Educational Advocate (Surrogate Parent)(Two Positions)

Rhode Island College invites applicants for the three positions of Educational Advocate (Surrogate Parent). These is a full-time, calendar year, temporary, grant-funded, renewable contingent upon funding.

The Paul. V Sherlock Center on Disabilities is seeking to hire two full time Surrogate Parent Educational Advocates to join an established team of advocates to support the educational needs of children who are in the care of DCYF and have a disability. The Sherlock Center, located at Rhode Island College, is a grant-funded organization with a 30-year history of supporting the disabilities community. As Rhode Island’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Sherlock Center is focused on improving the health, education, social and economic well-being of people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. An Educational Advocate is the Educational Surrogate Parent for children with disabilities aged 2.5-22 in state care whose parents are unable or unwilling to act on their behalf. They are appointed by the RI department of Education in accordance with the Consent Decree governing Educational Surrogates in RI. Advocates attend meetings with school teams, hospitals, residential facilities, and agencies that provide homes and mental health support to students. They are responsible for comprehensive record keeping, detailed data collection and case reviews.

Required qualifications:

• College degree in a discipline related to the education of children or child welfare.
• Three years of experience with children with disabilities or children in child welfare.
• Knowledge of the General and Special Education systems.
• Knowledge of pertinent laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of the child welfare systems.
• Ability to collaborate with professionals, families and students.
• Effective communication skills (verbal, written and electronic).
• Ability to travel and arrange transportation to various public and private school locations throughout Rhode Island.

• Experience working in special education or child welfare systems in Rhode Island.
• Bilingual