SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

Personnel Commission

 

CLASS TITLE: Foster Youth Services (FYS) Liaison

DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs technical duties in serving as a liaison between schools, group homes, substitute care providers, placing agencies and others to ensure that the educational needs of students in foster care are met; organizes and oversees activities for a variety of FYS projects which include tutoring, mentoring, and emancipation programming to postsecondary education. Employees in this classification require limited supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL/TYPICAL DUTIES
  • Participates in the development of program materials and services for Foster Youth Services (FYS); researches and reviews existing materials and/or services; coordinates the assistance of other agency staff and subject matter experts in the development of materials and/or services
  • Assists FYS Coordinator in meeting program’s priorities and State FYS Coordinator’s outcomes
  • Ensures appropriate placement of foster youth to schools by assisting schools and districts in understanding and complying with applicable laws and regulations
  • Assists FYS Coordinator in developing processes to ensure youth with special education needs have timely assessments and identified services are provided
  • Plans organizes and conducts meetings among staff in schools, group homes, placing agencies, and other agencies involved in foster youth services
  • Provides training and conducts workshops on current policies, laws and legislation related to Foster Youth Services
  • Works closely with school district foster care liaisons and other foster youth services staff to ensure the timely transfer of health and education records to support stable care and educational placement for foster youth
  • Attends designated agency, county and district meetings; may lead local collaborative meetings and attend foster youth services conferences and workshops
  • Plans, facilitates and oversee special program events related to exposing foster youth to postsecondary and vocational education programs
  • Responds to a variety of inquiries relating to laws governing the sharing of health and education records of foster youth
  • Processes administrative details not requiring immediate attention of the FYS Coordinator
  • Contributes to a variety of comprehensive state reports related to program enrollment, attendance, participants, and programs
  • Prepares a variety memorandums and correspondence related to assigned activities and functions
  • Compiles resources and maintains files related to services to foster youth
  • Effectively uses word processing, database, and spreadsheet software application programs in the course of assigned duties
  • Operates standard office equipment including a desktop computer, copier, fax machine, printer and other peripherals
  • Confers with and serves as a resource to foster youth, substitute care providers, district staff, and other members of the community
  • Performs related duties as assigned.
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    EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

    Possession of:
  • A valid California driver’s license with a driving record that meets the insurance requirements of the County Office of Education
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    Knowledge of:
  • Foster youth populations and their unique needs, including special education
  • The organization and operations of the Foster Youth Services Program and/or experience with foster care and/or court-involved youth
  • Federal and State regulations and laws affecting the education of foster children, including children with special needs
  • The link between substitute caregivers, community-based organizations, placing agencies, educational agencies and advocacy groups
  • Desktop computer operations, peripheral devices, and software programs used for word processing, spreadsheets and the Internet
  • Effective office principles, procedures, and practices including indexing, filing systems and maintenance, telephone techniques
  • Proper report writing, document construction, and editorial enhancement techniques
  • Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation
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    Ability to:
  • Effectively facilitate meetings consisting of a broad cross-section of stakeholders in the lives of youth in foster care
  • Support the transitions of students out of the foster care system into postsecondary education
  • Effectively interact with diverse cultural student communities as well as large groups and be sensitive to the needs of all students, including those with special needs
  • Read, comprehend, and interpret applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, statutes, and ordinances, particularly those pertinent to serving youth in foster care
  • Understand and carry out both oral and written instructions in an independent manner
  • Coordinate, plan, develop, and organize the day-to-day administrative services and office operations in Foster Youth Services
  • Plan and coordinate events of variable size, facilitating communication between substitute care providers, professionals, educators, and colleagues
  • Effectively communicate in both oral and written forms
  • Effectively facilitate and conduct meetings and training sessions
  • Prepare, monitor, and evaluate program budgets and expenditures according to grant-funding guidelines
  • Quickly identify problem areas and situations, effectively analyze problem causes, and take appropriate action to resolve problems identified
  • Prepare, edit, and distribute correspondence, written reports, promotional materials, and publications with clarity and precision
  • Effectively use word processing, database, and presentation software application programs
  • Operate a variety of standard office equipment including, but not limited to, a desktop computer, fax machine, calculator, copier and other peripheral equipment
  • Establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with those contacted in the course of assigned duties.
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    TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

    Generally, the required training and experience would have been acquired through at least three years of progressive experience in coordinating, planning and organizing the administrative and operations of an education or social service program and two years of college. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social welfare, psychology, education, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred.

    BARGAINING UNIT: Office, Technical, and Business Services (OTBS) Unit

    WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are primarily performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk and at various school or program sites. Incumbents are subject to contact with or constant interruptions by staff, parents, or external agencies, demanding compliance issues or legal timelines.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Incumbents regularly sit for long periods of time, walk short distances on a regular basis, use hands and fingers to operate desktop computer keyboard or other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch to file, speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate a computer; hear and understand voices over telephone and in person; and move and transport materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

     

     

     

    Personnel Commission Approval: July 12, 2007