Families in Transition Coordinator

Primary Function:

Provide leadership and direction to the Homeless Education Program. Assist with identification, recruitment, and service coordination for homeless and foster students. Collaborate with principals, counselors, and case managers to identify needs and provide referral resources. Facilitate academic services, including homeless to and foster data tracking, academic tracking, and intervention. Collaborate with community resources. Complete duties as assigned as the district’s Homeless and Foster Care Liaison.

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

Community experience not required, but is a plus

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of acceptable social work or professional counselor standards and practices.

• Knowledge of academic practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of community services.

• Knowledge of small group learning environments.

• Knowledge of counseling procedures, intervention skills, and student appraisal.

• Skill in applying acceptable social work or professional counselor standards and practices.

• Skill in communication and collaboration between and among various areas of the organization to support high student achievement and customer satisfaction.

• Skill in operating standard computer and software applications, including but not limited to electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations.

• Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Skill in delivery of services throughout the learning community, assigned area, and to customers. • Ability to organize and prioritize work responsibilities.

Student Management:

• Assist homeless and foster students in developing and applying skills for maximum educational, career, personal, and social growth during school years and beyond.

• Use appropriate activities to meet students’ developmental needs, personal concerns, or problems affecting their continued educational, career, personal or social development.

• Advocate for homeless students and provide professional expertise to help faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and other community members understand individual behavior and human relationships concerning the development and needs of students.

• Provide education, support and advocacy for homeless students and their families.

• Respond in a timely and positive manner to all requests for support from campus and district administrators.

• Assist campuses in resolving parent/student issues and concerns in a timely manner.

• Assist in managing student behavior in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.

Management of Administrative, Fiscal and/or Facilities Functions:

• Coordinate with assigned Families in Transition (FiT) contacts to track homeless and foster students’ academic progress.

• Analyze and respond to school data and educational trends.

• Collaborate and coordinate with State coordinators for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

• Support mediation of enrollment disputes according to McKinney-Vento laws.

• Provide essential resources such as professional development opportunities for district/campus staff and supplies to identified students to meet the requirements of the program.

• Advise supervisor on matters regarding assigned programs/grant services; provide information, advice and documentation to staff, administrators and others as necessary.

• Assess the strengths and needs for referred homeless students and their families.

• Conduct wraparound planning meetings with the identified homeless and foster student, family members, school district leaders and staff, key community partners, and other individuals supportive of the student.

• Provide support groups for identified targeted homeless and foster students as needed.

• Maintain and manage all forms, records, and necessary documentation of contacts with homeless and foster students and their families, as well as collaborative contacts in each student/family file.

• Negotiate services within the community and locate resources for services.

• Assist Executive Director to ensure that Title I Part A serves homeless and foster students.

• Coordinate departmental activities with other District offices and administrators and provide assistance to requesting departments.

• Follow District and department policies and procedures.

Organization Improvement:

• Analyze critical needs in assigned areas and work collaboratively to design, refine, implement, and improve programs in order to continuously improve the campus/department.

Professional Growth and Development:

• Participate in professional development that increases effectiveness and improves District performance.

School/Community Relations:

• Provide collaboration with all community partners on behalf of homeless and foster students and families using community-based resources and demonstrating cultural competence.

• Link with appropriate community resources to help homeless and foster students and families achieve desired objectives.

• Interface with governmental agencies, business and civic organizations, and the community to provide needed information and to promote the District’s initiatives.

Organization Morale:

• Foster positive morale by participating in team building activities and the decision-making process.

• Communicate and collaborate with campus/department staff to enhance service delivery, program development, and customer satisfaction.

Other Responsibilities:

• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, including but not limited to State Board of Education and local Board policy.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• Maintain Time and Effort as Approved in the Title I, Part A application as assigned according to federal grant requirements

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress

• Frequent sitting, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.

• Frequent lifting or exert force of up to 10 pounds

• Work with frequent interruptions

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.