Community Connections Facilitator (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools•Boston, MA

20h

About The Position

The Community Connections Facilitator (CCF) will be an education professional who is experienced and knowledgeable about the needs of middle and secondary school students with disabilities as they prepare for transition to adult life opportunities such as employment, post secondary education training and independent living (if appropriate). The person will ensure that effective transition planning takes place, and that current and effective strategies like Person Centered Planning are conducted. The CCF will support the school staff in the development of transitional programming to assure all students reach their goals . The CCF will implement a student database system to document the student’s progress toward meeting goals. The CCF will maintain a high level of professionalism, responsibility, consistency, and respect at all times. The CCF will provide and share professional development in all realms of transition and their student database documentation system. REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Transition Services (Office of Special Education)

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or a related field
Active and valid MA DESE Teacher License in Moderate or Severe Disabilities
Experience working in multicultural environments and with students with a broad range of abilities and disabilities
Knowledge of special education and transition mandates, current strategies like Person Centered Planning, natural supports, related laws and regulations
Computer literacy competencies
Sensitivity to student cultural and special needs
Ability to work as a member of a team
Must be a resident of the City of Boston or be willing to move to the City of Boston if hired.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education or related field
Full familiarity with special education initiatives
Proven track record in community skills development such as in the area of career development
3+ years community or job skills development experience with similar student populations or equivalent experience
Counseling, vocational rehabilitation, or social work degree(s), or related experience
Experience in the assessment of students with disabilities
Knowledge of Boston-based resources and business

Responsibilities

Work with members of the STRIVE team utilizing an individualized service coordination and team approach toward facilitating multiple positive outcomes for students with disabilities.
Outcomes may include employment, post-secondary school enrollment, training programs, and independent living.
Collaborate with faculty across the school system including regular education teachers to ensure that students with disabilities become involved in the vocational continuum.
Facilitate the development of a work-based learning plan once the student is placed in a school or community based work experience.
Collaborate with school-based teams to facilitate and determine the type of accommodations that might be needed by a student in the work site or other community-based settings.
Attend professional development, workshops, and conferences to remain current in terms of special education laws.
Provide community access to: travel training, potential work sites, internship opportunities, adult service providers, post-secondary opportunities.
Facilitate and maintain interagency agreements with a wide range of employers and community resources.
Provide ongoing family support including, but not limited to: the rights of persons with disabilities, options related to independent living, and accessible housing, guardianship, intake and eligibility for adult service providers, appropriate prevocational and vocational training opportunities.
Conduct ongoing documentation of student participation in services facilitated through STRIVE.
Other duties as required
Other responsibilities as required:
Collaborate with Guidance Director and Guidance
Collaborate with middle school staff
Collaborate with related service providers at middle and high schools
Collaborate with COSE to to ensure that SWDs have required documentation
When appropriate, ensure 688 referrals are completed for SWDs
Monitor and review high needs cases