FFC-Educational Advocate

Rising Ground, Inc.•New York, NY

7d•$0 - $53,477•Hybrid

About The Position

The Education Specialist provide educational advocacy, conducts academic performance monitoring, and makes referrals to quality tutoring and extracurricular activities. The Education Specialist also provides individualized assistance with the middle school selection processes to all 5th grade students and their families. The Specialist will ensure that the list of middle schools the student is submitting are quality, best-fit schools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree and knowledge of child welfare system
Good verbal and written communication skills are essential.
Computer proficiency, knowledge of Connections
Authorized to work in the U.S.
Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)

Nice To Haves

1 year of experience (preferred)
Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Responsibilities

Follow up regularly with Tutor Coaches regarding the students’ performance, needs, and any concerns.
Connect students to afterschool and summer extracurricular activities.
Consistently update the Care 4 platform with contacts, tutoring updates, and any relevant information regarding students, for example: how students are progressing academically, the outcome of IEP meetings, middle school application and/or promotion in doubt.
Work with elementary age students and their families, providing educational advocacy and ensuring students are receiving the supports/services they need to succeed.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools; provide advocacy on behalf of students.
Work with Case Planner, foster parent, birth parent/caregiver and tutor to address educational concerns.
As needed, request referrals for IEP evaluations and behavioral/academic supports within the school.
Negotiate with DOE staff to ensure the implementation of recommended and appropriate educational services.
Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes.
Collect, review, and track NYC DOE monthly data on attendance, grades, promotion status, school enrollment, tutoring history, etc.
Use data to identify struggling students.
Work with Case Planners and parents to ensure improved attendance, and/or provide additional academic supports.
During the Middle School application process, the Education Specialist will ensure that when applying for middle school, the list of schools the student is submitting are quality, best-fit schools, and will record this list of schools in the online platform.
It is the responsibility of the Specialist to try to guide the process as much as possible. This includes establishing trust, explaining why the process is so important, and providing information/guidance when a selection may not be appropriate.