2026-2027 SY Wellness and Early Learning Specialist -McKinney-Vento Financial

Title:

Adelante Financial Wellness and Early Learning Specialist

Work Unit:

Office of Student Wellness

Reports To:

Adelante Program Coordinator & Executive Director of Student Wellness

Contract Length:

10 months

Pay Schedule:

Department Support

Overtime Status:

Exempt

Hours:

40

Union Status:

NEA

Licensure:

N/A

All positions with Santa Fe Public Schools require a post offer/pre-employment background check. Some positions have additional requirements as established by Federal or State Rules and Regulations.

General Function:

The Santa Fe Public Schools Adelante Program is dedicated to ensuring that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as their housed peers. In alignment with the McKinney-Vento Act, the program works to remove barriers to school enrollment , attendance, and academic success.

The Financial Wellness and Early Learning Specialist is responsible for facilitating access to financial support,

managing financial requests and disbursement of funds, and maintaining supporting documentation.

The specialist is also responsible for ensuring adelante families are connected to early childhood education opportunities and resources.

Education/Training/Experience:

Required

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or comparable field from an accredited college or university

Minimum of two years of professional experience in case management with individuals experiencing homelessness or other vulnerable populations

Bilingual in Spanish/English

Preferred

Professional experience working in a school system

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:

Understands the challenges faced by homeless children, youth, and families, including unaccompanied youth and pre-school aged children. Knows how to access community resources. Strong oral and written communication skills. Use a trauma-informed approach when communicating with students, families and school staff about student needs. Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with school personnel and members of the community. Ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and keep clear records. Proficient in Google Suite(Email, Calendar, Sheets, Forms, Docs, Meets). Skilled at engaging families via multiple platforms. Manages time effectively and is organized. Works independently, takes initiative, and follows through on tasks.

Essential Job Functions:

All functions are performed in accordance with established policies, procedures, safety and environmental regulations, facility and computer security policies and procedures. Functions are subject to change from time to time to meet the needs of the District. Current essential functions include but are not limited to the following:

Financial

• Serve as a single point of contact for financial assistance for eligible Adelante families.
• Facilitate access to financial support for eligible families.
• Facilitate family planning with the goal of self-sufficiency.
• Manage requests for financial assistance and maintain all proper back-up documentation.
• Coordinate and disperse emergency and non-emergency financial support to eligible families.
• Collaborate with Adelante Family Support Specialist to ensure equitable access to resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all financial assistance provided to eligible families.
• Work directly with the Adelante Program Coordinator, Adelante Program Specialist, SFPS Business Services staff, and Partners in Education to ensure accurate fiscal management.
• Monitor timelines to ensure timely expenditure of funds.
• Prepare reports for compliance with grants and district finance procedures as required.

Early Childhood

• Carry out intake interviews and screenings to evaluate the needs of parents or guardians living in high-risk or homeless situations, as defined by McKinney-Vento, with children aged three or younger.
• Coordinate with SFPS Early Childhood Program Coordinator and community partners to ensure families are connected to early childhood education opportunities.
• Facilitate prompt referrals and connections to essential services, including housing, physical and behavioral healthcare, substance use support, food assistance, and other social supports.
• Maintain accurate documentation and tracking of referrals and connections through assigned online systems.
• Attend student support team meetings.
• Refer requests for financial assistance to a centralized financial specialist.
• Conduct home visits, as needed.
• Seek and engage new community resources on behalf of Adelante children.
• Collaborate with community agencies as necessary to help stabilize Adelante families.
• Represent SFPS Adelante at agency meetings/public events as necessary.
• Provide data and complete required paperwork on time.
• Meet weekly with SFPS Adelante Team to promote communication among the team members, enhance program

development and collaborate on projects.

• Meet with the program coordinator as required.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings facilitated by the Adelente Program Coordinator.
• Provide assistance with other program needs and activities (e.g packing backpacks, food distribution, holiday

food/gift distribution events, fundraisers, scholarship events).

• Other duties as assigned.

Salary Range:

$45,000- $55,000 (Depends on Experience) Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to full and part-time employees that work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to):

Standard office equipment and software platforms such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

and the Google Suite. Telephone, fax, copier, computer, stamp machine, badge machine, calculator.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

Regularly required to stand and move throughout a room and/or facility. Communicates verbally and electronically. Uses hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. Required to sit, climb, balance, and drive. May have occasion to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and private automobile. Some evening or weekend work and travel may be required.

Environmental Conditions:

Most work is performed indoors. Frequent interactions with people in person, on the phone, or virtually will be necessary. Sitting, standing, bending and reaching may be required. Travel from location to location is necessary - must have dependable transportation. May conduct home visits.

Personal Accountability:

1. Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.

2. Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.

3. Begins and completes work within the allotted time.

4. Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.

5. Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment including its capabilities, limitations and appropriate/ special application.

6. Protects the District's resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.

7. Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.

Santa Fe Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, medical/genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.