About NYCPS and STH/FC Office:
The New York City school system is the largest in the nation, serving nearly 1 million students and employing over 75,000 teachers across more than 1,600 schools. Each year, nearly 0.5% of our student population is affected by Foster Care placement. Research consistently shows that students in foster care placements face distinct academic challenges. They are more likely to experience chronic absenteeism, lower academic performance, and delays in or failures to achieve graduation compared to their housed peers.
These unique circumstances highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their housing situation.
The New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Office of Students in Temporary Housing & Foster Care (STH/FC) provides citywide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to schools, districts, families, foster care agencies, and partner organizations. The office works closely with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and foster care agencies to remove educational barriers, strengthen cross-system communication, maintain accurate student information, and promote positive educational outcomes for students in foster care.
Job Description:
The Foster Care Support Liaison will provide administrative, operational, data, and student support assistance to the STH/FC Office. The Liaison will work citywide with office leadership, Foster Care Coordinators, schools, districts, ACS, foster care agencies, caregivers, and other partners to help ensure timely and coordinated support for students in foster care. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Meet regularly with STH/Foster Care leadership to coordinate priorities, manage projects, and ensure timely follow-up on key initiatives.
- Serve as a liaison among schools, foster care agencies, caregivers, and NYCPS stakeholders to promote accurate communication, collaboration, and coordinated support for students in foster care.
- Support students in foster care and their caregivers in navigating enrollment, school placement, transportation, attendance, and other educational processes, while serving as an escalation point for schools and Foster Care Coordinators when barriers arise.
- Identify and address barriers to educational stability, engagement, attendance, and academic success by connecting students and caregivers to appropriate school-based and community resources.
- Conduct outreach and follow-up for students experiencing chronic absenteeism, placement changes, school transitions, or other circumstances requiring additional support.
- Attend and facilitate trainings, workshops, and informational sessions for families, caregivers, agency staff, schools, and community partners on NYCPS policies, programs, and supports impacting students in foster care.
- Monitor and track student attendance, enrollment, placement changes, transportation services, referrals, and other student support indicators to ensure timely intervention and follow-through.
- Maintain accurate case documentation, student records, data entry, and progress tracking systems; verify foster care-related information, resolve discrepancies, and support data integrity across NYCPS systems.
- Collaborate with internal NYCPS teams, schools, and foster care agencies to ensure accurate student records and effective implementation of services and supports.
- Assist with the preparation, distribution, inventory, and tracking of educational materials, school supplies, and other resources provided through the Foster Care Office.
- Provide administrative, logistical, and operational support for office activities, trainings, events, site visits, special projects, and other initiatives that advance the educational success of students in foster care.
- Perform related duties as assigned in support of the educational stability, engagement, and achievement of students in foster care.
The FC Support Liaison will ensure consistent adherence to NYCPS policies and federal laws and regulations regarding Foster Care families and students. This includes compliance with the federal, Foster Care ACT and policy, federal Fostering Connections to Success, Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. Performs related work.
Education Requirements:
Minimum
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two 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 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 year of experience as described in "1" above.
Preferred Skills:
- 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 students in foster care placements and their families face, and of the intersections of issues, including trauma, mental health, and domestic violence.
- Understanding trauma informed best practices.
- Knowledge of ESSA 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 foster care agency 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 foster care and of trauma-informed practices.
- Bilingual preferred.
Documents Requested:
- Professional Resume
- Resume outlining your academic, professional, and personal experiences, certifications, and fit for the role.
- Reference Request Details
- Three references required (Minimum two professional references)
Application:
- Please apply for the STH Support Liaison role by:
- Emailing your resume to [email protected] with the subject line "SY27 Foster Care Support Liaison Resume"
- Completing this application form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/uuicmJkt9G
Pay: $35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
