Parent Advocate - EDUStaff Position

Position Type:
Support Staff/Paraprofessional

Date Posted:
11/28/2018

Location:
WK Kellogg Preparatory High School

Date Available:
12/17/2018

Closing Date:
12/14/2018

District:
Battle Creek Public Schools

Parent Advocate/EDUStaff

General Description of Position:
The Parent Advocate is the designated "liaison", or individual, based at a school whose primary function is to connect the home and school in a positive, safe and welcoming manner. Family Advocates make it possible for families, school staff and community to work together for the purpose of increased student achievement, attendance and positive school culture and climate. Family Advocates provide information to major stakeholders. Essential functions are as follows:

Location: W.K. Preparatory School -

Reports to: Building Administration/ District Coordinator

Essential Functions:

• Family Engagement, Ambassadorship, Home Visits.
• Develop and implement a family engagement plan
• Demonstrate effective communication skills across stakeholder groups and represents the school through thoughtful, meaningful and culturally appropriate communication
• Work with Family and Community Engagement ( FACE) Team to coordinate and deliver a wide range of direct parent education activities and services including, but not limited to in-service training and workshop sessions
• Work with FACE Team to provide materials and training to help parents/ staff work with children to improve student achievement, such as literacy training, online coursework, and technology as appropriate to foster parent involvement
• Work with FACE Team to provide parents/ guardians and the community literature and other resources relative to the school, i.e, district approved marketing materials, enrollment information, community resource information
• Support the development of the district/ school newsletter
• Work with parents regarding ways in which they can help their children achieve improved academic results measured by class, district and state summative assessments
• Develop and maintain a resource bank of agency contact information that provide economic, medical, food, counseling, tutoring, and housing assistance
• Assist with the coordination and execution of parent orientations and family nights
• Collecting data associated with attendance, student achievement, school culture/ climate and parent participation
• Make personal contact with parents/families to encourage and support volunteer engagement at family events, PTA, parent teacher conferences, Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Team and School Improvement (SIT) Team
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding BCPS children, families, staff and program operations in accordance to BCPS policies
• Attend weekly/ monthly staff meetings, professional development, and staff retreats as assigned
• Perform other duties as required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to relate effectively with children, families, community members, and staff of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with other community agencies
• Interest and ability to advocate with and on behalf of low-income, diverse families
• Ability to identify family strengths and plan/ advocate around family goals
• Possesses empathy and understanding of the families in the community
• Has ability to plan, organize and implement activities and events
• Skilled in writing and developing publications
• Has previous experience and/ or working knowledge of the demographic of the school population
• Skilled in oral and written communication

Requirements:

• Attend evening meetings/ events
• Visit families in their homes/ community setting with a team member
• Knowledge of community based organizations

Qualifications:

• High school or equivalent
• Experience working with adolescents in academic, vocational, or social programs

SCHOOL SAFETY CLEARANCE: The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint and background check as a condition of employment. All fees required for this check (estimated $69.00) will be the responsibility of the successful applicant.
The Battle Creek Public School District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, sex, age, religion, national origin, weight, height, or marital status in its employment practices.