CoachArt Volunteer Training

Training Overview

● About CoachArt

● Best practices in interacting with our families

● Organizational Policies

About CoachArt

Our Mission

CoachArt’s mission is to create a transformative arts and athletics community for families impacted by childhood chronic illness.

Chronic Illness and CoachArt Kids

A chronic physical illness is one that:

● Affects a physical part of the body, such as cancer, diabetes, asthma● Requires 3 months or more of

consistent treatment/care● Is not solely developmental or

cognitive

CoachArt students are ages

5-18 years old

Diagnoses of CoachArt Students

CoachArt Programs

In-Home Lessons

Clubs

Program Partner Scholarships

In-Home Lesson Structure

1 Volunteer

1 Student

8 Weeks

In-Home Lesson ActivitiesCulinary Arts:Baking, Cooking

Music: Drums, Guitar, Piano, Voice

Performing Arts: Acting/Theater, Improv/Comedy, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern Tap

Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Soccer, Martial Arts, Golf, Yoga

Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, Photography

Literary Arts: Songwriting, Poetry

Before The Match

● Matches based on interest, location, time availability.

● Design a lesson outline● Arrange for lesson

materials pickup.● Introduce yourself!

During The Lesson

● Communicate with

CoachArt & family.

● Save receipts.

● Rollover? Change activity

or student? Take a break?

Club Structure

Group of Volunteers

Group of Students

Community Location

8 Weeks

Lessons Timeline

● Week 1: Introduction○ CoachArt representative present, volunteer intros,

expectations, skills assessments

● Week 2 - 7: Programming

● Week 8: Wrap Up + Celebration: ○ Awards, guest athlete/artist or special event

CoachArt Best PracticesCoachArt Best Practices

The Impact of Chronic Illness on a Child

● Physical changes● Mood changes● Embarrassment● Hard to make/keep friends● May not be able to

participate in mainstream activities

● Financial limitations

Impact of Illness on the Family

Siblings may develop feelings of:NeglectSadnessJealousy

EmbarrassmentAngerIsolation

Parents may be:Stressed EmotionalTired OverwhelmedProtective

What should you do?Be sensitive Embrace patienceBe flexiblel

Go-To Techniques

“The lesson has to be…moving

and changing to meet the needs of the child or adolescent’s

creative curiosity, drive, limitations and strengths, as opposed to

fulfilling one’s own goal of

teaching everything one

knows.”

- Photography Volunteer,

Marcus Bockman

● Treat kids like they are NOT sick● Make adjustments as you see limitations

come up● Avoid Assuming Preferences● Kids may be shy at first; you can ask fun

questions to help them open up● Work together and side-by- side● Activity is a vehicle for social interaction.

Other Tips and Tricks

● One simple objective per day and set a goal!● Build toward a greater project!● Create a secret handshake!● Have a plan B.

CoachArt Policies

Social Media

*If students or families are in a photo, request permission from them directly to post first, no last names or confidential info*Facebook: CoachArt

Instagram: CoachArtorg Twitter: CoachArtorgTag #iheartcoachart

Confidentiality

● Anything you learn or hear about must remain confidential

● “Need-to-know” disclosure

● Never ask, but families may disclose

● Diagnosis and health issues

● Contact information● Personal and economic

information

Families trust us What is confidential information?

** If you learn that someone is hurting him/herself or others, report to a parent, supervisor, or CoachArt immediately.

Health and Safety

Successful precautions as a CoachArt Volunteer:

● DO NOT expose yourself to any bodily fluids● If a child cuts him/herself, have the parent or

guardian attend to it● Cancel if you are under-the-weather● Always wash hands before and after lesson ● Always sanitize materials before and after lesson

Reminders Boundaries● Confirm presence of guardian/supervisor● Check with CoachArt before seeing your student

outside of lesson ● DO NOT drive students in your carCommunication● Call CoachArt with concerns, scheduling issues,

activity expenses● No communication = deactivation Dress Code● Comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes!

Next Steps

● Welcome Email and Handbook

● Volunteer Newsletter● Contact with your Program

Manager!

Welcome to the Team!