Middle School Education Specialist

MercyFirst • Brooklyn, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Bridges to the Future program supports foster care youth in their preparation for the future. This program offers teens and young adults skills and testing for viable jobs, scholarship assistance for college or vocational school, support in obtaining and maintaining affordable housing, and life skills coaches to guide them through the transition from foster care to adulthood. The Middle School Education Specialist will provide educational assistance and support for children and youth from early education/intervention up to the middle school/high school years who are placed in the family foster care program. This role involves assisting case planners and parents with referrals to the Committee of Special Education, providing individualized assistance with middle and high school applications, and offering educational advocacy to ensure students receive necessary support services. The specialist will also coordinate with the Office of Pupil Transportation for bussing, serve as an agency liaison to various stakeholders, and utilize Department of Education data to track and monitor educational status. Additionally, the role supports families in applying for enrichment programs, ensures proper educational setting placement, coordinates referrals for tutoring services, and monitors the provision of in-home tutoring. Administrative responsibilities include timely data entry in CONNECTIONS and Care4, submission of billing, and monthly program reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health) and a minimum of 2 years of related work experience with at-risk or child welfare system-involved youth or Associate’s or accredited vocational degree with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience with at-risk or child welfare system-involved youth
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, some knowledge of Excel
• Ability to file documentation accurately
• Ability to engage with clients
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).

Responsibilities

• Provide educational assistance and support for children/youth from early education/intervention to the start of the middle school/high school years who are placed in the family foster care program.
• Assist case planners and parents with the referral process to the Committee of Special Education.
• Provide individualized assistance with the middle school and high school application process to all 5th and 8th grade students in collaboration with the families and agency staff.
• Provide educational advocacy and ensure that students are receiving the necessary support services in IEP meetings and/or educational meetings.
• Submit referrals and coordinate with Office of Pupil Transportation to arrange bussing for eligible youth.
• Serve as agency liaison to case planners, families, the NYC Department of Education, ACS Education Committee, Advocates for Children, schools and to other outside organizations with whom the agency collaborates in order to meet the needs and to promote the educational best interests of children in care.
• Utilize Department of Education data to track, report, and monitor the educational status of children with casework teams, parents and resource parents in order to support best educational practices and planning.
• Support families with applying for enrichment programs such as Summer Rising, after school programs etc.
• Promote educational achievement by ensuring that each child is placed in the proper educational setting, i.e. early intervention, early education, regular education, special education, and gifted and specialized educational programs.
• Coordinate referrals for free to low-cost tutoring services for children in need in their communities and for private, and in-home tutoring services where such services are not available.
• Monitor provision of in-home tutoring services and track progress and outcomes of student participants with students, families and the tutoring company.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including timely entry of educational information in CONNECTIONS, Care4 platform, submission of billing and other monthly program reports.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor or administrator.
• Connect youth with quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities that are in line with their goals and provide educational advocacy.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, educational specialist, housing/employment specialist, care managers, teachers, guidance counselors, birth parents, foster parents, and any additional supports in the youth's life.
• Assist, encourage and support the youth in reaching their identified goals within their educational journey.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, including weekly entry of contacts, steps taken towards goals and other key data in CONNECTIONS and Fair Futures on-line Platform.
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor or administrator.

Benefits

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level