The New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is the largest in the country, composed of approximately 1 million students and 75,000+ teachers in over 1,600 schools. Each year there are over 100,000 students who are homeless and placed in temporary housing, including those living doubled up, or in shelter and domestic violence safe housing or residing in foster care. Research indicates that students in temporary housing and in foster care face unique academic challenges and are more likely to be chronically absent than their housed peers.
Reporting to the school principal, the STH Community Coordinator will identify and facilitate support to students in temporary housing and foster care alongside team members inside the school, such as social work and guidance staff, attendance team members, health and mental health providers, teachers, school safety officers, and other personnel. The coordinator will interact with the Office of Students in Temporary Housing and Foster Care for STH/FC specific resources and guidance. Coordinators will also interact with other NYCPS offices and City agency partners, including the NYCPS Office of Pupil Transportation, shelter staff, Borough/Central Offices, and other City agencies.
The STH Community Coordinator will be an integral part of a citywide team that facilitates and monitors services provided in shelters and schools, ensuring consistent adherence to NYCPS’s polices and federal laws and regulations regarding Students in Temporary Housing including compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Chancellor’s Regulation A-780. As such the STH Community Coordinator placement is considered a citywide position and placement is subject to an annual review of student enrollment data and demonstrated need. Performs related work.
Reports to: School Principal
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships: School principal and school leadership, school health, mental health and attendance team members, STH Regional Manager, colleagues in the Department of Homeless Services, Human Resources Administration, Administration for Children’s Services, and other agencies, Office of Pupil Transportation staff, Office of School Health, Foster Care Coordinators, and community based organization (CBO) partners.
- Serve as a liaison for families and students with shelter based staff, foster care agencies, school administrators, guidance counselor(s), attendance teacher(s), the Office of Pupil Transportation, and other support personnel, facilitating referral to school and shelter based supports (e.g., access to public benefits, attendance improvement and academic achievement, mental health supports, and other needed services).
- Collect, organize, and synthesize information on assets and needs of the school and its students affected by homelessness and foster care. Using this information, participate, but not lead, in the school-based Pupil Personnel Team and Attendance Team meetings to help identify students at risk or living with homelessness or in foster care to coordinate tailored, culturally relevant, trauma informed strategies and supports.
- Resolve escalated student or family challenges, particularly regarding student transportation, school placement and registration, mid-year transfers, documentation of housing status, and other related issues.
- Conduct shelter or home site visits with families to share information about important services and support and ensure that basic necessities (e.g., school material, transportation and supplementary educational services) are readily available, as needed.
- Facilitate multiple training and presentations to families at PTA meetings, school forums, parent teacher nights and other events so families are aware of available resources.
- Record and monitor information in relevant data systems (i.e. OASIS, SWIMS) to ensure accurate transmittal and to improve referral to tailored support.
- Support the scheduling and spending of Title I STH funds in their school by administering Title I STH Needs surveys, collaborating with school leaders on identified programs and services, ordering and maintaining commodities for STH families, etc.
- Coordinate academic, attendance and SEL support and resources for students in temporary housing and foster care to ensure their academic success.
- Provide data driven analysis and recommend interventions to improve attendance and academic outcomes for students.
- Connect students and families to essential community resources, including healthcare, social services, and housing assistance.
- Build strong partnerships between schools, shelters, and foster care agencies to create a more holistic support system for students.
- Advocate for the rights and needs of students in temporary housing and foster care.
- Strengthen outreach efforts to improve communication and engagement between families and the school community.
- 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.
- Strong skills in relationship management and project implementation.
- Strong written and spoken communication skills.
- An understanding of the complexities of systems that students in temporary housing and foster care face, and of the intersections of issues, including trauma, mental health, and domestic violence.
- Background in social work or understanding in trauma informed best practices.
- Knowledge of McKinney Vento Act and Every Student Succeeds Act and their application to school environments.
- Familiarity with community based programs serving vulnerable youth and families and related youth development programs.
- Experience working in school 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 practices.
- Bilingual skills depending on needs of school.
- Strong facility with Excel; moderate knowledge of other Microsoft Office 365 applications.
- Ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate strong relationship building skills.
This is a 12 month, 35 hour per week annual assignment. Position will require flexibility with respect to work hours in order to meet the needs of the school community, including early mornings, evenings and weekends. Use of earned vacation and/or compensatory time is subject to approval of school principal.
$62,707- $72,114
School Location Codes:
05M123
10X391
14K157
24Q005
28Q182
30Q092
30Q127
30Q445
10X118
19K328
Please send cover letter and resume, no later than 09/02/2026, to:
https://forms.gle/6Wz6NPSBH4P6sXPy7
NOTE: The filing of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.
