The Student Advocate plays an essential role with children placed at Elmcrest. Having the greatest amount of contact with students, the Student Advocate utilizes a child-centered approach to work in the best interest of children while facilitating the individual and environmental conditions that are necessary to create change. The Student Advocate is charged with providing a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment while continuously using natural, everyday opportunities to teach, guide, and support students with their treatment, goals and academic success. The Student Advocate is scheduled in a manner that best accommodates the staff ratio and coverage requirements of programs. A regular, set schedule can be expected. There are times, however, when schedules are adjusted to accommodate non-school days.

Responsibilities:

• Create, support and engage in a learning environment by which each resident can be successful in making his/her own unique behavioral, emotional, intellectual, developmental and educational gains by:

  • Teaching and fostering a resident’s skill development relative to his/her individual needs.

  • Interacting and intervening with residents in accordance with their treatment plans, Individualized Crisis Management Plan, and Individual Education Plans.

• Support students as during the wake-up routine in their respective cottage followed by walking them to school.

• Maintain a physically and emotionally safe & supportive environment by:

  • Developing and providing a safe and secure physical environment for each resident.

  • Providing continuous supervision of residents.

  • Using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention de-escalation techniques (proximity, time and space, caring gestures, etc.)

• Develop and maintain appropriate and positive relationships with residents by:

  • Demonstrating appropriate social boundaries.

  • Having a non-threatening and supportive demeanor.

  • Actively involving residents in all facets of their educational day.

• Perform other essential functions of the job including:

  • Complete all assigned paperwork accurately and on time.

  • Attend regularly scheduled school meetings.

  • Report incidents of child maltreatment, neglect, or abuse.

• Follow all agency and department policies & procedures.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisors.

• All of the Youth Development Professional responsibilities when working in cottages during wake-up routine and during non-school days.

• High School Diploma or GED, College and experience preferred.

• Self-aware. Enjoys and is comfortable with, interacting with children.

• Able to relate to a dynamic environment. Flexible and able to problem-solve as unanticipated challenges present themselves.

• Technically and physically able to provide crisis intervention, including physical restraints. This required training is provided by the agency.

• Must understand and demonstrate the principles of care to which Elmcrest ascribes and trains