The principal task of the Student Advisor is to help students and families make the best use of available opportunities and resources to fully develop each student’s individual potential.
Work Schedule Requirements:
Be on call 24 hours a day for students; Be able to work nights and weekends as necessary, in addition to a normal assigned schedule, in order to do student home visits and complete the necessary job requirements.
Functions & Responsibilities:
Identify reasons why assigned students are not successful in school or exhibit undesirable behavior; Work with families and students in alleviating adverse conditions to promote resiliency and academic success for at risk students; Assist parents in utilizing school and community resources to maximize their student’s educational abilities; Involve parents in the school to create positive academic and social outcomes for students; Listen to and respect the feelings and sensitivities of students and parents of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds; Help students overcome the social and emotional problems interfering with adjustment and achievement in school; Provide/coordinate special education related services for students with physical, mental, social, emotional and other educational disabilities; Increase educational attainment and enhance the educational experience for students and their families by assuring equal opportunity; This position will be required to meet or exceed specific student attendance rates; Any other duties required
The Student Advisor employs appropriate social work methods in situations affecting the student`s educational process.
Student Advisors:
Conduct assessment of student needs; Promote regular school attendance; Conduct home visits; Promote safe, caring, and drug tree schools Empowerment of/advocacy for students; Provide culturally competent services; Provide appropriate services for homeless student; Provide individual counseling; Facilitate group counseling; Self-esteem; Anger management; Impulse control; Social skills training; Substance abuse prevention; Provide crisis intervention services; Complete Student Advisor developmental case studies; Participate in the evaluation of special education placements; Participate in the development of behavioral modification plans; Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), and Supportive Intervention Plans (SIP) Provide short/long-term case management services to individual students; Referrals to community agencies; Coordination of services with community agencies; Coordination of services with other disciplines within the school; Participate in transition planning for students; Coordinate pregnancy prevention programs; Coordinate drop out prevention programs; Report suspected child abuse/neglect; Provide: case management services
Direct Services with Families/Communities:
The Student Advisor employs appropriate work methods to assure students` positive academic and social outcomes.
Student Advisors:
Promote parental involvement in the schools; Promote parental involvement in school conferences; Promote parental responsibility for regular school attendance; Conduct home visits; Conduct family needs assessments; Promote safe, caring, and drug free schools; Empowerment of/advocacy for families; Provide culturally competent services; Provide appropriate services/referrals for homeless families; Provide crisis intervention services; Refer to community agencies; Facilitate parent groups; Parenting skills; Substance abuse awareness; Special needs children; Child abuse prevention; Appropriate discipline; Assist families with the interpretation of school policies and procedures; Collaborate with community agencies; Collaborate with support personnel within the school; Participate in case conferences with other school specialists; Participate in the identification and resolution of school-wide/community needs; Interpret the Student Advisor role to the community; Serve as a liaison between the school/family/community; Participate in referrals and case management of students/families involved in the court system; Serve on school-based committee meetings; Serve on community interagency teams and other task force teams relevant to Student Advisor Work; Serve on the school Crisis Team to promote a safe school environment; Promote a safe, caring, and drug free school environment.
Program Planning and Evaluation:
The Student Advisor facilitates, participates in, and provides input for system wide, school based, and departmental program planning, evaluation, and development of policies. All program planning and evaluation activities are done in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations and school board policies.
Student Advisors:
Conduct individual and/or system-wide surveys to assess the school and/or community needs
Plan individual school and/or system-wide programs to promote a positive and caring school climate; Collaborate with community agencies to coordinate services within the school system
Advocacy:
The Student Advisor operates as an advocate with all community populations utilizing skills that respect issues of cultural and ethnic diversity and equity for every student and family.
Student Advisors:
Address child abuse and neglect, due process, and liability issues; Advocate for school environments to operate in the best interests of children; Encourage parents to be actively involved in their children`s educational experiences; Adhere to behavior and professional practice
Consultation and Education:
The Student Advisor provides specialized consultative services to school staff, community agencies and other professionals. Services are designed to assist families, students, and educational professionals in providing quality interventions, which allow students to reach their highest educational, developmental and social potential.
Student Advisors Consult in Such Areas as:
Preventive interventions; Classroom management; Child abuse and neglect; Mental health and emotional impairments; Family and psychosocial functioning; Parent involvement; Maintenance of caring, safe and drug-free learning environments; Identification of barriers to educational achievement
Professional, Practice, Development and Management:
The Student Advisor shows evidence of professional growth, development and management and adheres to a professional code of ethics.
The Student Advisors:
Keep abreast of current community resources and determine how these resources may be beneficial to the student, her/his family, and the family`s involvement in the academic process; Understand, and practice in accordance with, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and/or policies that relate to students and families; such as, child protection/child abuse, special education, attendance, education rights and privacy; Assume responsibility for her/his own continued professional development; With support from the LEA, maintain professional materials for professional growth and development; including periodicals, books, and software; Practice professional renewal through a variety of means; such as, attending regional and national conferences, participating in professional organizations, and remaining abreast of current research and literature; Expand and exchange knowledge through consultation with coordinators, specialists, psychologists, counselors, and other colleagues; Evaluate, interpret, and perform research with specific application to student, family, and community issues; Develop and maintain skills that increase the social worker`s initiative and effectiveness in working in school settings; Maintain accurate and appropriate case records and documentation; Maintain a statistical, demographic breakdown of current caseload
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