Education Liaison - Child Welfare

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that allows you to help families and make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central, we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However, sometimes children and their families need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

JOB SUMMARY:

Children in the foster care system are an educationally vulnerable population. They are more likely than other children to have academic and behavioral trouble in school. The Educational Liaison has an in-depth understanding of the school and child welfare system. The Educational Liaison main focus is to work with a team of professionals to ensure the academic success of children served by Kids Central or its subcontracted partners. The Educational Liaison is the primary contact with the school system and provides ongoing training to the education and child welfare in Circuit 5.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the MTSS Process
• Demonstrate knowledge of the school discipline policies
• Demonstrate knowledge of ESSA
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the dependency system, including stakeholder roles, placement types and judicial functions.
• Expedite and make recommendations for tutoring requests in conjunction with Utilization Management for children who are significantly delayed in academics and monitor the child's progress resulting from tutoring intervention.
• Locate appropriate tutors for tutoring of children.
• Organize summer tutoring programs as appropriate.
• Attend meetings related to child's performance in school. Identify necessary resources; advocates and assists in establishing a realistic plan for the child.
• Attend and participate in school meetings, specifically 504 plan, Expulsion, ESE Staffings,
• Ability to review and interpret student records, including ESE services, courses, credits, school assignment etc.
• Provide targeted training to GAL, case managers, caregivers (including residential staff, foster parents and kinship caregivers) regarding resources, how to advocate for a child's educational needs, special needs, regulations, etc.
• Process all education referrals, review the child's school records, case management records, consult with case manager to understand issues/challenges/strengths related to child and determine what educational services are needed.
• Follow-up with case managers to determine if the services provided to the children were effective.
• Document activities and efforts in FSFN.
• Maintain tracking system and provide monthly reports.
• Attend Community School District meetings or other appropriate community meetings as needed and as approved by the Director of the Prevention Services.
• Assist Kinship Care program and Independent Living Youth on specific cases, as needed.
• Contribute to the development of Kids Central's strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping Supervisor and Director informed of all critical issues.
• Ability to update and maintain their Outlook calendar.
• Utilize the APD system to clock in and out.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage their time appropriately within the work week, overtime must be approved by the director of prevention services.
• Complete Mileage on a Monthly basis; turn it in to the Supervisor for approval.
• Partner with Independent Living Coordinators to develop specific plans to ensure youth in the independent living program are working towards their high school diploma or their GED.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with customers, clients, co-workers and vendors, returning all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Effectively facilitate meetings at all levels.
• Respect the confidentiality of clients.

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in education or human services field and 5+ years' experience in advocacy, case management, education or related field required, guidance counselor experience preferred

Other Requirements

Current Background Clearance Screening Letter

Valid Florida driver's license and insurable by agency's current insurance carrier

Must carry personal phone with voice plan only for business communications during and outside business hours

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to meet Organizational Core Competency standards
• Good working knowledge of educational system and community resources
• Excellent communications skills (written and verbal)
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Time management and prioritization skills
• Ability to represent KCI in a professional manner
• Ability to travel up to 70%
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to lift 10 pounds

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Our mission is, "Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities". Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties. We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect. Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law. Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V