Children's Education Advocate

Date Posted/Updated: 06/06/2024

No. of Positions: 1 Full-time

The Children’s Education Advocate links children staying in COTS Family Shelter with quality and affordable early learning, child care, after-school, and vacation/summer camp enrichment opportunities. Our children’s program specifically opens doors to education by helping with early intervention services when applicable, working with parents and schools to ensure proper supports are in place, making sure that children and families get connected to resources to apply to higher education when applicable, and connecting them with educational supports as needed. The Children’s Education Advocate provides direct support to parents staying in the shelter by assisting them in finding and applying for appropriate and affordable child care or after-school care, in order to allow them the time to search for housing and be available for work.

Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Visit childcare centers with parents to help assess fit.
• help arrange ongoing transportation and make contact with the centers’ staff in order to assist with future issues that may arise.
• connect families with the appropriate school district’s Homeless Education Liaison and help parents access McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act resources.
• work with parents and schools to ensure proper transportation and smooth transfer of records and support plans as needed.
• collaborate with the assigned Housing Navigator to help knowledge of possible subsidies and resources for families after leaving the shelter.
• work in collaboration with the COTS Children’s Mental Health Advocate in providing opportunities for parents to develop effective parenting skills and by working closely with agencies such as the Children’s Integrative Services and Parent Child Center Network.
• complete all required documentation and maintain records of children served and other data in COTS’ database (Foothold), as necessary for statistical and reporting purposes.

A critical component of this role is to establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with community and school-based partners and agencies within and surrounding the education system. COTS is one piece of a large network of community resources that partner together to support people in need.

Experience, Skill & Education Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant, prior experience in direct service work with children is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is preferred, but a combination of coursework and experience will be considered.
• experience with and/or knowledge of trauma and the emotional and developmental impact on children who have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and how to meet these needs in children of diverse ages and abilities.
• Experience with individuals experiencing homelessness and crisis intervention, as well as knowledge of resources and services for families, is preferred.

• Reliability, independent decision-making, problem-solving, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

All positions at COTS require a commitment to our mission: Advocating for long-term solutions to end homelessness and providing emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.

This is a full-time position with benefits. Pay starts at $23.25 per hour. To apply, send a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and a resume to jobs@cotsonline.org.

COTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We embrace diversity and encourage all to apply.