Summary
Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE Home/School Advocate (HSA)
SUPERVISOR Building Principal
JOB SUMMARY
The Home/School Advocate (HSA) will assist in identifying and working with students with special educational needs and facilitate communication between the school and home with parent/guardians regarding the special education process. The HSA helps communicate important information with parents/guardians about student progress and needs in school.
ASSIGNMENT‘
Two additional days beyond scheduled student days
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
The following is a list of activities HSA may be involved with from time to time. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned from time to time. The HSA will work with licensed staff in carrying out many of the activities listed herein.
- Intervention
- Assist in detecting and locating students who may need special education or related services.
- Meeting with students about concerns, problems in school and discuss strengths
- Sharing with parents/guardians about potential problems their child may be having in school and sharing successes.
- Determine if the child/family have culturally relevant factors
- Help to gather information and develop appropriate interventions prior to referral
- Gathering information from parent/guardians both difficulties and strengths
- Observing students in school
- Attending Intervention Meetings to discuss concerns interfering with student’s school progress
- Gathering information so that consideration is given to cultural factors and their impact
- Help to determine whether or not referral for formal assessment is warranted.
- Assist in implementing interventions at school
- Assist parent/guardians in implementing interventions at home
- Communicate with parent/guardians about student’s progress
- Referral and Evaluation
A. Assist in the evaluation and assessment planning areas for determining eligibility.
- Attend evaluation planning meetings
B. Assist in evaluation procedures in regard to cultural background and/or perceptual issues including cultural sensitivity.
- Review assessments ( tests ) for appropriateness in respect to student’s language and/or culture
C. Assist in identification process of children and assure assessment is done to verify the suspected special education area of need or related needs.
D. Provide information to the parents/guardians on the referral process, due process and the individualized education program and work with them to ensure their involvement.
- Contact parent/guardians to interpret the evaluation plan and/or ask them to sign parental permission form(s).
- Contact parent/guardians to see if they have any questions about the evaluation plan or their rights.
- Review/translate Procedural Safeguards ( parental rights ) form with parent/guardian
3. Evaluation/Re-Evaluation
A. Where appropriate, determine influence of student’s native language, linguistics
- Interpret standardized assessments ( tests & special education assessments )
- Assist in gathering information from parent/guardians
4. Eligibility Determination
A. Notify parent/guardians of rights regarding notice, consent and other due process issues.
- Contact parent/guardian to arrange meeting time to review evaluation results
- Interpret results for parent/guardian and staff during meeting if needed
- Interpret/translate written evaluation report ( ER ) for parent/guardian
- Respond to questions from parent/guardian about evaluation results
- Interpret/translate Parent Rights Procedural Safeguards
A. Facilitate parent/guardian involvement in Team meetings.
1. Contact parent/guardian to arrange convenient time
2. Team meeting(s)
3. Interpret for parent/guardians and staff during meeting when needed, using terms that are understandable to all
4. Assist parent/guardians participation in meeting by providing information about their child and giving input about what their goals are for their child
5. Assist parent/guardians in understanding different program and placement options
6. Help parents/guardians to understand that this determination is not “bad” but rather the intent is to assist their child to find more success, academically.
7. Follow up with parent/guardians. Obtain signature on Parental Consent form(s) when necessary and provide Parental Rights/Procedural Safeguards form.
6. Other Duties
A. Assist the student at the onset of special education services and at times of program changes and work with problems that affect the child’s adjustment.
B. Assist with student needs through one-on-ones, lunch bunches, small group sessions, etc., as needed.
C. Make ongoing, periodic contacts with parent/guardian and students to enhance communication, answer questions, and promote parent involvement.
D. Assist with attendance-related tasks that may include phone calls, instant alerts, home visits, student and/or parent contacts, etc.
E. Utilize school and community resources to enable the student (s) to receive maximum benefit from his/her educational program.
F. Participate on any relevant teams/committees, and advisories.
G. Provide all requested documentation, reporting, and paperwork necessary to fulfill duties as Home/School Advocate
H. All other relevant duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. Two years of post-secondary or two years of work experience with children.
2. Knowledge of the community, resources, special education and other services.
3. General understanding of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ) and MS125A.00 ( Minnesota rules ) relating to special education services
4. Certification in CPI, CPR and First Aid preferred.
5. Demonstrate organizational and communication skills.
6. Ability to interact with the public
7. Valid Minnesota Driver’s License
8. Must complete necessary application process including criminal background
check and drug screening test
