ARISE Child and Family Services Hiring for Education Advocate at Syracuse, NY Full Time

Reports to:
Lead Education Advocate

FLSA Status/Schedule:
Non-Exempt; 37.5 hours per week

Location:
Onondaga County

ARISE’s mission is to work with people of all abilities to create a fair and just community in which everyone can fully participate.

Job Summary:
The Education Advocate assists parents and students with disabilities in the special education system in accessing the accommodations and equal educational opportunities afforded by law. The advocate has a working knowledge of special education laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and federal laws that affect the rights of students with disabilities.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education required, Master’s Degree preferred

3 years classroom experience (Teacher, TA, Substitute)

Experience working with persons with disabilities

Knowledge of special education law, the ADA and the processes that govern special education proceedings

Excellent advocacy skills and ability to form collaborative relationships

Clean driver license and reliable, insured, inspected vehicle

Required Skills:
Ability to research and understand legal and medical text

Computer proficiency; Microsoft Office Suite, Virtual Conferencing Software

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Able to work both independently and with a team

Ability to maintain a large caseload

Essential Functions:
Inform parents/guardians of their child’s rights and suggest appropriate special education services and programs to meet their needs

Educate parents and families on the process of getting special education services for their child

Facilitate understanding of the child’s educational needs by explaining reports in plain language to families

Help families prepare for CSE and 504 meetings, including considering goals, reviewing medical evaluations, test results and classroom data, and help develop strategies to support the student learning

Research and Review Federal laws ADA, IDEA, and Section 504 as well as New York State Law Regulations of the Commissioner of Education – Parts 200 and 201 as it pertains to the students needs

Review and evaluate special education and section 504 documents, including student files, Psychological Education Evaluations, FBA/BIP, reading levels, related service (OT/PT/Speech) evaluations, IEPs, and Section 504 Plans

Review and consider medical, psychological, and mental health evaluations and reports and establish how it pertains to their education

Perform classroom observations when necessary

Provide 1:1 support to client in times of crisis

Accompany parents to IEP, Section 504, and other school meetings and advocate and assist as needed throughout the process

Represent the child in Superintendent’s Hearings and Manifestation Hearings

Work with parents to get their concerns heard by the district

Speak with clients to access educational and other concerns

Mentor clients on implementing strategies to be successful in school

Help resolve disputes between the district and families

Draft letters and written requests to school and district personnel

Draft formal complaints to school districts and the State Department of Education, when required; guide parent through complaint process

Work with Care Coordinators to ensue child’s needs are being met

Deliver disability awareness trainings to community partners

Network with other service providers in the community

Provide appropriate referrals, both within the agency and in the community including Special Education Lawyers, OPWDD and etc.

Ensure that individuals are accommodated and receiving services, and provide alternatives to service delivery as needed

Coordinate and execute outreach events to increase community knowledge of education advocacy and of ARISE’s 40 different services

Facilitate yearly workshops and educational events

Uphold code of ethics, code of conduct and all ARISE policies and procedures

Exercise sound judgment as a matter of course, and hold protected health information and other sensitive information in the strictest of confidence in accordance with ARISE and HIPAA policies

Consistently represent ARISE professionally by demonstrating the highest ethical standards

Perform other duties as assigned