The Potential Role of Voluntarism in JTPA. Urban Institute Policy Memorandum / Demetra Smith Nightingale and Others.

This policy memorandum provides a summary of what is known about voluntary activity in the United States in general and in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) service delivery areas (SDAs) in particular. It suggests possible short- and long-term policy strategies that might be used to increase the effectiveness of voluntary service in JTPA programs. The issue analysis is based on a review of literature and informal discussions with officials of national agencies and associations. The report is organized in four sections. Section I discusses briefly why the use of volunteers is important. Section II presents what is known about the numbers and characteristics of volunteers nationwide. Section III reviews experience to date with volunteers in employment-related programs in order to determine the types of services typically delivered by volunteers, the sources of volunteers, the potential costs involved in using volunteers, and possible barriers to their use. Section IV recommends possible policy alternatives for the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration to consider in promoting the use of volunteers in JTPA. Some of the conclusions reached by the study are that about half of U.S. citizens volunteer, with more women than men involved, that volunteers average 5 hours of service per week, and that it is important to provide training and request a time commitment in order to make the best use of volunteer help. The document includes 26 references and a list of discussants. (KC)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.