The Family Engagement VISTA focuses on both providing services and resources to families in Flint Community Schools, but also on engaging families to be part of the solution to helping students succeed. Safe Routes to School: - host Safe Routes to School monthly team meetings- host weekly walk to school days - lead school strategies to increase the number of students walking to school safely Family Engagement: : - Create welcoming space in each school for parents and families- Support parent/family groups - Serve as a school navigator to help students and families who are transitioning between schools Connect families to resources: - Collaborate to implement other fun, quality, safe, and educational programming and activities that support students and help meet the four goals of community education- Partner to develop at least one day of service event within the school or school community
Service Activities
VISTAs build resources, engage volunteers, support families, and collaborate with community partners. VISTA members ultimately address the root problems of underachievement, improve student academic performance (with a focus in literacy) and school attendance, and reduce student disciplinary incidents.
Community Need Addressed
Improving families access to information and resources specifically related to literacy
Will provide safe programming encouraging a healthy lifestyle involving walking or biking to school
Will provide mentorship to students struggling with maintaining satisfactory attendance
Position Outcomes
Increase attendance
Improve third grade reading levels
Improve graduation rates and grade promotion
Increase community engagement
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Effectively delegate tasks, Set goals
Service
Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization