Volunteer Opportunities

Our volunteers play a vital role in helping parents navigate the special education process and make a difference in the lives of children and families every day. Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions about how to become one of our amazing volunteers.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN IN*SOURCE VOLUNTEER?

You become part of the largest network of individuals in Indiana dedicated to supporting parents and families of children with special needs. Our regional teams welcome you into their work and you will be provided with volunteer resources to help provide growth and guidance in deciding where to give your time. You will learn what protocols we follow including ways to initiate volunteering work on your own as well as be connected to opportunities that we might be able to share if they meet your interests and time availability. With your permission and without your contact information, you will be recognized on the IN*SOURCE website as qualified to assist families. 

HOW DO VOLUNTEERS HELP?

Based on interest, volunteers select from five areas of engagement, to work in their local communities in the following ways. 

  • Educate your community about IN*SOURCE through outreach.

  • Represent IN*SOURCE at Resource Fairs at schools and community events.

  • Assist a Special Education Liaison with training.

  • Provide individual assistance to help parents advocate for their children.

  • Generate enthusiasm in your community and assist with our fundraising efforts.

HOW DO I GET THE TRAINING I NEED TO BE A VOLUNTEER?

Part of the application process requires you to take a pretest to be used to measure your relative current knowledge. You may be asked to continue with online classes or other exercises that will reinforce special education information and regulations based on your areas of need. New volunteers will meet their regional teams and develop a supportive relationship with the liaisons in their area. You will be connected to resources and continued opportunities to learn and grow as a member of the regional team.

HOW MUCH TIME WILL BE REQUIRED OF ME?

After completing the onboarding, your time commitment is dependent upon your availability and interests. It is totally up to you how much time you invest in this role. You will work with your regional IN*SOURCE staff to learn about opportunities to support the work of IN*SOURCE in your area.

DO I NEED TO MAINTAIN MY STATUS AS A VOLUNTEER?

IN*SOURCE provides ongoing support to our volunteers through continuing education, newsletters, webinars, and frequent opportunities for networking with staff and other volunteers. To maintain status as an IN*SOURCE volunteer, we ask our volunteers meet regularly with IN*SOURCE staff in their region and participate in at least three hours (or 180 points when counted as minutes) of continuing education per year. 

You can visit our webinar training schedule and check out the IN*SOURCE training calendar for additional opportunities to participate in training events. Training opportunities are outlined in our IN*TOUCH Weekly newsletter, so please subscribe. We also host a weekly continuing education discussion for our staff in which volunteers are invited and welcomed to participate. You can join Lunch with Lesa every Tuesday (except the last Tuesday of the month) at 12 noon ET.

Volunteers are required to annually renew and abide by a Code of Ethics as well as maintain current knowledge and understanding of our resources as determined necessary as part of your individual growth plan. 

WHAT IS THE COST?

There is no cost to the training that is required to become or maintain your status as a volunteer. 

HOW DO I GET STARTED? 

So you want to join a vital and growing network of parent leaders who provide valuable assistance to other families in your community? Then start by completing:

  1. Our Pretest

  2. This Application 

  3. The Code of Ethics Acknowledgement Form

Once the first three steps are completed, we will reach out to you for an intake interview with a leader in the organization who will set you up for next steps. This will include reviewing the pretest for individual growth plan, gaining access to IN*SOURCE resources and additional required onboarding learning through our Google Classroom. If you have any questions, please email Volunteer Support. 

We greatly appreciate your willingness to serve and look forward to hearing from you!