Attend to Achieve Program and Prevention Specialist - SY24/25 - Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

TITLE: Attend to Achieve Program and Prevention Specialist 

LOCATION: Central Office and Training Center

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.              

JOB GOAL: Efficiently facilitate administrative processes to ensure program criteria with school, county, state requirements to be in compliance with the Kansas Compulsory Attendance Law. Through coaching and professional development, provide information regarding best practices for sustaining the fidelity of the truancy diversion and other identified prevention programs identified by the department leadership.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Knowledgeable of effective verbal and non-verbal and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction
• Knowledgeable of human development that supports a child’s intellectual, social and personal development
• Knowledgeable of community/outside resource agencies for the purpose of providing referrals for families and/or students in maintaining the home-school connection for student success
• Will require some evening hours
• Knowledgeable on how to conduct a home visit
• Educate parents on best practices for attendance in supporting student achievement
• Develop, Coordinate and Facilitate parent groups/workshops
• Educate parents on the Kansas Compulsory Attendance Law, district attendance policies, and Wyandotte County Diversion Program criteria and requirements for successful completion.
• Maintain and organize the collection of data and records for case records for documenting activities and complying requirements
• Provide technical assistance and build rapport with building attendance secretaries, counselors, social workers and district staff in responding to inquiries for the purpose of information on district support services and/or educational programs; including monitoring student chronic absenteeism
• Attend and participate in weekly team meetings and submit weekly status reports
• Participate in weekly department meetings
• Participate in school-based team meetings for attendance concerns as needed
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of student records and information
• Maintain weekly visits to schools to assess student’s individual goals for improvement regarding attendance along with gathering weekly attendance detail reports
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective function of the Student Services Department
• Effective communication skills in conveying consistent information to parents/guardian

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, social worker, counseling, human services, or related field
• Previous classroom or instruction experience preferred
• Knowledge of the Wyandotte County Compulsory Attendance and Truancy Law
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficient organizational skills
• Proficiency with data analysis and monitoring
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, experience with student data management systems preferred
• Reliable transportation due to traveling between schools
• Experience developing and facilitating professional development training and awareness of adult learning theories and ability to apply adult learning principles when coaching school-based professionals preferred
• Demonstrated success in working with students and families of diverse backgrounds
• Must be able to maintain positive interactions with parents and staff, and role model the values and expectations of our district
• Self-disciplined and an effective problem solver
• Related field experience [Counseling or Social Work] Preferred
• Bilingual Skills Preferred

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

Performs other related work as required.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear.  The employee must occasionally push items of 35 pounds or moving/rearranging furniture.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:   Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 261 days 

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORT TO:  Director of Student Support Programs

Performance Evaluation: The performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board’s policy on the Evaluation of Classified Personnel

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59^th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

913-279-2262

Title IX@kckps.org