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SSL for Nonprofit and Government Organizations

Overview - Student Service Learning 

The Volunteer Center works in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to show on our website organizations and volunteer opportunities that have been reviewed by MCPS to show those appropriate for for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.  Qualified organizations must register with the Volunteer Center and follow the steps set forth by MCPS to have the graduation cap icon with MCPS SSL added to their account on the Volunteer Center website. 

Please review the expectations for meeting the MCPS SSL guidelines 

Faith-based Organizations: Download form with details on guidelines for religious organizations and the kinds of secular activities that can count for SSL hours.

See SSL Guidelines for Community Organizations 

Requirements from MCPS to show on website for MCPS SSL hours

  1. Register with the Volunteer Center by creating account on website.
     
  2. Attend an  Orientation when you initially register, and then at least once every three years to keep your MCPS SSL status. (Not sure when you last attended? Here is a list agency attendence dates through 9-2018)
     
  3. Submit to Montgomery County Public Schools a signed  MCPS Student Service Learning Organization Responsibility and Assurance Document annually. Forms can be brought to the orientation or Email scanned documents to:  ssl@mcpsmd.org
     
  4. Keep active Organization posted on our website:
    • Organization - Website requires annual login for updates in order for organization account to remain active and showing as SSL approved. 
    • SSL Volunteer Opportunities - If you are actively recruiting volunteers, post opportunities and be sure to click on the "clusters" field to select "Request for MCPS SSL".
    • If you are not recruiting volunteers, but just want your own student volunteers to be able to earn SSL hours, add a general description of the work of your volunteers for SSL review and approval to the "What We Do" text field within your organization page rather than posting opportunities. 

The SSL Coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools reviews every organization and volunteer opportunity requesting SSL review. While the Volunteer Center will approve your volunteer information to show on our website to the public, you will get a second notification once MCPS staff have added the graduation cap icon showing MCPS SSL. 

Have other questions about SSL for students, parents and nonprofits?

  • Go to the MCPS website for SSL FAQs, copies of SSL Verification forms, list of SSL coordinators in the schools, dates forms are due and more:  www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/
  • Contact the central SSL Office to reach Lakeisha Adamson and Shella Cherry at ssl@mcpsmd.org or 301-279-3454 
  • Contact the SSL Coordinator at each high school and middle school
  • See Powerpoint on SSL for community organizations