Educational Specialist

WORK WITH UP TO 25 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY AND ENSURING STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORTS/SERVICES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students;
• Assist youth with goals pertaining to College, Career Development and Housing.
• Learn and implement Fair Futures system and log notes in Care 4 system.
• Work with Case Planner, foster parent, birth parent/caregiver and tutor to address educational concerns;
• Request that the school make referrals for IEP evaluations and behavioral/academic supports within the school;
• Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational services;
• Negotiate with ACCESS VR counselors for appropriate services;
• Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes, in consultation with the Case Planner and parent.

MONITOR THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ALL STUDENTS.

• Collect, review, and track NYC DOE monthly data on attendance, grades, promotion status, school enrollment, tutoring history, transcripts, etc.;
• Use data to identify struggling students;
• Work with Case Planners and parents to ensure improved attendance, and/or provide additional academic supports.
• Provide individualized assistance to all 5th grade students with the middle school selection process as well.

REFER ALL STUDENTS TO IN-HOME, QUALITY TUTORING; CONNECT STUDENTS TO AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. SOME ADDITIONAL DETAILS INCLUDE: COORDINATING WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS:

• Parents: It is the responsibility of the Specialist to outreach to parents for discussion about issues such as special education services, attendance concerns, behavioral issues in school, and school transfers.
• Foster Parents: It is important for the Specialist to include foster parents in educational planning because they will often interact with school staff on a regular basis.
• Case Planners: The Specialist should coordinate with Case Planners on the student’s academic progress and follow up on any needs/concerns. The Specialist should provide a monthly report to the students’ Case Planners that includes progress notes and key academic data. Case Planners should also be consulted about school transfers and any other significant educational advocacy activity.
• The School: The Specialist will collaborate with the school to explore options for students to improve and benefit from services offered such as afterschool tutoring, special education services, and other supports. The Specialist should also schedule school visits for students in order to meet with the student and counselor together.
• External Providers: The Specialist will work with community resources including tutoring programs, mental health services, and afterschool programs. Collaborating with these stakeholders allow for students to receive assistance and services on a broad spectrum that can foster continued success educationally as well as emotionally.

College Specialist Job Duties can include, but not limited to:

• Meet with young people interested in college to have an exploratory and informational session, after that are referred by their Coach, and discuss what that roadmap/timeline would look like for them at their particular high school or HSE program.
• Monitor Pre-SAT/SAT scores of those students who do take them, and meet with them to discuss/refine college options.
• Organize college tours.
• Help young people apply to colleges in line with their interests, preferences and performance.
• Assist students with their college essays and personal statements, where needed.
• Review any college applications or financial aid forms filled out by the student’s school/guidance counselor to ensure they are correct.
• Sit down with students and help them apply to FAFSA, TAP, ETV and all applicable scholarships including reviewing their essays and helping with letters of reference.
• Ensure that students apply to any Opportunity Programs available to them.
• Ensure students are signed up for any entrance interviews/exams.
• Fill out all the required paperwork for the College Dorm Project and Foster Care Room & Board, if applicable.
• Reach out to students to ensure they are enrolled in the proper classes each semester, and assist with enrollment, if needed.
• Help young people reapply to all forms of financial aid and scholarships each year.
• Assist students with transferring to colleges, if needed.

SHORT-TERM AND LONGER-TERM ADVOCACY:

The Specialist offers both long-term individualized interventions for students with complex or ongoing educational needs and targeted short-term supports to ensure that every student has access to a particular service or opportunity.

SUSPENSION ADVOCACY:

The Specialist should secure representation for the student who is receiving the suspension.

ADVOCACY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

• Response to Intervention: The Specialist advocates for students to receive the most appropriate services available. Individual Education Program (IEP) Referral Process: The Specialist request a referral from the school for students to receive a special education evaluation if it is believed that the student may benefit from additional services in school.
• Effective Advocacy for IEP Meetings: Specialists assist in developing an IEP that focuses on the best interest of the student as well as ensure that students are receiving the services they need to be successful