Interested in becoming an MCPS Volunteer? There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in our schools.
Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form as appropriate. These forms serve as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.
Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.
Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with a copy of the following:
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Online Training for Parents/GuardiansOnline Training Support Guide (All Users)
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Instructions for Parents/Guardians Only
A ParentVUE account is needed to access and complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training. If you have already activated your ParentVUE account, refer to the support guide linked above and follow the steps below:
If you do not have a ParentVue account, you will need to activate your ParentVUE account in order to access the training, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. To activate your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school and request a ParentVUE activation letter. This letter has a unique key assigned to you that will allow you to create an account that is linked to all of your children in MCPS.
Need help with ParentVUE? Answers can be found in the ParentVUE Support Guide and on the MCPS Digital Backpack webpage.
Volunteers at one-time events ALWAYS working under the supervision of MCPS staff members do NOT need to complete compliance measures other than registering as campus visitors through the Visitor Management System (VMS).
Examples:
Volunteers who regularly support school or school-sponsored activities must complete the MCPS online training on Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect.
Examples:
Volunteers who have frequent and independent contact with students, unsupervised by MCPS staff members, must complete the MCPS online training on Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect AND a criminal background check, including fingerprinting.
Examples:
Additional Compliance Measures for Regular and Frequent Volunteers:
As a community, we are mindful of our shared responsibility to create safe, nurturing environments for our students. MCPS is grateful for your commitment and partnership. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify volunteer training and background check requirements.
Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as members of the community interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and skills to support the students of Montgomery County.
All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training for volunteers and contractors. This training requirement also applies to student teachers and interns, volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal or recess, and those who attend field trips and chaperone outdoor education. The online training is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese.
While we encourage all volunteers to view the informative training, currently only individuals who regularly support schools must complete the training. Individuals who support at large events or those who assist at one-time events under the supervision of school staff members are not required to view the training at this time. Below are examples of the types of activities that do not require completion of the training:
Participation is recorded and tracked by MCPS. Schools will access a report listing the family and community members who have successfully completed the training.
No. If you have completed the MCPS Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training during the past three years, you do not have to retake the course. Any volunteer who completed the training in the 2021-2022 school year or prior, will need to renew their training certification in 2024-2025.
Yes. However, volunteer coaches, overnight or extended day chaperones must wait until their criminal background check and fingerprinting results have been returned (see below).
The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.
To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:
The following categories of volunteers are required to complete fingerprinting and background checks:
*All Athletics/Fine Arts trips travelling less than 100 miles on a single-day trip do not require fingerprint or background checks.
MCPS BACKGROUND SCREENING
The Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management (DSSEM) with MCPS is responsible for conducting a fingerprint review of individuals who are seeking employment, as well as those wishing to serve in the capacity of a volunteer, chaperone, coach, advisor, student-teacher, or intern. Such background checks are necessary to ensure a safe and secure learning and working environment.
For information regarding background screening for MCPS New Hires, Interns, and Volunteers/Chaperones please click here.
For information regarding background screening for MCPS Contractors please click here.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Fingerprinting: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)
Paperwork Submission: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)
Please contact the school you wish to volunteer directly. For concerns not addressed at the school level, contact the Office of School Support and Improvement, Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities at 240-740-3977. We also invite you to read our MCPS Volunteer Regulation to learn more about the requirements and expectations of school volunteers.
Shella B. Cherry, Director
Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities
Office: 240-740-3977