Board hears plan to streamline volunteer clearances and ease barriers on TB testing and fingerprinting

Vanisa Pan, director of programs at the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), presented proposed amendments to the volunteer policy aimed at increasing volunteer capacity in schools. Key elements include allowing volunteers to serve up to 15 hours per week under direct school supervision, clarifying level‑two supervision requirements (volunteers must be under direct sightline of CPS staff while working with students), designating a vendor for fingerprinting at no cost to volunteers, and aligning TB screening with the Office of Student Health and Wellness and Chicago Department of Public Health guidance.

Board members repeatedly raised the cost and access barriers presented by TB testing and fingerprinting. Member Dor asked what steps would reduce TB testing costs; FACE staff responded they will provide a list of low‑cost clinics and consider mobile clinics or on‑site vendor visits for fingerprinting at schools. Member Bora raised a separate but related question about parent‑mentor stipends and their effect on eligibility to serve on LSCs; staff identified that stipend rules and ethics policies are handled in separate processes and will follow up.