Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Direct-service volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the volunteer hub to sign up. The Office of Volunteer and Community Engagement will reach out to you shortly with the next steps.
DFPS volunteers must meet the age requirements, complete the volunteer application and clear a background check. Then, volunteers must attend an orientation and, in some cases, complete online training that can be found on the Volunteer Training page.
Yes! With the exception of group volunteers, we require that all DFPS volunteers complete a background check.
A direct-service volunteer works one-on-one with a child, parent, family, or person that is elderly or has disabilities. Due to the sensitive nature of these opportunities, all direct service volunteers must complete additional training, which can be found on the Volunteer Orientation and Trainings page.
During volunteer orientation, the volunteer coordinator will discuss the different divisions within the agency, expectations and required trainings. After completing orientation and the online training (direct-service opportunities only), you will be introduced to a supervisor who will assign tasks and answer any questions.
Volunteers who are driving parents, aging adults or people with disabilities, must:
- complete the volunteer application
- receive background check clearance
- possess a valid driver’s license
- sign a confidentiality form
- sign the Transport and Essential Duties form
- be properly insured with personal liability and property damage insurance
- have a valid license plate
- have a valid inspection sticker
- have seat belts
Yes. If all requirements are met, volunteers can drive parents over the age of 18, older adults, and people with disabilities. Volunteers cannot drive children ages 17 and under.
Volunteers who openly carry, are to follow the same policies and procedures as DFPS staff. Contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area for more information.
Volunteer schedules vary based on the assignment. We will work with a volunteer’s schedule. We prefer that volunteers make a minimum commitment of six months.
There are limited volunteer opportunities on the weekend. Contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area for a list of potential opportunities.
For volunteers living in the Austin area, the Texas Youth Helpline needs volunteers after normal business hours and on weekends.
We welcome interns year round. Internship opportunities are available across all DFPS divisions. Background check processing and intern placement can take time, so please contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area at least two months prior to the intended start date.
Volunteers are eligible to receive class credit as long as their DFPS internship meets all of the requirements specified by the university. Interns must communicate their internship requirements to their assigned supervisor prior to their internship start date.
Volunteer group opportunities may consist of organizing the Emergency Resource Rooms, shopping and wrapping presents for clients, or putting on a special event. Opportunities vary based on the location and the current need. For a list of potential group projects, please contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area.
Community based groups such as a civic clubs, corporate teams, or church groups are valued community partners. If a group is interested in volunteering, they must reach out to the local volunteer coordinator via email. Then, the local coordinator matches the group with the best-fit opportunity. We ask that you make arrangements for volunteer groups no later than 30 days prior to the desired volunteer date.
A group identifies a group leader who submits their volunteer application and supplies information for a background check. A volunteer group project is a one-time event with minimal access to clients. In most cases, it is not necessary to process a volunteer application for each member of the group. For more information on volunteer group opportunities, contact the local volunteer coordinator in your area.
Yes! We encourage family volunteering. Families fall into our volunteer group category, and are subject to the same requirements as group volunteers. A parent will need to reach out to the local volunteer coordinator for a list of opportunities in their area.