District Homeless and Foster Care Liaison

Mesquite ISD - Compensation Plans

Professional Compensation Plan

Pay Grade: 4
Shift Type: Full-Time
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports To: Executive Director - Administrative Services
  

This position is funded with Title l, Part A and continued funding of this position will be based in the availability of funds.

EMPLOYMENT BEGINS: 2026-2027 School Year

PRIMARY PURPOSE: 
To serve as the District Liaison for Homeless, Foster Care and Migrant Students.  To provide outreach to homeless and foster care students to assure that they are fully integrated into the mainstream school setting and offered appropriate education support as authorized under the McKinney-Vento Act and other applicable state and federal laws. To collaborate with Region 10 in the identification and support of Migrant students.

QUALIFICATIONS: 
Education/Certification:
Master's Degree or equivalent
Texas Teacher Certificate

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Demonstrate a strong knowledge of all federal guidelines and processes of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act.
Demonstrate a strong knowledge of all federal guidelines and processes of the Fostering Connections program for foster care students.
Possess knowledge and understanding of the change process, organizational development, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills.
Exhibit excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
An understanding of the challenges faced by impoverished and homeless children, youth and families including unaccompanied youth and preschool aged children.
The ability to exercise diplomacy and good judgement in diffusing disagreements and resolving disputes between parents, guardians, caregivers, or unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness and school staff over eligibility, school selection, enrollment, or other perceived barriers to a homeless student's education.

EXPERIENCE:
Successful experience as a teacher or counselor.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Coordinate McKinney-Vento and Foster Care enrollment requirements with campuses and enrollment staff.
Annually train and provide ongoing support to campus homeless/foster care liaisons.
Collaborate with McKinney-Vento Foster Care Social workers to support students and families.
Provide awareness, guidance and training to district and campus staff for homelessness and foster care.
Oversee determination of eligibility and identification of homeless students.
Coordinate the identification and support of Migrant students with Region 10
Maintain district database of identified homeless/foster care students and supervise all PEIMS coding for identified students.
Approve transportation request for homeless/foster care students.
Collaborate with transportation personnel to provide services to eligible homeless and foster care students.
Collaborate with community resource providers to support homeless and foster care students.
To assure that children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness receive referrals to health care, dental, mental health, substance abuse, housing, and other appropriate services.
To inform parents, guardians, caregivers, an unaccompanied youth of their educational rights and related opportunities available to their children and are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.
To oversee the inventory of school related clothing and supplies at the Family Support Center and to replenish as necessary.
Oversee the dispute resolution process in accordance with the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act.
Provide McKinney-Vento verification documents to all 12th grade students for purposes of college fee waivers and financial aid support.
Perform other duties as assigned.
        
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clerical Support assigned to McKinney-Vento, Foster, and Migrant

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Mental Demands:
Writing routine reports and correspondence.
Interpreting a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to meet deadlines from multiple assignment requests on a frequent basis.
Communicating and working effectively with varied personalities while maintain emotional control.

Physical demands/environmental factors:
Intermittent walking, sitting, and standing.
Occasional warehouse visits to inventory merchandise and occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 20 lbs.
Reaching with hands and arms frequently repeating the same hand, arm, or finger motion.
Working extended hours.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.