Inclusion Assessment & Student Support Advisor

Inclusion Assessment & Student Support Advisor

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Youth Services

DEPARTMENT: School Age Programs

SALARY: $75 - $100 per hour

YWCA NNJ is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over two million women, girls, and their families.

YWCA NNJ has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for 100 years — from voting rights to civil rights, affordable housing to pay equity, violence prevention to health care reform, and supporting military veterans. Today, we combine programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice & equality, gender equity & empowerment, and safety & wellness.

YWCA NNJ is tackling the most challenging and pressing social justice issues facing our constituents:

• Working to end gender-based sexual harassment and violence.
• Providing affordable and educationally driven childcare and after-school programs.
• Increasing access for women and LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities to fair workplaces, reproductive health care, and safety.

Our vision of a world where all women and girls are free ignites our collective imagination, guides our organizational practice, and is the constant benchmark we strive toward. In service of this vision, we lead strategic initiatives and policy campaigns to fight for the rights of women and girls, while centering people of color.

The Inclusion Assessment & Student Support Advisor provides limited-hours assessment and consultation to help determine whether YWCA Northern New Jersey programs can appropriately and safely support children with educational, developmental, behavioral, or other identified needs. The Advisor reviews relevant documentation, participates in intake discussions and observations as appropriate, identifies potential accommodations and support needs, and provides recommendations regarding enrollment, placement, and successful participation.

The Advisor works with program leadership, families, schools, service providers, and other appropriate professionals to inform individualized inclusion recommendations. The position may also recommend and, as appropriate, provide training or guidance to staff related to inclusion, accommodations, and participant support strategies. This position is advisory and does not provide ongoing case management, serve as the primary family contact, or provide clinical treatment or independent behavioral therapy.

Ongoing participant support and implementation of recommendations remain the responsibility of YWCA NNJ's full-time staff, program leadership, site leaders, and program teams.

• Review IEPs, 504 Plans, behavior support plans, evaluations, developmental assessments, and other relevant participant documentation.
• Participate in intake discussions and, when appropriate, observe participants in program settings to understand strengths, needs, accommodations, and support requirements.
• Assess whether YWCA NNJ programs have the staffing, resources, environment, and supports necessary to appropriately accommodate a participant.
• Identify recommended accommodations, environmental modifications, staffing considerations, and other supports needed for successful participation.
• Provide recommendations regarding enrollment, placement, continued participation, transitions, and reentry, consistent with YWCA NNJ policies and leadership oversight.
• Recommend additional services, resources, or referrals when a participant's needs may exceed the program's available capabilities.

• Engage with parents and guardians as needed during the assessment or support process to clarify participant needs, successful strategies, and support expectations.
• Collaborate with teachers, school counselors, Child Study Team members, therapists, and other service providers when appropriate and with parent/guardian authorization, in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Participate in collaborative or multidisciplinary meetings as needed to inform assessment and inclusion recommendations
• Provide program leadership and staff with guidance regarding recommended accommodations, inclusive practices, and participant support considerations.
• Review behavioral or participant incident reports when requested and recommend preventive strategies and appropriate follow-up.
• Collaborate with program leadership and, as the organization's inclusion structure develops, Behavioral Inclusion Specialists regarding assessment findings and recommended supports.
• Recommend appropriate community resources or referrals when additional services may be beneficial.

• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation related to participant assessments, observations, recommendations and follow-up.
• Prepare written summaries and…