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Educational Advocate (Surrogate Parent) (Two Positions)

Company Name
Rhode Island College
Remote Position
No
Job Type
Full Time
Location
Providence, RI

Position Information

 

Position Title Educational Advocate (Surrogate Parent) (Two Positions)
Career Ladder Eligible? No
Career Ladder Path N/A
Department Name Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Full Time / Part Time Full-time
Scheduled Work Week / Hours / Area 35 Hours/Week
Monday-Friday
8:30am-4:30pm
Academic or Calendar Year Calendar
Number of Employees Supervised 0
Position Overview Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities is seeking to hire two full-time Educational Advocates (Surrogate Family) to join an established team of Educational Advocates staff to support the educational needs of children who are in the care of DCYF and who have a disability. The Sherlock Center, located at Rhode Island College, is a grant-funded organization with a 30-year history of supporting the disability community. As Rhode Island’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Sherlock Center is focused on improving the health, education, social and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. The person in this role provides educational advocacy services to assigned students by collecting and reviewing records, observing students, making referrals when needed, attending IEP meetings, working cooperatively with various service providers and other related activities.
Primary Purpose The individual will serve as an educational advocate for children who are in the care of DCYF and who have or are suspected of having a disability.
Essential Duties
  • Provide educational advocacy services to assigned students, including:
  • Collecting and reviewing school records, including evaluations, discipline report, attendance records and other relevant information.
  • Making referrals for special education evaluation when appropriate. -Visiting schools and observing classrooms for assigned students as appropriate.
  • Participating in eligibility team meetings, disciplinary meetings, IEP meetings and other school meetings for assigned students.
  • Maintaining familiarity with available resources for students with disabilities in the assigned districts.
  • Working cooperatively with various service providers, including CASA and DCYF, regarding educational planning for students.
  • Monitoring the performance of local school departments in complying with the IEPs of assigned students.
  • Keep accurate and up-to-date records, file reports and assist in the preparation of cases with staff attorneys and supervisors. -Provide resources and information to Rhode Island College faculty and students. -Attend IEP meetings and other school meetings as necessary.
  • Attend staff meetings and training sessions as scheduled.
Occasional Duties Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of the General and Special Education systems.
  • Knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations.
  • Knowledge of the child welfare systems.
  • Ability to collaborate with professionals, families and students.
  • Effective communication skills (verbal, written and electronic).
  • Ability to travel and arrange transportation to various public and private school locations throughout Rhode Island.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the education of children or child welfare.
  • Three years of experience with children with disabilities or children in child welfare.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in special education or child welfare systems in Rhode Island.
  • Bilingual
Environmental Conditions

The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.
Off-campus facilities may not be accessible to persons who are disabled.

 

The College requires that all applicants and employees be able to perform the essential functions of the job and will explore reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Do you have a college degree in discipline related to the education of children or child welfare?
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * Do you have three years of experience with children with disabilities or children in child welfare?
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Application Email/URL
https://employment.ric.edu/postings/search