Child Support Assistant 1:2 (SY 26-27) [One year position]

Please note: that this position is available for one year only. Hired candidates will be displaced or non-renewed from the position for the following school year, however, displaced teacher assistantss remain district employees and will be guaranteed a position in SY27-28.

Providence Public Schools District (PPSD) seeks an exceptional CHILD SUPPORT ASSISTANT who is excited to join our community of teachers, students and stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity for teacher assistants who seek a challenging yet rewarding experience.

We serve approximately 22,000 students at 37 elementary, middle, and high schools. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak over 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin. In PPSD, the teachers and teacher assistants set high expectations for academic achievement, provide equal access to differentiated instruction, and endeavor to close the achievement and opportunity gap among historically marginalized subgroups within the schools. PPSD is a great place for those who desire an environment that supports their creativity and ingenuity, and respects their credentials and abilities as a teacher and/or teacher assistant.

REPORTS TO: Principal

The Child Support Assistant works under the direction of the Principal or designee and in close collaboration with the School Nurse, teachers, and related service providers to support students with diverse learning, behavioral, and/or medical needs in 1:1, 1:2, or flexible assignments. This role may serve students in self-contained alternate classrooms, including those with medical fragility. The Child Support Assistant is responsible for supporting students with daily living needs, including health, hygiene, and personal care, while maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. Strong collaboration and adherence to established care plans and protocols are essential to ensure student well-being and access to learning.

This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain an active Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license through the Rhode Island Department of Health.

NOTE: The safety of school children is an important responsibility of the teacher assistant program. As such, please note that all teacher assistants MUST be available for bus monitoring assignments and will be paid in accordance with the additional hours worked.

**Contingent upon funding**

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate’s degree

OR

• 48 college credits

OR

• Passing score of 461 on the ParaPro Test

RIDE Certification Requirements:

• Teacher Assistant Training Program Certificate and
• CNA license

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in daily and long-range lesson and classroom activity planning.
• Conduct learning exercises with small groups of students.
• Guide students in developing positive relationships with peers and adults.
• Assisting with the supervision of pupils in the classroom, corridors, school yards, lavatories, cafeterias, etc... and on field trips.
• Assist students with toileting, dressing, feeding, positioning, and self-care, which may include diaper changes.Alert the teacher to the special needs of individual students.
• Collecting and distributing educational materials.
• With teacher supervision, correct students' work and prescribe additional work to remediate student’s weaknesses.
• Operating machines which duplicate or copy information for distribution to pupils.
• Assisting the teacher to meet the many personal and physical needs of the child.
• Under teacher supervision, participate in discipline procedures and prescribe consequences for student behavior.
• Assist teachers in devising special strategies for reinforcing behavior or academic skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
• Serve as the chief source of information and help to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the regular teacher.
• Commit to attend ongoing professional development sessions; such as those offered by RIDE, the Providence School Department, and Local Union 1033.
• Perform additional teacher assistant duties as requested.
• Prepare all specialized equipment, e.g. walkers, helmets, braces, etc. for use by all pupils each day; securing at the close of school day.
• Assist children to and from transportation vehicles (especially those that are medically fragile).
• Assist medically fragile students, in their daily movement, whenever necessary, especially during fire drills, emergencies, changing classes, etc.
• Provide follow up activities as supervised by the Physical or Occupational Therapists.
• Assist the school Nurse/Teacher with maintenance regarding correspondence whenever necessary.
• Give personal care when needed, in toileting/changing diapers, personal hygiene, and clothing changes, whenever necessary.
• Take temperature (axillary/orally/rectally) pulse and respiration whenever necessary.
• Meet safety needs of students by providing necessary assistance to prevent injuries and use of equipment properly, such as walkers, wheelchairs, etc.
• Empty, clean, and change the urinary bags.
• Assist the students to the bathroom facilities.
• Instruct students in proper hygiene techniques.
• Participate in field trips whenever directed.
• Assume other responsibilities at the direction of the Nurse/Health Administrator.
• Monitor the gastrointestinal feeding tube while it is running and is responsible for closing the valve if the student experiences any symptoms of gastric reflux or gastrointestinal distress, and will immediately notify the School Nurse/Teacher.
• Inform the School Nurse Teacher when a student is required to take any medications. THE CHILD SUPPORT ASSISTANT IS NOT PERMITTED TO DISBURSE ANY MEDICATIONS TO ANY STUDENT.
• Report any medical problems/changes of the students to the School Nurse/Teacher immediately.
• At the discretion of the building principal and the School Nurse/Teacher, the Child Support Assistant Worker will assist with other students as needed.

EEO Statement

Providence Public Schools is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is actively seeking to increase minority recruitment among its administrators and teaching staff. PSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status. All programs are open to all individuals, regardless of their race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status.

Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work

Providence Public School District participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all participating employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Please review the following posters for more information:

• Notice of E-Verify Participation (English/Spanish)
• IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)