Answers to commonly asked questions about the Westmoreland Children First Advisory Board
1. Do Advisory Board members have direct contact with the children?
No, the advisory board does not interact directly with children under the care of the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau.
2. Do board members need to be aware of current laws and legislation regarding child welfare?
No, employees of the Children’s Bureau are trained and fully knowledgeable of the laws and report new legislation to the advisory board.
3. What training is required for members of the advisory board?
There is no specific training required for board members. Each new board member receives a brief introduction to the Children’s Bureau as well as a tour of the Bureau. This is typically completed an hour prior to a regularly scheduled advisory board meeting.
4. Are advisory board members expected to financially support the Children’s Bureau?
Members are encouraged to participate and contribute to events and committees.
5. Is there a large time commitment in being a board member?
There is not a large time commitment in being a board member. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, which typically last an hour and a half. Each board member selects a committee to join, which generally requires only minimal time over the course of a year.
However, there are occasional active periods. For example, in the past, board members have helped provide beds for needy children, established a literacy library inside the Children’s Bureau for children and their parents, and manned a booth at community events to publicize the board’s work and the accomplishments of the Children’s Bureau.
Members also volunteer to attend occasional Children’s Bureau activities, such as the annual retreat, where we present longevity awards to the staff, and the annual Independent Living banquet.
In conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness month (April), board members plan and serve an appreciation brunch for all Children’s Bureau employees.
Moreover, all board members participate in planning an annual Wine & Chocolate Gala, for which board members contribute baskets. The gala raises funds to cover the costs of winter outerwear for children under the Bureau’s care, and for other similar needs. Board members volunteer to buy holiday gifts for children (unidentified, but designated by age, gender and size) who may not otherwise receive presents.
6. Do board members need to be in the child care or child services field?
People outside of the child care field have a lot to offer. We have a great diversity of members from Westmoreland County who offer many different perspectives that assist in supporting Westmoreland Children First’s mission statement.
No, the advisory board does not interact directly with children under the care of the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau.
2. Do board members need to be aware of current laws and legislation regarding child welfare?
No, employees of the Children’s Bureau are trained and fully knowledgeable of the laws and report new legislation to the advisory board.
3. What training is required for members of the advisory board?
There is no specific training required for board members. Each new board member receives a brief introduction to the Children’s Bureau as well as a tour of the Bureau. This is typically completed an hour prior to a regularly scheduled advisory board meeting.
4. Are advisory board members expected to financially support the Children’s Bureau?
Members are encouraged to participate and contribute to events and committees.
5. Is there a large time commitment in being a board member?
There is not a large time commitment in being a board member. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, which typically last an hour and a half. Each board member selects a committee to join, which generally requires only minimal time over the course of a year.
However, there are occasional active periods. For example, in the past, board members have helped provide beds for needy children, established a literacy library inside the Children’s Bureau for children and their parents, and manned a booth at community events to publicize the board’s work and the accomplishments of the Children’s Bureau.
Members also volunteer to attend occasional Children’s Bureau activities, such as the annual retreat, where we present longevity awards to the staff, and the annual Independent Living banquet.
In conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness month (April), board members plan and serve an appreciation brunch for all Children’s Bureau employees.
Moreover, all board members participate in planning an annual Wine & Chocolate Gala, for which board members contribute baskets. The gala raises funds to cover the costs of winter outerwear for children under the Bureau’s care, and for other similar needs. Board members volunteer to buy holiday gifts for children (unidentified, but designated by age, gender and size) who may not otherwise receive presents.
6. Do board members need to be in the child care or child services field?
People outside of the child care field have a lot to offer. We have a great diversity of members from Westmoreland County who offer many different perspectives that assist in supporting Westmoreland Children First’s mission statement.
