• Loading
• ENJOY YOUR VISIT
  • Events Calendar
  • Visiting the Garden
  • Directions
  • What's In Bloom
  • For Families
  • Flower Shows
  • Exhibitions
  • Garden Trams
  • Photography
  • Birding
  • The Garden Shop
• AT THE GARDEN
  • Plant Collections
  • Horticulture
  • General Info
  • Explore
  • Garden Blog
  • Group Visits
  • Private Events
  • Press Room
  • Employment
• YOUR GARDEN
  • Gardening Help
  • Plant Information
    Service
  • PlantCast Video Podcast
  • Plant Evaluations
  • Illinois'
    Best Plants
• EDUCATION
  • Adult Education
  • Lenhardt Library
  • Teachers and Students
  • Youth and Family
  • Community Gardening
  • Horticultural Therapy
  • Register Online
• CONSERVATION
  • Plant Science and Conservation
  • Science Laboratories
  • Staff
  • Plant Science Center
  • Training & Education
  • Resources
  • World
    Environment Day
• SUPPORT US
  • Membership
  • Give to the Garden
  • President's Circle
  • Board of Directors
  • Corporate Partnership
  • Tribute Program
  • Volunteer
  • Annual Report
  • Strategic Plan
  • Donate Online

Education

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN HORTICULTURAL THERAPY STAFF WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• Leading sessions every other week during the term of the Six-Month Indoor, Six-Month Outdoor, or Year-Round Program options previously described (excluding short seasonal planning breaks during December, April, and September). It is essential that your agency staff be able to assume responsibility for session leadership on alternate weeks as well as maintain indoor/outdoor garden areas created by the program between Garden visits and during planning breaks. In the event your agency does not have the staffing resources to conduct sessions on alternating weeks, Garden staff can assume full program management, including weekly program sessions, for an additional fee
• Designing and installing the outdoor garden
• Providing all program materials, essential tools, and equipment
• Consistently conducting programs at your agency on a specific day and time of the week
• Being available for phone consultation regarding any aspect of the program during and after contract completion
• Notifying your agency at the agency's provided emergency contact telephone number in case Garden staff must cancel sessions because of unanticipated vehicle breakdown, illness, or weather emergencies. Due to the full schedule of contracted agencies, it is unlikely cancelled sessions can be rescheduled. Materials and instructions for the scheduled activity will be provided for use by your staff/volunteers.

CONTRACTING AGENCY AND STAFF WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• Attending an orientation meeting to discuss program procedures, roles, and responsibilities
• Providing secure parking for Chicago Botanic Garden staff while conducting session
• Providing consistent staff support for sessions conducted by the Garden, consisting of one or two paid staff members plus one or more volunteers to assist your staff, depending on participant abilities
• Maintaining all plants and gardens (watering, weeding, harvesting, etc.) with participants during interim weeks and planning breaks during the program. This is essential for a successful program
• Having all necessary equipment ready to use one-half hour before session (garden hose hooked up; tools, tables, and chairs in place)
• Allowing up to 10 minutes before the session begins to brief Garden staff on any special medical precautions, desired outcomes for the session, client behavioral issues, etc. and to permit Garden staff to communicate special activities or changes in the scheduled session. The Chicago Botanic Garden is not liable for any medically related accidents. Due to the large number of individuals we work with, we cannot be aware of precautions for each person
• Gathering participants to begin promptly at the scheduled time of the session; Garden staff cannot provide participant transport to and from the session
• Notifying the Garden's horticultural therapy staff of any session cancellation 24 hours in advance; contact them directly or through a voice mail message at: (847) 835-8247, or (847) 835-8250. Failure to notify the Garden of cancelled sessions may result in a charge of $125 to cover staff time and transportation expenses. Three occurrences during the contract year will result in contract termination.
• Offering feedback, interviews and assessments relevant to the Chicago Botanic Garden's program evaluation systems and other exercises relative to your staff training

Please ensure that your staff is familiar with their responsibilities. If your staff does not meet the above responsibilities, the Chicago Botanic Garden may elect to cancel the horticultural therapy contract.

POLICY REGARDING CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AND BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS

Contract sites are obligated to provide the Chicago Botanic Garden, in writing, all personnel policies and procedures regarding universal precautions against exposure to contagious diseases and blood-borne pathogens. Garden staff are vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus and will comply with all personnel policies to prevent exposure to contagious diseases and blood-borne pathogens.

When participants in the Horticultural Therapy Program require special precautions, these precautions must be communicated prior to program sessions in order for appropriate protective measures to be taken. Garden staff retain the right to exclude program participants if there is a risk to participants or staff.

INSURANCE

Chicago Botanic Garden staff and volunteers are insured while performing duties on behalf of the Garden. A comprehensive liability certificate of insurance is available upon request.