Position: McKinney-Vento Social Worker

Reports To: Executive Director of Student Services

Terms of Employment: Permanent, 10 Month Position

Nature of Work:

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program Social Worker works with the district McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison to provide services and support to children and families identified under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The McKinney-Vento Social Worker will assist with identifying homeless students and providing direct intensive support to identified students and families. This position will collaborate with school staff and community partners to ensure that barriers are reduced or eliminated so that students in transition (homeless children and youth) can enroll in school, attend regularly, and succeed in educational opportunities. This position ensures that homeless students have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youth.

Qualifications and Licensure:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialist, or Doctoral Degree in Social Work
• NC Certification as a Social Worker
• Must have or be able to obtain appropriate NC Licensure with NCDPI
• Experience working with families in crisis and at-risk populations

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct support and case management to homeless students and their families.
• Serve as a contact person, outreach worker, and advocate for homeless and highly mobile families, children, and youth. Make referrals to community agencies as needed.
• Identify and enroll students experiencing homelessness, ensuring they receive appropriate educational services.
• Develop strategies to assist with the identification of students who are eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
• Arrange transportation for students to their “school of origin” or the school located in their attendance zone.
• Arrange and distribute school supplies and other items needed for academic support.
• Assist schools in obtaining records and other documents for students in transition.
• Assist in linking students with appropriate services (e.g., mental health, medical, etc.).
• Conduct visits to homes, schools, or shelters where students in transition reside.
• Gather and compile monthly and annual data, and maintain the homeless database.
• Work directly with parents to improve students’ participation in school events, improve attendance, and ensure that parents are informed about their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.
• Attend conferences and workshops to keep abreast of changes with McKinney-Vento.
• Collaborate with school counselors, social workers, nurses, and other staff to identify needs (clothing, food, services, etc.) at designated schools.
• Serve as the district liaison for the Children's Hunger Elimination of Wilson (CHEW) initiative.
• Assist the WCS Homeless Liaison with organizing community collaborations, parent training, participating in community events, and other duties as needed.
• Oversee the coordination and monitoring of summer academic/enrichment programs and provide information to families for before/after school academic and extracurricular programs.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel between and among school sites throughout the district and to students’ homes as necessary.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as technology skills.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees of this job.