Educational Advocate - Providence, United States - Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College

Verified Company

Providence, United States

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

The Paul.

V Sherlock Center on Disabilities is seeking to hire two full time Surrogate Parent Educational Advocates to join an established team of advocates to support the educational needs of children who are in the care of DCYF and have a disability.

The Sherlock Center, located at Rhode Island College, is a grant-funded organization with a 30-year history of supporting the disabilities community.

As Rhode Island's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Sherlock Center is focused on improving the health, education, social and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities.

An Educational Advocate is the Educational Surrogate Parent for children with disabilities aged in state care whose parents are unable or unwilling to act on their behalf.

They are appointed by the RI department of Education in accordance with the Consent Decree governing Educational Surrogates in RI.

Advocates attend meetings with school teams, hospitals, residential facilities, and agencies that provide homes and mental health support to students.

They are responsible for comprehensive record keeping, detailed data collection and case reviews.

Primary Purpose

The individual will serve as an educational advocate for children who are in the care of DCYF and who have or are suspected of having a disability.

Essential Duties

Provide educational advocacy services to assigned students, including:
Provide educational advocacy services to assigned students, including:
Collecting and reviewing school records, including evaluations, discipline report, attendance records and other relevant information.
Making referrals for special education evaluation when appropriate. Visiting schools and observing classrooms for assigned students as appropriate.
Participating in eligibility team meetings, disciplinary meetings, IEP meetings and other school meetings for assigned students.
Maintaining familiarity with available resources for students with disabilities in the assigned districts.
Working cooperatively with various service providers, including CASA and DCYF, regarding educational planning for students.
Monitoring the performance of local school departments in complying with the IEPs of assigned students.
Keep accurate and uptodate records, file reports and assist in the preparation of cases with staff attorneys and supervisors. Provide resources and information to Rhode Island College faculty and students. Attend IEP meetings and other school meetings as necessary.
Attend staff meetings and training sessions as scheduled.

The college requires that all applicants and employees be able to perform the above essential duties of the job and will explore reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities in accordance with ADA requirements.

Occasional Duties

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Knowledge of the General and Special Education systems.
Knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations.
Knowledge of the child welfare systems.
Ability to collaborate with professionals, families and students.
Effective communication skills (verbal, written and electronic).
Ability to travel and arrange transportation to various public and private school locations throughout Rhode Island.

Required Qualifications

Education:

College degree in a discipline related to the education of children or child welfare.

Experience:

Three years of experience with children with disabilities or children in child welfare.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in special education or child welfare systems in Rhode Island.
Bilingual

Environmental Conditions

The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions. Off-campus facilities may not be accessible to persons who are disabled.