Student Advocate at Maya Angelou Academy SY 27-26 in Laurel, Maryland at Maya Angelou Schools See Forever Foundation

The Organization

Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed — they will thrive!

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

Site Description

The New Beginnings Youth Development Center (New Beginnings) is the District of Columbia’s long-term juvenile detention center for male and female youth, responsible for the care and custody of young people placed in secure detention by the DC Superior Court.

Position Overview

The Student Advocate supports the successful transition of youth from a juvenile detention facility back into their home schools, communities, and support systems. This position serves as a bridge between the facility-based school program, families, community schools, and community-based organizations to ensure continuity of educational services and reduce barriers to successful reentry.

The Student Advocate is responsible for coordinating school enrollment and educational transition planning, monitoring student progress for 90 days post-release, maintaining communication with key stakeholders, and advocating for students' access to educational, behavioral, and community support.

Re-Entry & Transition Planning

Develop and implement individualized re-entry and transition plans for students preparing for release from the juvenile detention facility. Assist students and families in identifying appropriate educational placements and support services upon release. Facilitate enrollment and re-enrollment into community schools, alternative programs, GED programs, vocational training, or postsecondary opportunities. Ensure timely transfer of educational records, including transcripts, credits, IEPs, evaluations, behavior intervention plans, and other required documentation.

Monitor student attendance, engagement, behavior, and academic progress for up to 90 days following release. Conduct regular check-ins with students, families, and school personnel to identify and address barriers to successful reintegration. Maintain documentation of student progress, interventions, referrals, and follow-up activities. Provide advocacy and problem-solving support related to transportation, enrollment challenges, attendance concerns, school discipline issues, and access to services.

Serve as the primary liaison between the juvenile detention facility school program and families, community schools, and external stakeholders. Build positive and collaborative relationships with parents/guardians to support student transition and engagement. Communicate regularly with community school districts, special education departments, social service agencies, workforce programs, and behavioral health providers. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences as needed.

Support students in developing self-advocacy, goal-setting, and transition readiness skills. Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and restorative practices in all interactions with students and families. Introduce students to Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings, conducting welcome interviews, tours, discussions about school culture and expectations, and group sessions and team-building activities. Maintain a working knowledge of community resources available to students and families.

Maintain accurate student transition records and case notes in accordance with agency and confidentiality requirements. Track and report re-entry outcomes, including enrollment status, attendance, credit recovery, and engagement indicators. Prepare reports and updates for leadership regarding transition outcomes and identified student needs. Support compliance with IDEA, FERPA, McKinney-Vento, and other applicable federal and district regulations.

Other Duties as Assigned:

Tasks that may not directly align with your job description but are vital and serve to maintain a safe and effective teaching and learning environment for scholars and staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (required)
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with at-risk youth, justice-involved youth, or students in alternative educational settings.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, schools, and community agencies
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of FERPA and compliance
• Experience working with opportunity or justice-involved youth (preferred)

Salary and Benefits

Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation salaries are comparable to those of other public charter schools in the District of Columbia area. Compensation for instructional roles follows our established pay bands, which can be accessed from our career page. In addition, we offer a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental and vision, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan with employer contribution offered after 1 year of service, along with the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.

See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.