Volunteer training handbook
Everything a Noah's Buddy needs for Sunday in The Ark Room. Read it once before you serve, then use it as a cheat sheet. Print any page — the site chrome drops away.
Mission, vision, values
Project Noah helps kids of all abilities meet Jesus and thrive together at Saved By Grace — The Ark Room is their safe, joyful space.
Mission
Welcome and disciple children with disabilities and their families so they can know Jesus, belong in community, and grow in faith at Saved By Grace.
Vision
A church where every child is included in worship and learning, barriers are removed, and families experience respite, support, and friendship.
Belonging
Every child is an image-bearer with gifts to share.
Safety
Calm, predictable environments and trained volunteers.
Dignity & choice
Respect communication preferences; offer choices.
Partnership
Church and parents as one team.
Growth
Small steps matter; celebrate every milestone.
Gospel-centered
Scripture, prayer, and worship for every learner.
Roles & expectations (Noah's Buddies)
Ministry Lead
Coordinates schedule, parent communication, trainings, and policies.
Room Leader
Runs the Ark Room flow, assigns buddies, ensures safety and documentation.
Buddy
Supports one child (or small group) with inclusion, communication, regulation, and participation.
Floater
Helps with transitions, hallway support, parent paging, and breaks.
Check-In Host
Greets families, confirms pick-up adults, assigns the number tag, and ensures forms are complete.
Check-in, numbers & pick-up
Our number system is how we keep every child safe. Nothing skips this step.
- 1
Intake form
First-time families complete the All About Me intake before the child enters the Ark Room. Returning families confirm nothing has changed.
- 2
Number assigned
The child wears their number tag; the parent keeps the matching number card. Same number, every Sunday, so buddies learn it fast.
- 3
Buddy handoff
The buddy meets the child at the door, asks 'How are we doing today?', and walks them to the visual schedule.
- 4
Pick-up
No number card, no release. The card is matched to the tag by the Check-In Host before the child leaves the room.
Stations: (A) Welcome + check-in, (B) buddy handoff, (C) door safety. With only two volunteers, combine A and B and keep a leader at the door.
The Sunday flow
Sensory first, then worship, story, and craft — same order, every week.
- 10–5 min
Check-in
Intake / number tag, welcome by name, visual schedule and choice board.
- 25–15 min
Sensory
Heavy work, bins, and movement first — regulate before we ask for attention.
- 315–22 min
Worship
One familiar song with motions and simple instruments, the same way every week.
- 422–35 min
Story
Bible story with object lesson and picture book, adapted to three support levels.
- 535–50 min
Craft
Pre-cut, low-demand stations: craft, fine motor, movement. Noah's Nook always open.
- 650–60 min
Prayer & handoff
Prayer and blessing, token store, pack up, number-card parent handoff.
Safety essentials
- Two screened adults present at all times; follow church child-safety policies.
- Ratios: aim 1:1 for higher supports; otherwise 1 leader : 2–3 kids.
- Check-in/out: release only to the approved adult holding the matching number card.
- Allergies/medical: follow the child's Support Plan; volunteers do not administer medication.
- Toileting/diapering only with parent consent on file; two-adult rule and sanitation.
- Photos only with written consent; never post names without parent approval.
The ABC lens
Every behavior is communication. Use ABC to find what it is asking for — escape, attention, access, or sensory.
A — Antecedent
What happened right before? Transition, noise, demand, hunger, overstimulation.
B — Behavior
What exactly did you see or hear? Describe it neutrally and specifically.
C — Consequence
What happened right after? Attention, escape, access to an item, sensory change.
Example from the Ark Room
A: lights dim and the story starts with no warning. B: the child drops and screams. C: the child gets a break. Plan: visual countdown plus First–Then, teach a “Break, please” card, and reinforce calm requesting with a short, planned break.
- Praise effort — use errorless learning.
- Connect before you correct.
- Change the A, teach a replacement B, reshape the C.
- If overwhelmed: step back, reduce input, invite to Noah's Nook.
Support tools quick guide
Visual schedule
Show what happens next; reduces anxiety during transitions.
First–Then
Simplify expectations: “First ___, then ___.”
Choice cards
Offer two choices to increase cooperation and dignity.
Token board
Reinforce effort with small earned rewards.
Break / Help card
Teach a replacement for escape behaviors.
Noah's Nook
Quiet corner for regulation; use a timer and a calm-down menu.
De-escalation & helpful scripts
Low arousal: lower the stimulation, use minimal words and a calm tone, offer regulation supports, and prompt the replacement skill. If there is risk of harm, call the floater or leader, page the parent, and document afterward.
Offering a choice
“You can sit on the bean bag or the chair. You choose.”
First–Then
“First story time, then fidgets.” (Show the card.)
Prompting a break
“If you need space, hand me your ‘Break, please’ card.”
Praising effort
“I saw you ask for a break — great self-control!”
De-escalation
“I'm here. We'll make it quieter.”
Sunday questions cheat sheet
- What if a child runs?
- Alert the floater, secure doors, use a calm voice and a preferred item to re-engage.
- Child is non-speaking?
- Offer picture cards, model gestures, and give processing time.
- Meltdown signs?
- Remove the audience, lower lights and noise, offer Noah's Nook, stay nearby without pressing demands, page the parent if there is a safety risk.
- Parents in the room?
- Welcome them as partners when helpful; give them a volunteer badge and a quick briefing.
Printable forms
Print this page and clip these to the check-in table.
Official intake form (PDF)
Send this to new families ahead of time so they can fill it out at home, or print a stack for the check-in table.
Official training manual — available upon request
The complete Project Noah training packet (policies, background-check requirements, medical and emergency procedures, and the full forms set) is released by the ministry director to approved volunteers and partner churches. Everything on this page is the working cheat-sheet version of it.
Request a copy from director Nikki Garza — noahsfootprints@gmail.com or (210) 793-4557.
Today's sheet for Noah's Buddies
What we're teaching, the repeated storyline, the memory verse, and a short social story to read with a student.
Open today's sheetA) Family intake — All About Me
- Child's Name
- DOB / Age
- Parent / Guardian
- Phone
- Service time(s)
- Communication: speech / device / sign / picture cards / other
- Helps me succeed (interests, rewards)
- Sensory needs: noise / light / touch / movement / other
- Triggers & stressors
- Calming strategies
- Toileting: diaper / toilet / schedule / assistance
- Allergies & medical
- Approved pick-up adults
- Photo / video permission (yes or no)
- Assigned number
- Parent signature & date
B) ABC log (quick)
- Date / time, setting, child, buddy or leader
- A — Antecedent: what happened right before?
- B — Behavior: what exactly did you see or hear?
- C — Consequence: what happened right after?
- Function guess: escape / attention / access / sensory / unsure
- Next step: change A, teach a skill, or adjust C
C) Incident / crisis report
- Date / time, child, leaders present
- What happened (facts only)
- Antecedent or trigger
- Actions taken and outcome
- Parent notified at
- Follow-up plan
- Signatures: Leader and Ministry Lead
Our commitment
We serve with love, patience, and dignity. We protect every child's safety. We partner with families. We celebrate progress. We point every child to Jesus.
Lord, help us welcome every child with compassion and wisdom. Make The Ark Room a place of peace, growth, and joy — all aboard, everyone belongs. Amen.