Nature and Scope

CDF's (Children Defense Fund) mission is to build community so young people grow up with dignity, hope, and joy. The CDF Freedom Schools® program is a direct service initiative coordinated nationally by Children's Defense Fund in partnership with local community organizations. It is an educational and cultural enrichment program that provides summer and after-school options for children and youth, and strengthens family and community involvement.

The mission of CDF Freedom Schools programs is to boost scholar motivations to read, generate more positive attitudes toward learning, increase self-esteem, and connect the needs of children and families to the resources of their communities. The program serves children and youth in grades K-12 for six to eight weeks. The activity-based Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is aligned with the Common Core State Standards, integrates reading, conflict resolution, and social action, and is designed to promote social, cultural, and historical awareness. A multi-year assessment of CDF Freedom Schools program sites continuously demonstrates the effectiveness of the IRC, which has proven to avert children's summer learning loss in reading achievement.

College-aged young adults and recent college graduates play a key role in the CDF Freedom Schools Program in the position of Servant Leader Intern. Each CDF Freedom Schools Servant Leader Intern serves as the teacher for a maximum of 10 scholars. Servant Leader Interns have access to further leadership development and networking opportunities geared toward continued direct service and advocacy on behalf of children, youth and families.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a positive role model for all scholars
• Supervise and maintain safety of scholars
• Maintain a professional decorum
• Set up, manage, and break down classroom space according to standards outlined by CDF and the sponsor organization
• Engage a maximum of 10 scholars per class in the Integrated Reading Curriculum
• Attend all required Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute training sessions
• Attend all local and site-based trainings as outlined by the Site Coordinator
• Work with site staff to ensure that all program components are implemented with fidelity
• Report any issues or concerns regarding program operation to the Site Coordinator

Qualifications:

• Must have completed at least one year of college in good academic standing (typical age range is 18-30)
• Ability to motivate others and work as part of an intergenerational team
• Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children and youth
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor
• Conduct routine site visits, whether operating onsite or virtually, to ensure that the program is being implemented with fidelity, including all program elements from the CDF Freedom Schools daily schedule and essential components
• CDF Freedom Schools' Training Manual 19
• Work with site leadership to recruit children and families who are under-resource
• Maintain the safety of all staff and scholars, which includes but is not limited to the following:
• Secure staff background checks and clearances
• Guarantee onsite safety procedures and protocols are in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines
• Communicate and confirm that all staff, scholars, and parents have an understanding of site guidelines
• Provide first aid (mental and physical health) training and materials to staff
• n Attend all required trainings and ensure all program staff attends required trainings
• Maintain regular communication and timely correspondence with emails and requests with the CDF Freedom Schools national staff
• Ensure timely dissemination of information to the appropriate parties, including Servant Leader Interns, Site Coordinator(s), and Project Director(s) as communication is received from the national staff
• Immediately inform the national staff of incidents and administrative issues that relate to compliance with the CDF Freedom Schools program, following up with the completion of an incident report form to provide written documentation
• Submit all required documents, data reports, and evaluations to CDF by the required deadline.
• Establish written policies that outline programmatic safeguards and practices which prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state laws governing your state. This document should be reviewed with staff and made available to them.
• Possess the capacity to carry out all related responsibilities, including authorization privileges, on behalf of the organization
• Leadership and supervisory skills through a proven track record of building high performing teams
• Experience successfully managing programs for children, youth, and families
• Administrative leadership skills and experience in managing, motivating, developing, and mediating an intergenerational staff
• Solid commitment to the success and well-being of children and youth
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exhibit positive behavior and attitude, modeling a mature and professional demeanor
• Ability to participate in all mandatory trainings and meetings as required by the CDF Freedom Schools national staff
• Ability to implement the CDF Freedom Schools Program with full fidelity

To Apply: Please submit your resume to blisshairston.bradfield@gmail.com OR theran.carroll@jfs.ohio.gov