FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

TITLE: 

McKinney-Vento School Engagement Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:
In collaboration with the district McKinney Vento Care Coordinator, and in close communication with the Supervisor of Attendance, ensure enrollment, regular attendance, and opportunity to succeed in school for homeless children and youth, through case management and identification and coordination  of services.

OUR MISSION: 

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thoughts, learners, culture, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish the baseline; as a district, Framingham Public Schools are committed to achieving, developing and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as BIPOC.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Master’s Degree in Social Work preferred. Bachelor’s or other degrees in social work, psychology, counseling, human services, or related fields will also be considered. 

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Bilingual Spanish and/or Portuguese candidates strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Proven strong case management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of local social services, resources,  and district policies and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of community partnerships and systems.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Contact with all levels of personnel within the district, parents, students, and community.
• Demonstrate the capacity to work as an effective member of a team.
• Demonstrate a high degree of cultural competency to issues facing children, families, community members, and district staff experiencing homelessness and from a variety of cultural backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate the ability to organize, prioritize, problem solve and work independently.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Understand and have knowledge of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.
• Coordinate with the District McKinney Vento Care Coordinator, Supervisor of Attendance, district social workers/adjustment counselors and school staff to assist students experiencing homelessness with school attendance and engagement.
• Complete home visits and community visits as needed to support school connection & engagement. 
• Coordinate with district social workers, wrap-around coordinators, and school staff to assist with services and supplies that benefit children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
• Monitor attendance and absenteeism rates of McKinney Vento students; provide education to families on the importance of regular attendance as well as support to mitigate barriers to regular attendance.
• In collaboration with district staff, assist McKinney Vento  students and families with accessing services and supports to address barriers to consistent school attendance (i.e.  medical needs,  dental, and mental health services, clothing, school supplies, tutoring, etc.) that may impact attendance and school performance.
• Check on student enrollment records, and identify support needs; if Special Education, assist with IEP’s and with parent/guardian questions. Support student engagement and referral to MTSS systems if needing additional support.
• Network with community agencies to provide appropriate referrals to agencies, organizations, housing, and health care.
• Coordination and follow up of service referrals to community resources identified as necessary to support students in re-engagement with school and addressing barriers to consistent attendance.
• Coordination of transportation service referrals, requests for proposals, and other transportation coordination duties as required  for McKinney Vento students.
• Provide appropriate referrals to DCF as mandated by law.
• Maintain complete documentation of all services provided to children, youth, and families.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Health and Wellness.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building.  The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is expected to lift at least 20 lbs. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. Occasionally s/he operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person and on the telephone. The employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis as well as speak frequently. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces. The employee will be working in a normal school/office environment with an acceptable level of noise. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members. Employee must be able to transport themselves independently. 

REPORTS TO:

Director of Health and Wellness

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Director of Health and Wellness and secondary evaluator if designated by the Director of Health and Wellness

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under Framingham School Committee Policy.  

Flexible work schedule; some late afternoons/evenings may be required.

HELPFUL LINKS: 

Framingham Policies & Procedures Handbook

Click here for more information about our amazing benefits!

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

The Framingham Public Schools prohibit sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates.  Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.  The notice of nondiscrimination is located at the Framingham Public Schools School Committee website.