Attendance Success Mentor
OUR MISSION: Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future.
OUR VISION: We envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success.
PROGRAM DESIGN: Roads to Success (RTS) facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school, summer camps, retreats, conferences and summer employment opportunities reaching thousands of young people throughout NYC each year. RTS emphasizes the youth development practice of the Circle of Courage in all our programs; creating an environment of Belonging, where young people can build their Independence, find and develop their Mastery skill, and practice Generosity in their communities. At the core of our programs are staff training strategies that enable our young professionals to develop extraordinarily meaningful relationships with the young people in their care who we call Our Future Leaders because that is what they all are.
PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Attendance Success Mentor is a proactive and family-centered advocate who helps remove barriers to school attendance by working closely with students and their caregivers. This role blends research-based attendance strategies with hands-on support, including home visits, community outreach, individualized case planning, and school-based collaboration. Mentors identify challenges to daily attendance—ranging from housing instability and health access to transportation issues and school engagement—and partner with families and schools to develop sustainable solutions. Using continuous improvement methods, mentors ensure that students and their families have the resources, relationships, and supports needed to succeed.
ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE:
Supervisor: Community School Director
Max Hours: Full-time (35 hours/week)
Days: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm (some weekends and evenings required)
Compensation: $50,000 per annum, Non-Exempt
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Family-Centered Case Management
Conduct intake meetings to understand students’ attendance histories and family circumstances.
Build individualized attendance success plans with clear goals and timelines.
Provide consistent follow-up through in-person, phone, and virtual check-ins with families.
Offer direct support and connections to services including housing, transportation, food security, childcare access, and mental health resources.
2. Home Visits and Caregiver Engagement
Conduct regular home visits to deepen relationships with families and gain insights into attendance barriers.
Coach families through morning routine planning, school readiness skills, and strategies for managing transitions.
Reinforce the importance of consistent attendance and celebrate progress with families.
3. School-Based Attendance Team Participation
Serve as an active member of the school’s Attendance Team.
Analyze student attendance data and identify students requiring intervention.
Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and school leaders to align support efforts and interventions.
4. Community Engagement and Resource Mapping
Conduct ongoing mapping of community assets including nonprofit organizations, social service providers, and resource hubs.
Maintain and share a local referral directory for family support services.
Partner with organizations to co-host workshops, drop-in hours, and school events for families.
5. Neighborhood Canvassing and Outreach
Conduct community outreach in high-need areas to reconnect families who are disengaged or unaware of supports available to them.
Serve as a visible and trusted advocate in local neighborhoods, offering guidance, resources, and encouragement.
Collaborate with tenant associations, block leaders, and local businesses for grassroots engagement.
6. Attendance Improvement Planning (PDSA Cycles)
Use Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to test small-scale interventions tailored to specific school communities or student groups.
Track impact and adapt strategies based on feedback and attendance data.
Share learnings with school staff and the RTS team to inform broader practice improvements.
7. Event Coordination and Resource Fairs
Co-plan community resource fairs and school events aimed at connecting families with essential services.
Coordinate logistics including outreach, partnerships, translation services, and family follow-up.
Ensure events are inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with the attendance needs of the school community.
8. Documentation and Data Use
Maintain accurate, confidential records of family contact, attendance plans, interventions, and outcomes.
Use attendance dashboards and school data to guide case prioritization and strategy development.
Submit weekly updates and reports on activities and student progress.
9. Professional Development and Collaboration
Participate in trainings focused on youth development, trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and community advocacy, data collection/evaluation, motivational interviewing, PDSA cycles, Case Management, etc.
Share knowledge and promising practices with peers and contribute to a learning community committed to improving student attendance.
Other duties assigned by the Community School Director.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A degree or certification in education, child development, or a related field is preferred.
At least three years of experience working with school-age children in a group setting.
Demonstrated ability to plan and lead educational activities.
Strong communication and team collaboration skills.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
First Aid and CPR certifications are a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work takes place in one or more school buildings, which may require climbing stairs.
Typical job hours are aligned with school hours, Monday – Friday and events will take place during occasional nights and weekends.
Travel via public transportation or car may be required throughout NYC.
COMPETENCIES
Knowledge of child and youth development principles.
Ability to ensure safety and well-being of participants.
Skills in creating inclusive and welcoming environments.
Effective implementation of recreational and educational activities.
Promoting responsible decision-making among youth.
Developing leadership and teamwork among program participants.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success in serving youth.
DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization.
The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.