District Homeless/Foster Care Liaison

JOB GOAL:

Coordinates student support services relative to homeless/foster care students by acting as a liaison for identified students/families relative to the district, state, military and community agencies.  The Homeless/Foster Care Liaison is responsible for helping to ensure foster care and homeless/highly mobile children are fully integrated into the mainstream school setting and offered appropriate support by providing professional learning and development for district staff, collaborating with the state homeless/foster care advisor, community agencies, and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless students. This individual is responsible for leading and documenting the development of processes for making best-interest determinations for identified students. The incumbent in this position will report to the Director of Federal Programs.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Schedule 802 Grade 106 – Grade 28,844 - $50,116/ Twelve (12) month, 245-day contract, plus a benefits package.   NOTE:  Precise placement within the salary range will be determined based on experience and education.   FLSA: Non-Exempt. NOTE:  This is a federally funded position. The contract will become void if these funds are reduced, withdrawn, or canceled.  FLSA: Non-Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree required.
2. Strong communication skills with the ability to welcome interaction with parents, administration, and co-workers.
3. Demonstrate experience and expertise in homeless education and student registration;
4. Strong leadership and computer skills; must be proficient in word processing systems;
5. Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) and the ability to empathize with students, families, and unaccompanied youth.
6. Skills are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include operating standard office equipment including utilizing pertinent software applications; planning and managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records. Satisfactory elements of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. Positive public relations skills, dependable and flexible in performing duties. Satisfactory computer skills.

Such alternatives and additions to the above qualifications may be deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

These are the primary duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position these statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all.

1. Conducts effective communication with students, parents/guardians, staff, and the public in person, by phone, and by electronic mail to ensure that the parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.

1. Facilitates enrollment by determining preliminary eligibility and completing the final registration procedures for homeless students. Additionally facilitates records requests that impact the educational success of homeless/foster care children and youth. Serves as a primary contact person for families and social workers.

1. Removes barriers during registration, i.e., birth certificates, previous academic records, medical record, proof of residency, and other documents not in possession that would hinder registration and mediates enrollment disputes in accordance with federal, state and local guidance.

1. Liaison between the school district, family, community service providers, and agencies – facilitating data sharing consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other privacy protocols, insuring children in foster care are enrolled in and regularly attending school, managing best interest determinations and transportation cost disputes, developing and coordinating transportation procedures.

1. Secures intake information e.g., social, medical, and educational history, and completes and maintains required records.

1. Participates in regular staffing to review cases and revise service plans as needed with administrators, counselors, teachers, and other district staff, attending training and professional development opportunities to improve district implementation efforts, and providing professional development and training to school staff on the Title 1 PA provisions and education needs of children in foster care, as directed.

1. Ensures that written transportation procedures are in place when needed for students in foster care and families identified as homeless.

1. Coordinates services between shelter residents, and school and community service providers as well as maintaining communication between

1. Performs general clerical duties and other related homeless duties as assigned.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Mental Functions, Physical Requirements, and Working Conditions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, go up and down stairs, operate foot and hand controls, use a telephone, and write. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to twenty (20) or more pounds. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational materials and/or objects, and providing oral information. Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year. Additional technical skills, knowledge, and abilities may be recommended by the immediate supervisor and approved by the Human Resources Director.