SRVUSD Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Volunteer Requirements
Website: SRVUSD Volunteer Requirements
Q. Can I complete the 2025-26 Livescan background check prior to June 1?
A. No. Be A Mentor is updating their system and forms for a June 1 release. Forms and links in the BAM dashboard for 2024-25 will be updated to the correct versions on June 1, 2025. BAM will send an email to all volunteers in their system on June 1 with instructions for the new requirements.
Q. What is the process to register a parent or community volunteer?
A. All volunteers must register through the District’s Volunteer Management System, Be A Mentor (BAM). To get started, go to the SRVUSD Volunteers webpage.
Q. Why does the District have these requirements?
A. These requirements have been implemented as an additional safety measure to ensure an appropriate level of screening for adult volunteers. The system will also provide a better and more systematic way of tracking adults who volunteer on our school campuses. For 2025-26: all SRVUSD volunteers must meet the requirements listed in California Assembly Bill 506.
Q. Do parents need to register as volunteers?
A. Parents who are on campus to volunteer for roles including, but not limited to, the following: classroom aide, volunteer school support, field trip/athletic event chaperone, field trip/athletic event driver, and overnight chaperone, must register with BAM.
Q. What is the volunteer management system, and is my information kept confidential?
A. SRVUSD has partnered with Be A Mentor, Inc. (BAM) to support the registration and screening process of school volunteers. Volunteers register online through a system hosted by Be A Mentor, Inc. This partnership allows us to register school volunteers and ensure all clearance requirements are met. SRVUSD will maintain control of all information collected during the online registration process. All information is kept private and is used only by the school district.
Q. What type(s) of clearance do I need in order to volunteer at a school?
A. As of July 1, 2025, the SRVUSD volunteer role includes two (2) levels of clearance: Level 1 (cleared for
all events, no driving clearance) or Level 2 (cleared for all events, including driving clearance). Choose the
level of clearance you will need based on your anticipated involvement.
Effective July 1, 2025, the Level 3 volunteer designation will be discontinued.
Q. Can I bring my other children when volunteering on a field trip?
A. No. Siblings are not permitted per AR 6153.
Q. What types of school events can I attend that do NOT require clearance through the volunteer clearance process SRVUSD uses via Be A Mentor (BAM)?
A. Most events where students attend with their parents/guardians—or where students are not present—do not require clearance through SRVUSD’s volunteer management system, BAM. This includes Open House, Back-to-School Night, performances, parent-teacher conferences, award ceremonies, and meetings or events organized by PTSA, Ed Fund, or Booster groups.
Q. What types of PTA or Education Fund-sponsored school events can I attend that do NOT require clearance through the volunteer clearance process SRVUSD uses via Be A Mentor (BAM)?
A. Most events hosted by outside organizations do not require clearance through SRVUSD’s volunteer management system, BAM. Examples include International nights, movie nights, carnivals, athletics, theater and music events, speech and debate, robotics events, etc.
Q. Do adults attending a PTA or Ed Fund meeting on a school campus need to be registered in BAM and show proof of clearance?
A. No. The volunteer clearance requirements do not apply during the school day in instances where parents or caregivers are on campus for meetings or other authorized events with no direct interaction with students, including PTA or Ed Fund Affiliate meetings.
Q. Do adults attending a meeting with a Principal or other staff member on a school campus need to be registered in BAM and show proof of BAM clearance?
A. No. Adults attending these types of meetings on school campuses are not in direct contact with students and do not require clearance through SRVUSD’s volunteer management system, BAM.
Q. Why is TB clearance required for all volunteers?
A. California Education Code 49406 and Board Policy 1240 require TB clearance for volunteers with frequent or prolonged contact with students. EC 49406 states: “A volunteer in a school shall also be required to have on file with the school a certificate showing that, upon initial volunteer assignment, the person submitted to a tuberculosis risk assessment and, if tuberculosis risk factors were identified, was examined and found to be free of infectious tuberculosis.”
Q. Can volunteers complete a TB Risk Assessment Waiver instead of the actual test?
A. The volunteer should consult with their medical provider about the best option for them.
Q. Who pays for volunteers to get TB tested?
A. The volunteer covers any costs associated with getting TB clearance from their medical provider. Please refer to the Volunteer Handbook for more information on providers.
Q. If I am a current SRVUSD staff member, and also a parent/caregiver who wants to volunteer, how do I show proof of TB?
A. Staff can get proof of TB clearance from the District Office or upload a screenshot of their ESS screen showing when TB expires, and upload it to the BAM system.
Q. Why is a background check required for all volunteers?
A. California Assembly Bill 506 states: An administrator, employee, or regular volunteer of a youth service organization shall undergo a background check pursuant to Section 11105.3 of the Penal Code to identify and exclude any persons with a history of child abuse.
Q. Who pays for volunteers to complete a background check?
A. The volunteer covers any costs associated with Livescan fingerprinting for the purposes of submitting to a background check with the California Department of Justice and the FBI. Please refer to the Volunteer Handbook for more information on providers.
Q. I have been fingerprinted for another organization. Do I need to do it again to volunteer?
A. Yes. Livescan results and information are specific to an organization. SRVUSD/BAM does not have access to fingerprinting results completed through other organizations. You will need to complete Livescan fingerprinting for SRVUSD/BAM in order to be cleared to volunteer in SRVUSD, even if you have been fingerprinted previously for other organizations.
Q. Do staff members need to be fingerprinted again to be cleared as a volunteer?
A. Yes, SRVUSD staff must complete Livescan fingerprinting using the BAM Livescan form.
Q. How does a staff member volunteering as a parent show proof of completion of online training for Mandated Reporters and Sexual Harassment Prevention?
A. Staff can upload their Keenan certificates of completion to meet the BAM online training requirement.
Q. I need to add/change schools or a volunteer activity. How can I do that?