Education Advisor; Decatur, IL

Position: Education Advisor (4835) Decatur, IL
The Center for Child Welfare and Education (CCWE) at NIU, an Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) center, promotes equity by connecting the university, state government, communities, and families. CCWE advances better outcomes for vulnerable populations through policy development, services that foster educational success, and stable family structures. CCWE also trains educators and social workers to improve equitable service delivery and provides data to help youth and families access opportunities to succeed.

The Decatur/Springfield, IL Program Services Specialist position will support the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Decatur/Springfield Regional Office and children in foster care attending school in this area, furthering CCWE's mission to improve well-being and outcomes for vulnerable families.

Position Summary

This position will be working out of Decatur-Springfield, IL.

The Education Advisor provides problem resolution, subject matter expertise, advocacy, and guidance for educational wellbeing of children and youth in foster care (youth in care). The education advisor possesses extensive knowledge and skills that help youth navigate the complex network of education (general, special and post-secondary) and child welfare. The education advisor also serves as education resource for youth in care, caregivers, child welfare caseworkers and administrators, school and district personnel, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), court personnel, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Education Planning for Youth

* Engages in planning to ensure appropriate educational services for youth

* Develops intervention plans to address behaviors that mitigate school engagement and educational achievement

* Provides strategic education planning for youth relocating to new schools and/or school districts

* Develops and coordinates appropriate education plans for children and youth transitioning from one education level to another (preschool, elementary, secondary and post-secondary)

* Advocates for youth's best educational interests in school planning teams, such as Individualized Education Programs, 504 Plans, etc.

* Provides educational expertise in non-school planning teams such as CIPP, child and family teams, etc.

* Provides other guidance and recommendations to navigate educational issues and develop appropriate plans

Educational Technical Assistance for Individuals

* Resolves issues that affect the education of individual youth involved with the Illinois foster care system

* Provides consultation on handling educational issues

* Provides direction, support and resources in assessing and dealing with the youths' educational needs to youth, caregivers and professionals including child welfare caseworkers and administrators, school and district personnel (teachers, administrators, social workers, etc.), CASA, GAL, POS education liaisons, attorneys, community providers, etc.

Collaboration Across Systems

* Initiates and sustains collaborative relationships with local school staff and administrators and school district personnel that facilitate educational advocacy on behalf of youth in care

* Promotes communication and fosters collaboration between caregivers and school

* Fosters collaboration between caseworkers and school around youth's education

* Develops and implements collaborations to address the education of youth in care

* between DCFS and representatives from other state agencies (such as ISBE), and between DCFS and medical facilities, community organizations, etc. as needed

* Collaborates with early intervention and early childhood to provide successful interventions, resources, and enrollment for children in care

* Supports DCFS in its effort to monitor and improve educational outcomes through collaboration with DCFS administrators, Administrative Case Review, dually involved specialists, Agency Performance Team, etc.

* Works collaboratively to develop strategies to promote educational wellbeing of youth in care

Training and Professional Development/Building Capacity

* Develops and conducts training on evidence-based education best practice, state and federal educational laws, DCFS educational policies and protocol, etc.

* Builds capacity within child welfare through coaching and training caregivers and youth in care

* Builds capacity among DCFS and POS staff and administrators, POS educational liaisons, GALs, CASA and other court personnel through training and resources

* Provides professional development to school and district personnel on educational needs and challenges of youth who have been abused and neglected and/or in foster care

* Plans, organizes and promotes education training sessions

* Provides updates and resources on changes in federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to education, DCFS educational policies, procedures, protocols and initiatives

Systems Intervention

* Identifies trends that affect children's educational process; and communicates and works with Center director and other designated…