This part establishes rules to assure that the services of volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program, and The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), are limited to activities which would not otherwise be performed by employed workers and which will not supplant the hiring of, or result in the displacement of employed workers or impair existing contracts for service. This part implements section 404(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113 (the “Act”).

[80 FR 63457, Oct. 20, 2015]

(a) All volunteers in either the Foster Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program, or The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), who are assigned, referred or serving pursuant to grants, contracts, or agreements made pursuant to the Act.

(b) All agencies and organizations to which the volunteers in paragraph (a) of this section are assigned, referred or provide services.

[40 FR 16209, Apr. 10, 1975, as amended at 80 FR 63457, Oct. 20, 2015]

(a) Volunteers enrolled or participating in programs referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of § 1216.1-2 may not perform any services or duties or engage in activities which would otherwise be performed by an employed worker as part of his assigned duties as an employee.

(b) Volunteer referred to in paragraph (a) of this section may not perform any services or duties or engage in activities which will supplant the hiring of employed workers. This prohibition is violated if, prior to engaging a volunteer, an agency or organization referred to in § 1216.1-2(c) had intended to hire a person to undertake all or a substantial part of the services, duties, or other activities to be provided by the volunteer.

(c) Volunteers referred to in paragraph (a) of this section may not perform any services or duties or engage in activities which result in the displacement of employed workers. Such volunteers may not perform services or duties which have been performed by or were assigned to, any of the following:

(1) Presently employed workers,

(2) Employees who recently resigned or were discharged,

(3) Employees who are on leave (terminal, temporary, vacation, emergency, or sick), or

(4) Employees who are on strike or who are being locked out.

(d) Volunteers referred to in paragraph (a) of this section may not perform any services or duties or engage in activities which impair existing contracts for service. This prohibition is violated if a contract for services is modified or cancelled because an agency or organization referred to in § 1216.1-2(b) engages a volunteer to provide or perform all or a substantial part of any services, duties, or other activities set forth in such contract. The term “contract for services” includes but is not limited to contracts, understandings and arrangements, either written or oral, to provide professional, managerial, technical, or administrative services.

(e) Agencies and organizations referred to in § 1216.1-2(b) are prohibited from assigning or permitting volunteers referred to in § 1216.1-2(a) to perform any services or duties or engage in any activities prohibited by paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section.

(a) The requirements of § 1216.1-3 are not applicable to the following, or similar, situations:

(1) Funds are unavailable for the employment of sufficient staff to accomplish a program authorized or of a character eligible for assistance under the Act and the activity, service, or duty is otherwise appropriate for the assignment of a volunteer.

(2) Volunteer services are required in order to avoid or relieve suffering threatened by or resulting from major natural disasters or civil disturbances.

(3) Reasonable efforts to obtain employed workers have been unsuccessful due to the unavailability of persons within the community who are able, willing, and qualified to perform the needed activities.

(4) The assignment of volunteers will significantly expand services to a target community over those which could be performed by existing paid staff, and the activity, service or duty is otherwise appropriate for the assignment of a volunteer and no actual displacement of paid staff will occur as a result of the assignment.

(b) For the purposes of paragraphs (a)(1) and (4) of this section, the assignment is not appropriate for the assignment of a volunteer if:

(1) The service, duty, or activity is principally a routine administrative or clerical task. This definition applies only to any service, duty, or activity performed by a volunteer receiving financial support apart from reimbursement for expenses.

(2) The volunteer is not directly in contact with groups or individuals whom the Act is designed to serve or is not performing services, duties, or engaged in activities authorized or of a character eligible for assistance under the Act.