major part of their time one to one with their Little Brother/Little Sister. It is permissible to share match outings with others in your life on occasion, but it shouldn’t occur excessively.
5. Volunteer is asked to refrain from taking siblings and Little’s friends on match outings.
6. Volunteer should not spend money excessively on the Little Brother/Little Sister. Volunteer should engage Little Brother/Little Sister in doing work projects to earn the money for special outings. Volunteer works out arrangements regarding additional expenses involved in the activities planned with their Little Brother/Little Sister. Any equipment purchased by volunteer for match activities should be kept at the volunteer’s home.
7. Volunteer is morally responsible to the parent to do everything he/she can to protect the Little Brother/Little Sister. Volunteer is not a legal guardian and, therefore, cannot sign anything in regard to Little Brother/Little Sister or his/her family.
8. Monthly/Quarterly contact with the match support specialist is a requirement. (Big is encouraged to initiate phone contact to help achieve this communication and is responsible to return calls from the agency.)
9. Volunteer is responsible for ensuring that overnights do not occur during the first six months of the match.
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The Parents’ Responsibility
1. Parent is responsible for assisting their child in meeting his/her responsibilities.
2. Parent should have their child ready to be picked up at the designated time and is responsible for being home when Big Brother/Big Sister brings Little Brother/Little Sister home.
3. Parent and Little Brother/Little Sister should not ask Big Brother/Big Sister to include siblings or friends on match outings.
4. Parent should not take away Big Brother/Big Sister visiting privileges as punishment for misbehavior.
5. If Little Brother/Little Sister is in some type of trouble, either at school or in the community, the parent is responsible for notifying the match support specialist so that he/she can be of assistance.
6. Parent can call a meeting at any time they desire to talk with their match support specialist and Big Brother/Big Sister, but they should refrain from discussing nonmatch related child or family problems with the Big Brother/Big Sister on their own.
7. Parent should have access to a telephone and any change in number or address should be reported to their match support specialist immediately.
8. The parent is the final judge as to whether the relationship of the Big Brother/Big Sister and Little Brother/Little Sister is working out satisfactorily and should keep their match support specialist apprised of their feelings during their follow-up.
9. Monthly/Quarterly contact with the match support specialist is a requirement. (Parent is encouraged to initiate phone contact to help achieve this communication and is responsible to return calls from the agency.)
10. Parent is responsible for ensuring that overnights do not occur during the first six months of the match.
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The Little’s Responsibility
1. Little Brother/Little Sister must work to maintain the friendship with the Big Brother/Big Sister while doing the best in school, at home, and in the community.
2. Little Brother/Little Sister will be expected to assist with work projects at Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s home or in the community.
3. Little Brother/Little Sister is expected to be on his/her best behavior. Misbehavior will result in returning the Little Brother/Little Sister home early.
4. Little Brother/Little Sister should have permission to call Big Brother/Big Sister, and calls should be limited.
5. If Little Brother/Little Sister cannot go on an outing because of some conflict, he/she should say no. If an outing must be cancelled, Little Brother/Little Sister should call the Big Brother/Big Sister as soon as possible.
6. Monthly/Quarterly contact with the match support specialist is a requirement. (Little is encouraged to return phone calls and/or initiate contact to help achieve this communication.)
Little Brothers/Little Sisters and their Big Brothers/Big Sisters are not allowed overnight visits during the first six months of the match. It is requested that the volunteer or parent of the child inform the agency of any arrangements prior to the first overnight. In the instance of all subsequent overnights, the Big Brother/Big Sister must notify and receive permission from the child’s parent. The match support specialist must be notified of these visits by either the volunteer or parent during the course of match supervision. For all overnight visits, separate sleeping arrangements must be made for the Little Brothers/Little Sisters. It is not allowable to sleep in the same bed, bedroll, or sleeping bag, etc. It is strongly advised that the match does not sleep in the same room, if at all possible.
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