Family Center Coordinator

Position: Family Welcome Center Coordinator
Duties

Function / Position Summary

Receive new families to the district and provide orientation related to the instructional services of School District U-46, as well as information about community resources. Coordinate the identification, assessment, and recommendation of a program for new students with a non-English background. Participate in community events and meetings to maintain an open communication network. Serve as an advocate for students and parents when necessary.

Provide support/refer social services for special circumstances. Disseminate information within the community about services offered by the Family Welcome Center and by School District U-46. Travel throughout the district to supervise the testing process for new non-English background students.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

* Maintain a positive climate and culture where families and staff members feel welcomed, valued, and respected.

* Implement the procedures related to identification, assessment, and placement of incoming Dual Language, ESL, and Transition Bilingual students. This includes assessing the English language proficiency of new Non-English Background (NEB) students and making well-informed placement recommendations.

* Continuously review the Family Welcome Center procedures to better support school departments and to assess and place students more effectively.

* Monitor the language proficiency screening at the middle and high school levels to ensure that all new NEB students and returning NEB students are tested and recommended to the correct U-46 program in alignment with the ISBE compliance timeline.

* Establish ongoing communication with school-level staff in regard to placement, qualification, and enrollment status of new NEB students.

* Responsible for accuracy and timely Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department (MMED) data entry for all new NEB PreK-12th grade students

* Keep schools informed about the students who qualify, accept, or refuse the MMED programs.

* Ensure EL folders for qualifying students are created, and all students' evaluation folders are distributed to the corresponding buildings in a timely manner when school is not in session.

* Responsible for collaborating with Early Learners and implementing the procedures for screening preschool students

* Responsible for developing and coordinating the kindergarten testing schedule at all Pre-K sites and all elementary schools.

* Support the coordination and facilitation of Beginning and End of the Year MMED procedures that include state and federal guidelines.

* On-going collaboration with Data and Compliance coordinator to support compliance and Home School Liaison professional growth and communication

* Provide day-to-day support to Home School Liaisons as it relates to the assessment and placement of NEB students.

* Establish ongoing communication with the assessment office and MMED Department.

* Maintain open communication with the Specialized Student Services department to ensure that children with special needs are placed in the correct program in a timely manner.

* Collaborate with Assessment Department on ACCESS and Las Links Trainings

* Collaborate with Private Schools and organizing screening

* Provide ACCESS and other MMED assessment (i.e., WIDA-MODEL and WIDA Screener) training to all new teachers/administrators in the district

* Conduct the Teacher Appraisal Process for the ETA Family Welcome Center staff.

* Facilitate connections for newcomers, families, and school staff with community partners.

* Coordinate and facilitate family engagement initiatives district-wide with schools that receive funds

* Collaborate with Family Engagement Coordinators in other departments to enhance and promote family engagement opportunities.

* Oversee the Bilingual Parent Advisory Group (BPAC) by serving as the immediate contact, organizing BPAC meetings, and supporting BPAC initiatives.

* Support the initiatives of the MME Department as deemed necessary by the Director of MMED.

* Participate in district-wide committees.

Qualifications

Education

* Five or more years of experience in the education field.

* Significant experience and comfort level working in a Suburban-Urban School System.

* Ability to work in a start-up environment, requiring flexibility, self-directed problem solving, collaborative work style, drive toward results, and enthusiasm.

* Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to create positive, trusting, professional relationships with diverse colleagues.

* Professional Educator License with General Administrator or Principal endorsement. PERA Module designations required (Teacher)

* ESL and Bilingual Endorsement/Approval required

* Bilingual, Spanish/English written and verbal (preferred).

Experience / Knowledge

* Administrative certification Type 75 required

* Multilingual (Dual Language, ESL, TBE) Program expertise.

* Capability of learning/understating new and different information systems.

* Bilingual required;
English/Spanish

Salary/Benefits

The salary range for this…