ROLE AND PURPOSE:
- The role of Specialist - Student Outreach Services (SOS) Support is to provide case management, social/emotional counseling, and other social services for male and female students identified at risk per TEA criteria. The Support Specialist primarily serves highly mobile students to include homeless, pregnant/parenting, foster care and other targeted populations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Certification/Education:
- Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field.
- Licensed or certification in Social Work, Counseling, or related field, preferred.
Minimum Experience:
- At least one-year experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Experience in individual/peer counseling/social-emotional support with children and youth.
- Experience in community networking and referrals.
- Experience in case management of at risk youth/families.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Coordinate with administrators, school counselors(s), nurse(s) and other personnel in identifying and providing services to targeted students at assigned campuses based on need and including multiple campuses if necessary.
- Coordinate with community based organizations to identify eligible program participants who are not currently enrolled in school.
- Assist in program evaluation.
- Input data for reporting purposes.
STUDENT MANAGEMENT
- Provide assistance with co-parenting male and female students as needed to decrease roadblock for academic success.
- Coordinate child care/transportation and other services as needed.
- Provide individual and group guidance to students with issues resulting from the dual role of parent and student that may interfere with academic success.
- Provide case-management for students identified as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local mandates.
- Provide case-management for student residing in foster care via the Department of Family and Protective Services, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local mandates.
- Coordinate with community agencies to assist families in accessing social services.
- Provide individual and group guidance to students as needed, for children/youth identified as highly mobile and/or at risk per TEA criteria.
SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Coordinate with school counselor(s) with regard to vocational and other course opportunities available for students identified as at risk per TEA criteria.
- Serve as school/community liaison to recover students that may have dropped out of school.
- Provide assistance in accessing post-graduation options available for targeted populations.
- Maintain relationships with local social services organizations.
- Prepare reports and/or professional learning to community agencies and/or school personnel concerning advocating for highly mobile and at risk youth.
- Attend community fairs/events to inform the community about programs available for highly mobile at risk students.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Attend professional development related to highly mobile and at risk children and youth.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Perform other duties as assigned by Department Coordinator to include working exclusively with one or more targeted population as necessary.
- Basic computer skills to include Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Good oral and written communications skills.
- Ability to organize, manage time and prioritize duties.
- Ability to work well with peers, the public, parents and students.
- Supervise Interns as appropriate and as necessary.
