Community Placement Coordinator at Maya Angelou Academy (YSC) SY 26 - 27

Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed — they will thrive!

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

The Youth Services Center (YSC) is the District of Columbia’s detention center for male and female youth, responsible for the care and custody of young people placed in secure detention by court order from the DC Superior Court Family Court Division.

The Community Placement Coordinator serves as the primary liaison among the Maya Angelou Academy at YSC, DYRS, Maya Angelou Academies at New Beginnings, and the Department of Corrections, as well as community schools, families, and community partners, to ensure seamless educational transitions for students entering, transferring within, and exiting secure care settings. The Coordinator manages intake and enrollment processes, educational records, reentry planning, and warm handoffs that support continuity of educational services and successful reintegration into community-based educational programs.

The Community Placement Coordinator works collaboratively with youth, families, facility staff, local education agencies, and community stakeholders to remove barriers to enrollment, ensure students possess all required educational documentation upon release, and support transitions between juvenile and adult educational settings within the school network.

Introduce students to the Maya Angelou Academy at YSC through a welcome intake and by discussing school culture and expectations.

Lead and coordinate warm handoff processes for students transitioning from juvenile detention facilities to community schools, from juvenile facilities to adult correctional education programs within the school network, and between secure educational settings as needed. Schedule transition meetings involving students, families, sending and receiving school personnel, case managers, and other stakeholders. Monitor transition completion and follow up to verify successful enrollment and continuity of services. Maintain documentation of all transition activities and outcomes.

Develop and implement individualized educational transition plans for students preparing for release. Coordinate community school enrollment and placement activities prior to student release whenever possible. Facilitate communication between students, families, and receiving educational programs to support successful transitions. Identify and address barriers that may impact school enrollment and attendance following release.

Serve as the primary point of contact for educational transition matters. Establish and maintain strong partnerships with DYRS, Community schools, and districts, and families and caregivers. Participate in school-based teams and transition planning committees. Provide information and training regarding educational transition procedures and best practices.

Track and monitor student transition outcomes, enrollment status, and records transfer completion. Maintain accurate records of placement activities, referrals, and transition services. Prepare reports related to educational transitions, reentry efforts, and program outcomes. Analyze transition data to identify trends, barriers, and opportunities for improvement.

Tasks that may not directly align with your job description but are vital and serve to maintain a safe and effective teaching and learning environment for scholars and staff.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, school counseling, psychology, or related field (required)
• Minimum of three years of experience working with at-risk youth, juvenile justice populations, educational transitions, student support services, or case management.
• Experience working with adolescents exhibiting behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges. (preferred)
• Experience working in alternative education settings, juvenile justice programs, correctional facilities, or high-needs school environments preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.