SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Program Operations, the Check & Connect Coordinator is responsible for the overall planning and management of implementing the Communities In Schools' (CIS) model of integrated student support. The Check & Connect Coordinator serves students who are on the threshold of chronic absenteeism and who are in danger of not meeting requirements for end of grade promotion. By providing comprehensive case management strategies, implementing evidence -based interventions, and collaborating with other youth/human service agencies, the Check and Connect Coordinator will work with students, families and school staff to improve attendance, academics, and behavior in order to promote academic success through high school graduation and post- secondary plans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Case Management: Advocate for, coordinate and provide identified services to students and their families.

• Identify students to administer attendance, behavioral and academic monitoring/interventions in support of educational success utilizing data (i.e., early warning indicators, student records and referrals)
• Conduct student assessments as required to create individualized student plans
• Create individualized student support plans
• Utilize strategies from the Check & Connect Curriculum to regularly monitor and adjust services identified in individualized student plans to evaluate and maximize effectiveness and impact
• Assess, monitor and track levels of engagement of target students using defined methodologies of “Check and Connect”; collect, document and compile student data as a tool to assess absences, tardies, suspensions, and grades/credits earned.
• Lead and coordinate the delivery of evidence-based services utilizing best practice and risk factor research (i.e., Developmental Relationships, Attendance Works, Check & Connect)
• Provide services to students identified as having excessive absences and /or tardies and who are in danger of not meeting requirements for end of grade promotion
• Assist in removing academic barriers through coordination of health and critical needs
• Act as a liaison between the students, family, community and school site
• Facilitate communication and promote goal-setting and problem-solving both at the individual student level and between home and school
• Contact parents by phone, email and home visits to share information and develop plans to help re-engage students in school
• Demonstrate the attributes and qualities of a positive role model, interacting with and relating to students in ways that support asset building
• Complete appropriate school and program documentation accurately. Submit documentation in the CIS Student Information System (CISDM) in a timely manner

Total Quality Standards (TQS): Implement the CIS model of integrated student services in compliance with Total Quality Standards (TQS).

• Lead the annual needs assessment process by utilizing various data sources (i.e., school improvement initiatives, surveys, discussions with staff, parents and students, and evaluation results from the previous year).
• Lead the development and implementation of the annual School Support Plan to include measurable objectives, procedures for delivering school-wide services, and targeted and sustained services to caseload students.
• Regularly monitoring and adjusting services identified in the School Support Plan as needed throughout the year to evaluate and maximize effectiveness and impact.
• Regularly report and discuss effectiveness of delivered services with school administration and DPO.
• Provide accessible services to help address identified school-wide needs or to build and reinforce student assets. Services provided should fall within the framework of Academic, Behavior Coursework and Parent Engagement (ABC + P).
• Support annual TQS reporting process to include but not limited to quarterly and end-of-year reports.
• Partnership Development & Relationship with Community Resources: Work to build and maintain internal and external organizational relationships/partnerships.
• Build, lead, and maintain a site team that collaborates in order to delivery services to students and families. The site team can consist of other CIS staff, school administrators, school staff, volunteers, and/or other community partners.
• Communicate and collaborate regularly with school administration, school staff, volunteers, and/or other community partners as to create a cooperative relationship to support and advocate for students.
• Conduct site team meetings, attend weekly Charlotte- Mecklenburg School (CMS) staff meetings, staff development activities and other relevant meetings to assist with student engagement as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Education, Human Services, Youth Development or another related field
• Minimum of two years of successful experience working with school-age children
• Knowledge of and experience with basic child and adolescent development principles, ways to communicate and develop positive relationships with youth
• Experience with adapting, facilitating and evaluating age- appropriate activities with and for individuals and groups
• Experience conducting assessments to identify potential risk factors with students, families and communities and take measures to reduce those risks
• Familiarity with local health and human service agencies and the services they provide
• Computer skills to include working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, Google Suite, Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms

SKILLS REQUIREMENT

• Ability to cross cultural boundaries to build and maintain strong working relationships for organizational success.
• Strong problem solving skill with the ability to work through tough issues quickly and effectively and maintain positive employee relations.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and people management skills.
• Sensitivity and ability to appreciate the points of view of personnel within the schools, other agencies/organizations including a keen awareness of their needs and how to build collaborative partnerships based upon fundamental CIS principles.
• Self -motivated, well organized, detail oriented, and able to effectively work independently and within a team framework.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position is located within the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required. Regular and satisfactory performance including meeting all process deadlines and stated deliverables is required.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Criminal background check and pre-employment drug test required. Financial credit check and driving record check required, if applicable.