Truancy Intervention Specialist

* The Truancy Intervention Specialist is a grant funded position; therefore, the duration of this position is subject to the guidelines outlined in the grant.

SUMMARY

The Truancy Intervention Specialist position is responsible to develop a process for the Education department for truancy and a deferment process. The Truancy Intervention Specialist will have a task team for developing the processes. The position will enforce the GTB Juvenile and Children's Code. The position will keep track and monitor truancy in the six-county service area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a bachelor's Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or a related field.
• Must have 3-5 years of experience working with youths
• Must have a valid Michigan Driver's License and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a truancy and deferment process using a task force.
• Develop plans and strategies for intervention and prevention of attendance problems:
  • Inform the child's custodial parent(s) by a notice in writing and by other means reasonably necessarily to achieve notice of the fact that the child has failed to attend school recurrently or for an extended period of time
  • Schedule a conference or conferences with the custodial parent(s) and the child at a time and place reasonably convenient for all persons included for the purpose of discussing the causes of the child's absences
  • Take steps to eliminate or reduce the child's absences. These steps may include, where appropriate, adjusting the child's school program or school course assignment, providing more individualized or remedial instruction, coordinate tutoring, preparing the child for employment with specific vocational courses or work experience, or both, and assisting the parent or student to obtain supplementary services that might eliminate or alleviate the cause or causes for the absence from school.
  • Coordinate additional or continuing counseling for the parent(s), the child, or both, and provide assistance in obtaining access to testing, assessments or any other program that is reasonably designed to correct the attendance problems of the child, insuring that the school or school district is meeting its legal requirements to meet the child's learning needs
  • In those situations where a school refers a child for discipline problems to the tribal truancy intervention specialist, the specialist in cooperation with the YIS and school shall work with qualified persons to determine the cause of the problem and develop a culturally sensitive program that is designed to provide the child with a positive and culturally appropriate learning environment, which program can include the child and the parent(s).
  • If the above actions are not successful in substantially reducing a student's absences from school or if the parent or child refuse to comply voluntarily, the specialist may refer to Tribal Prosecutor or Child Welfare Department.
• Comply with all GTB policies & procedures including the GTB Children's Code.
• To be in compliance with the Privacy Act and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality of participants served by the program.
• To collaborate with Tribal programs, local, state and state agencies.
• Coordinate with the Youth Services Intervention and others
• Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact, and respect.
• Exceptional detail and follow-up skills.
• General proficiency in computer literacy, preferably in Windows, Word, Excel, and use of associated peripherals, and other Microsoft office products.
• Basic general proficiency in 10-key and other office equipment.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with Native Americans and their families.
• Must be able to provide accurate communication regarding required narrative reports and grant reports.
• Must be able to collect and present data.
• Must be able to work with minimal daily supervision as…