Position Summary: The New York City school system is the largest in the country. Each year nearly 10% of our student population are students who are affected by homelessness, including those living doubled up, or in shelter, and domestic violence safe housing. Research indicates that students in temporary housing face unique academic challenges and are more likely to experience chronic absence, lower academic performance and delayed or unsuccessful graduation than their housed peers.
The Department of Education (DOE) Office of Community Schools (OCS) supports all schools as places where children have opportunities to learn, gain skills, create joy, and have the experiences that allow children to ignite curiosity and discover their passions and talents. OCS is committed to bringing equity and using a “whole child, whole community” approach – looking holistically at students, families, and communities to ascertain their most pressing needs and decide together which services will best address those needs. The Students in Temporary Housing (STH) team within OCS seeks to increase the capacity of schools and community partners providing tailored social services, healthcare, expanded learning opportunities, and similar support for students and families affected by homelessness.
The Shelter Based Community Coordinator (SBCC) work under the supervision of the of the STH Regional Manager, within the Office of Community Schools (OCS) and in the School Culture, Climate and Well-Being team. The SBCC will be placed in shelters across the city based on need. The STH Regional Managers are responsible for supporting a cohort of DOE personnel in both shelters and schools. Specifically, CCs will greet families as they enter shelter, conduct an initial needs assessment, identify and facilitate tailored supports for students and families, and support students and families to access those supports. CC’s will act as the escalation point for all supports in the shelter(s) they are assigned to, building resources and capacity with the shelter to advance the educational needs of these students.
SBCCs will serve alongside team members inside the shelters and within the schools, such as Client Care Coordinators, Shelter Case Managers, Shelter Directors, social work and guidance staff, attendance team members, health and mental health providers, teachers, school safety officers, and other personnel. SBCCs’ seek to remove barriers to school attendance, and identify additional resources within the school or community, supporting students to thrive academically and personally.
The Shelter Based Community Coordinator will ensure consistent adherence to Department of Education (DOE) policies and federal laws and regulations regarding Students in Temporary Housing. This includes compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Chancellor’s Regulation A-780. Performs related work.
Reports to: STH Regional Manager
Key Relationships: STH Family Assistants, STH school based Community Coordinators and Bridging the Gap Social Workers, School Based STH Liaisons, School Leadership Team members, STH Director of Regional Support, Director of Clinical Supports, Community School Directors, school principals and school leadership team members, colleagues in the Department of Homeless Services, Human Resources Administration, Administration for Children’s Services, and other agencies, Office of Pupil Transportation staff, and community-based organization (CBO) partners, among others.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support data driven continuous improvement per below with a focus on keeping students connected and engaged in school and learning:
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- Lead and facilitate shelter-based attendance team meetings by using the New Visions Shelter Portal and other similar information tools to support data driven continuous improvement by analyzing data, identifying trends, and creating tailored supports.
- Develop shelter-based Success Mentor and attendance incentive initiatives to support school engagement.
- Lead information sessions for parents and students to promote school attendance, academic achievement, support self-advocacy and a build sense of community connectedness.
- Inform school-based Pupil Personnel Team and Attendance Team meetings to help schools identify students at risk or living with homelessness to coordinate tailored, data-driven, culturally relevant, trauma-informed strategies and supports in the school setting.
- Collect, organize, and synthesize information on assets and needs of students and families affected by homelessness, as well as the shelters where they reside. Using this information:
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- Conduct intakes and assessments for families entering shelter in collaboration with other DOE personnel, and connect families to other shelter-based and community resources including but not limited to: early education enrollment, medical, mental health, employment and training programs, food pantries, public assistance, SSI and SSDI, childcare vouchers, transportation, legal assistance etc.
- Resolve escalated student or family challenges, particularly regarding student transportation, school placement and registration, mid-year transfers, documentation of housing status, special education, multilingual learner supports, and other related issues, including following up with families to determine resolution and impacts.
- Convene information sessions, training and working groups with families, students and shelter personnel to inform and build relationships.
- Establish and maintain new partnerships per below to develop programs and to bring in additional resources, including:
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- Working in alignment with STH leadership to identify supports and resources from community and citywide partners to expand supports, resources and information for students and families.
- Participate in intra- and inter-agency working groups, task forces, and ad hoc partnerships, representing the vision, needs, and resources of the STH team;
- Build capacity on issues and concerns of academic challenges of homeless students within the shelter facility.
- Work to understand the needs of overage and under-credited students to connect them to school alternatives outside of traditional high schools.
- Organize opportunities for parent / guardian engagement to inform STH team procedures and priorities, and to deepen family connections to school and shelter partners and resources.
- Work with the Regional Manager, DRS and other DOE offices to develop and promote appropriate policies and guidance, including participating in onboarding new STH team members.
- Ensure compliance with all appropriate McKinney Vento or other City, State, and Federal regulations.
Qualification Requirements :
Minimum
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two (2) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
- High school graduation or equivalent and six (6) years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
- Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience as described in “1” above.
Preferred
- Strong skills in relationship management and project implementation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including conflict management and de-escalation techniques.
- Strong facility with Excel; moderate knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications, e.g., Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- An understanding of the complexities of systems that homeless students and their families face, and of the intersections of issues, including trauma, mental health, and domestic violence.
- Understanding trauma informed best practices.
- Knowledge of McKinney Vento regulations and their application to school environments.
- Familiarity with community-based programs serving homeless youth and families and related youth development programs.
- Experience working in school-based or shelter-based settings, with knowledge about trauma informed strategies, nonprofit student support services, and youth development approaches.
- Ability to work effectively with school aged youth, educators, families, and communities from a wide range of cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
- Understanding of the social-emotional needs of students in temporary housing and of trauma-informed
Salary:
$53,961 (New Hire Rate)
$62,055 - $75,000 (Incumbent - 2 years of full-time continuous city service)
(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.
NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.
* New York City Residency is NOT Required *
We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply. |
DOE Non- Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Department of Education of the City of New York to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, unemployment status, caregiver status, consumer credit history, prior record of arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy. |
