Washtenaw County Education Advocate

Washtenaw County Education Advocate Ypsilanti, MI 48197 From $45,000 a year

• Full-time From $45,000 a year

• Full-time Posting:

  Education Advocate
• Washtenaw County Summary
• Student Advocacy Center of Michigan, a Education justice advocacy organization, seeks a full-time passionate, knowledgeable Education Advocate, committed to elevating youth and family voice, collaborating with the schools, providing trauma-informed care and ending school pushout practices.

Our staff is committed to ongoing learning about other cultures, reducing power imbalances, dismantling oppressive behaviors that show up in ourselves and systems, and working in partnership with those whose voices too often go unheard.

Title:

Education Advocate Status:

Full-time Classified:

Exempt Compensation:

Starting at $45,000 or $49,500 annual salary based on degree obtained and relevant experience.

Benefits:

Health insurance or health insurance stipend, mileage reimbursement, vacation, generous holiday pay, sick leave, cell phone stipend, life insurance, retirement benefit after two years of service, flexible schedule, ability to work from home

Location:

Ypsilanti office and regional travel as needed

Qualifications:

Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with relevant experience. MSW, JD, Masters in Education or other master's degree preferred. Minimum of 5+ years of direct experience working with underserved populations, such as youth experiencing homelessness, foster care, the criminal justice system, mental illness and other disabilities, and harsh school discipline. Experience working with students with behavioral challenges. Knowledge of IDEA, MARSE, and the state school discipline code. Familiarity with restorative practices and trauma-responsive care. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Experienced in Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and other Google Suite apps. Experience with online databases preferred. Able to work independently and effectively in a high-paced, fluid environment and solve problems under pressure. Have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, automobile insurance and be cleared to drive by the State of Michigan. Must remain off Central Registry and sex offender registries and successfully pass criminal background checks.

Scope of services:

Acting as an advocate for obtaining needed education and support services, including screening for special education services. Support 30-35 cases within a fiscal year with possible adjustments depending on complexity of cases. Serve as an advocate in school meetings, including MDRs, IEPs, behavior plan meetings, disciplinary hearings and reinstatement hearings. Elevate youth and caregiver voice. Assess family and student school needs, trauma triggers, antecedents to behavior, and devise plans collaboratively. Explain educational rights and options to students (and those supporting the students). Develop a trusting and respectful relationship with students. Support students (and caregivers) to communicate needs and goals. Connecting students to resources such as community mental health, Early On, tutoring, credit recovery, after-school activities, books, school supplies, etc. Assist students in care with enrollment and school transitions, including providing and/or coordinating transportation. Maintain meticulous case notes and records in online databases and clients' paper files. Secure records, including IEP, and health records as needed. Conduct credit audits and develop recommendations for educational plans. Coordinate services and maintain excellent communication with DHHS, youth, family, caseworkers and schools. Provide home visits as needed. Provide intensive monitoring of educational outcomes and plans, through records reviews, school contacts and visits. Adjust plans collaboratively as needed. Write court reports as needed. Draft special education and civil rights complaints as needed. Attend Family Court, Case Conferences and Team Decision Making meetings, as needed. Provide technical assistance in the form of information, advice and consultation to professionals who contact SAC for advice. Provide outreach to schools and community agencies, as needed. Provide direct services as needed, including tutoring and social skills training. Assist with data collection, grant reporting requirements, and billing. Track grant outcomes and calculate outcomes such as attendance rate. Participate in qualitative evaluation efforts, including interviews with families. Other duties as needed.

Personal Responsibilities:

Actively support the Student Advocacy Center's mission, vision, values and principles of practice. Be willing to engage in learning and current practices of the organizations Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work. Uphold and ensure appropriate implementation of all agency policies and procedures. Maintain utmost confidentiality and professionalism. Maintain excellent work attendance.

NOTE:

SAC seeks to build workplaces, schools and communities that cultivate a deep sense of belonging for all, particularly for people of color, gender-nonconforming people, people with different abilities, returning citizens, undocumented citizens, and others who experience hate and rejection in our world. SAC believes our common humanity unites us. We recognize how deeply we are all hurt by racism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism and other violent practices. Those of us with multiple levels of privilege and those most impacted by oppression must be equally invested in creating and facilitating a community that is equitable, human-centered and just. Our liberation is bound together. SAC celebrates interconnection and diversity. We have a deep commitment to cultural humility and anti-oppressive action. We expressly prohibit discrimination in regard to race, color, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, veteran status, height, weight, associational preference, or genetic information.

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• See www.

studentadvocacycenter.org for more information about our agency.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location:

In person