P.R.O. KIDS ~ HOW IT WORKS

                                                                                             

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS

 

 

1.    Applications are processed as they are received:  no one gets preferential treatment.

 

2.    P.R.O. Kids allows children to access one activity each season.

 

3.    The service is for children/teens who are not currently participating in other paid recreation programs.  It is not intended to supplement participation in more than one activity at a time.

 

 

4.    The parent/guardian or youth is responsible for registering directly with the identified partner organization once P.R.O. Kids has linked them.  This could mean phoning the partner contact person; signing up on registration day; or filling in forms – it will vary from program to program.

 

5.    The parent/guardian is responsible for ensuring that the child attends the program.  If transportation or equipment is an issue, encourage them to contact P.R.O. Kids for assistance.

 

 

6.    If, for some reason, the child can no longer participate, the parent/guardian must contact the program through a P.R.O. Kids Coordinator, so the space can be filled by another child.

 

7.    If the parent/teen encounters any problem with the program, they are responsible for contacting P.R.O. Kids:  a Coordinator will resolve it.            

                                     

 

 

FROM INTEREST TO PLACEMENT

There are three ways that a child can gain access to recreation through P.R.O. Kids:

           Direct Application              Direct                                       Access through

           P.R.O. Kids                           Agency Referral                     Partner organization

                                                                                                          or personal reference

           

           Parent/teen contacts the                        Agency in the community                       Organization/individual contacts

           Parks & Recreation Department.            discusses P.R.O. Kids with family          Coordinators with information

           If unfamiliar with P.R.O. Kids, the            or teen and contacts the P.R.O. Kids      about a child/youth who could

           Coordinators describes the service          Coordinators for information on                benefit from accessing recreation

           and encourages the candidate to            behalf of the family.                                  programs.  They agree to serve as

           consider which recreation activity            Coordinator sends an application            the reference.  Coordinators send

           they would like to become involved          to the agency.  In this case the               an application to the contact

           with.  Application is sent.                        agency representative acts as the           person.

                                                           reference.

           _______________________        _____________________                       ______________________

 

           Parent/teen returns the completed           Agency representative assists the           Organization/Individual helps the

           application and the Coordinators             family/teen to complete the form              applicant complete the application

           date-stamps it immediately.                    and returns it to the Coordinators            and returns it to the Coordinators

                                                                       who date-stamps it immediately.             who date-stamps it immediately.

 

 

           Coordinator contacts the applicant directly to discuss the activity and placement in the activity.  Coordinators ensures that

           the applicant is clear that P.R.O. Kids places children in one activity.  Some activities have specific criteria –

           parental fund-raising and / or equipment requirements – and the Coordinators will notify the applicants of these.

 

 

           Coordinator calls reference to verify need.

 

           Coordinator informs partner organization that P.R.O. Kids spot has been filled and gives the participant’s name, age, and

           telephone number as well as the name of the parent / guardian.

 

           Coordinator calls the parent / guardian to inform them of the placement, and to remind them to contact the program for

           direct registration – P.R.O. Kids does NOT register participants, they must do it themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

POLICY: Long Term (Annual) Placements

 

Ø     Programs such as Hockey, Martial Arts, Music Lessons and Dance require long-term commitment over the span of many months.

 

Ø     Applicants must re-apply to P.R.O. Kids at intervals that correspond with the partner organization’s registration requirements.

 

Ø     Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis, taking the following into consideration.

 

a)    The impact of removing a child from an activity that they have been involved in, recognizing

That this can be more damaging than not having the opportunity at all.

b)    The effect the program has had on the child up until the point of re-application.

 

Ø     P.R.O. Kids will consult with the partner organization with regards to the impact the program has had on the child.

 

Ø     P.R.O. Kids will consult with the parent or youth involved in the program to help determine the impact on the program.

 

Ø     A financial contribution towards the registration fee will be encouraged.

 

Ø     Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

 

POLICY:  Seasonal Applications

 

           Applications can be considered one season ahead in order to ensure that information provided is current.                        References must be provided on each application. 

 

Season                        Key Distribution                    Applications Accepted

 

Spring                          March (early)                                      March 1st

Summer                       May (early)                                          May 1st

Fall                                August (mid)                                      August 1st

Winter                           December (early)                              November 15th