Primary Purpose:
The CAST 18+ program serves students ages 18-22 years old who are eligible for special education services. These services are designed to be specialized, age-appropriate instructional services that help students transition to life after leaving public education. 18+ programs and services are designed to support students in applying the skills they learned during their school years in the environments they will be accessing in adult life. What happens when the bus stops coming and school services are no longer available? 18+ services focus on putting the adult schedule in place, including needed supports, while the student and their family still have support through school.
Eligible students are students with disabilities who receive modified content in one or more courses for state graduation credit are eligible for 18+ services if they have met credit and assessment requirements for graduation, and have not reached age 22 by September 1 of the school year.
HJISD’s CAST 18+ program is a community-based program. Learning is located in the settings where students will be in adulthood. Anywhere the students might go during the day is a place they will be able to continue accessing when they are no longer eligible for school services. Students travel throughout the community regularly. School supports are provided per IEP, as appropriate.
Job coaches are an essential component of the CAST Program. Job coaches work one-on-one with the students, assisting team members with customer service, social skills, ?money handling, food preparation, custodial work, and more. Job coaches also assist with district transportation to, from, and during the program each day.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
High school diploma
Valid Texas educational aide certificate
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Ability to work with children with disabilities
Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
Ability to communicate effectively
Knowledge of general office equipment
Experience:
Some experience working with children
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Support
Help teacher prepare instructional materials and classroom displays.
Help maintain a neat and orderly classroom.
Help with inventory, care, and maintenance of equipment.
Help teacher keep administrative records and prepare required reports.
Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
Student Management
Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, or positioning.
Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, bathroom needs, and personal hygiene.
Help manage behavior of students. This includes intervening in crisis situations and restraining disruptive or dangerous student behavior as needed.
Assume responsibility for learning and adapting to each student’s special medical, physical, communicative, and emotional needs.
Work with individual students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
Help supervise students throughout the school day, inside and outside the classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of individual students.
Work with assigned students or small groups to develop motor skills and conduct instructional exercises assigned by teacher.
Assist assigned students throughout school day, inside and outside classroom. This includes lunchroom, bus, and playground duty.
Keep teacher informed of special needs or problems of assigned students.
Other
Meet all grant requirements for which this position is funded.
Maintain confidentiality.
Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
Follow established safety procedures and techniques.
Report promptly to the principal any accident or illness of staff or students.
Other duties as assigned by administration.
Promote, participate, and facilitate in a teamwork center manner.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.
Equipment Used:
Wheelchair lift, ramp, personal computer, copier, and audiovisual equipment.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, and pulling; regular heavy lifting of students. Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.
