(a) The agency shall have a policy clearly defining the qualifications, duties, and supervision of:

1. (1) Sponsors;
2. (2) Mentors; and
3. (3) Volunteers.

(b)

1. (1) A sponsor is a nonrelative person approved to take a child to the sponsor’s home.

2. (2) This does not include normal age-appropriate activities such as:

   1. (A) Overnight visits with friends;
   2. (B) Extracurricular activities;
   3. (C) Church activities; or
   4. (D) Short-term summer camps.

3. (3) A sponsor’s record shall contain the following documentation and narrative:

   1. (A)

(i) Documentation and narrative of at least one (1) home visit for evaluation purposes prior to visitation occurring.

1. (ii) A visual inspection of the home to ensure the home is appropriate and free of health and safety hazards;

   1. (B) At least three (3) nonrelative character references;
   2. (C) Documentation of Child Maltreatment Central Registry check, Division of Arkansas State Police criminal record checks, and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record checks, if applicable, as required for all household members; and

   3. (D) Documentation of continuing contact and an annual inspection of the sponsor’s home to ensure continued compliance.

      1. (c)
2. (1) A mentor is a person who offers supportive services to the child on-campus or off-campus.

3. (2) Examples include but are not limited to:

   1. (A) Shopping;
   2. (B) Movies; or
   3. (C) Sporting events.

4. (3) A mentor’s record shall contain:

   1. (A) At least three (3) nonrelative character references; and

   2. (B) Documentation of Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks, Division of Arkansas State Police criminal record checks, and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record checks, if applicable.

      1. (d)
5. (1) A volunteer is a nonpaid person who donates their time or service, or both, to an agency or the child.

6. (2) A volunteer:

   1. (A) Who provides direct care, substitutes as staff, and is counted in the staff-to-child ratio shall meet all qualifications required for a paid employee in that position; and
   2. (B) Shall have appropriate supervision by a designated staff person.

(e)

1. (1) A student intern is a student or a recent graduate who is undergoing supervised practical training at an agency.

2. (2) Student interns:

   1. (A) Who provide direct care, substitute as staff, and are counted in the staff-to-child ratio shall meet all qualifications required for a paid employee in that position; and
   2. (B) Shall have appropriate supervision by a designated staff person.