Community Schools Success Mentors PS 123 (Harlem) & BAMM (Bronx)

Title:

School Success Mentors

Program:

Community School

Report To:

Family Coordinator

Direct Reports:

 N/A

FLSA Status*:

Non Exempt / $19 per hour

Community Schools is a strategy to organize resources and share leadership to integrate social services into the fabric of the schools.  The program is equipped to better serve the needs of families so that students succeed and families feel connected.

Community Schools offer a family focused holistic approach toward supporting wellness driven by strong, collaborative partnerships among parents, School Building Leaders, teachers and the greater community. In Community Schools, parents are real and active drivers in their families’ success, the school climate is inviting, joyful and positive, and opportunities are endless.

An integral part of this approach is the integration and alignment of school- and community-based services such as health & wellness services, student/family support, parent engagement opportunities and enrichment. This position has been established to strengthen PS/MS 123 community school program’s ability to increase student attendance rates, academic scores and family engagement strategies simultaneously.  

The Community School Success Mentors at PS 123 connect with students and families during the traditional school day, both independently and/or with a lead teacher or partner Graham staff in order to support students who have a historical pattern of chronic absenteeism from school throughout the school year.    Contact by the mentor includes daily check-ins in school with students, home visits (defined as wellness checks), in- school conferences with parents/guardians to mediate and advocate on behalf of students and families.  Relationship building is core to this work  in order for students and families to create a realistic SMART plan and continue to receive the support in order for them to be achieved.    

The Success Mentors will be assigned to students/families based on the following categories of attendance challenges:

-Family Health & Wellness- Medical Services

- Time Management- managing Multiple Appointments/ Priorities

-Parent/Student Motivation- Youth Development

-Temporary Housing/ Homelessness

-Student Suspensions

Mentors will have some skill/expertise with working with families in these areas in order to support the families in reaching monthly attendance targets and yearly attendance goal.

Some college preferred, high school diploma or equivalency required.  

 A minimum of 2 years working with elementary and/or middle schoolers and families in a structured environment.

Experience in working with students from diverse backgrounds, specifically low income communities.

1. Bilingual- English/Spanish preferred
2. Microsoft Suite proficient
3. Demonstrated experience working in a field that supports families in the following areas: Youth Development, Social Services, Family Assessments, Community Engagement, etc.
4. Ability to prove experience of developing and executing a vision
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. Practical and strong decision making skills.