Bilingual Education Advocate

Long Island Advocacy Center•New Hyde Park, NY

About The Position

The Long Island Advocacy Center (LIAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of students and individuals with disabilities. We are seeking someone, for a part time position (20 hours/week), with working knowledge of the Committee on Special Education (CSE process) and/or prior experience working with youth who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System and/or at risk of dropping out of high school. The New York State Education Department reports that the following groups of students are the most vulnerable and at-risk on Long Island: youth involved in the Foster Care system, youth who are experiencing homelessness, youth who come from low-income families, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities. The education advocate will provide information to at-risk youth and their families regarding their educational rights. Assistance and advocacy will be provided to families regarding school problems such as truancy, discipline, suspensions, residency, Special Education services, English Language Learner services, and dropout prevention. The education advocate will empower families as they navigate school meetings and conferences, including principal meetings, Committee on Special Education meetings, Manifestation Determination Reviews, and other school meetings as appropriate.

Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree.
Advocacy, education, legal, or social work experience.
Strong interest in advocating for the rights of students.
Knowledge of Google/GoogleWorkspace applications.
Professional and interpersonal skills to effectively engage and communicate with parents, youth, educators, and other community agencies.
Bilingual (Spanish).
Bilingual.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of the Committee on Special Education (CSE process)
Prior experience working with youth who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System
Prior experience working with youth who are at risk of dropping out of high school

Responsibilities

Interviewing youth and families regarding the youth's school experiences, (i.e. past school attendance, performance/grades, difficulties, areas of strength, previous or current support, and/or interventions provided by the school district) to determine: If the student has a current educational disability. If the information suggests a suspected disability. How to best advise the family of their rights and next steps.
Reviewing school records to inform parents of their legal rights regarding education.
Providing direct advocacy to families whose children receive Special Education services, 504 accommodations, or require advocacy to receive the education to which they are entitled.
Attending school-based meetings with families to advocate for their children’s educational needs.
Participating in and/or attending conferences, workshops, and informational sessions regarding trends in education.
Maintaining basic reporting statistics to produce periodic required reports to satisfy grant funding requirements.
Refer clients to other community-based agencies, as appropriate.