Student Placements

Placements are suitable for majors and minors in Social Work, Sociology, Education, Anthropology, Communication, Journalism, Political Science, Justice Studies, Spanish, and other related studies.

Placements are open for students interested in internships, work-study, volunteer work, and other field experience/special project.

The headquarters for SB6 Academy for Families are at JMU Blue Ridge Hall (Office on Children and Youth) and at NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center. The Academy Coordinator will train, supervise and assist students throughout their work.

Requirements for positions:

Enthusiasm, patience, commitment
Previous experience is not necessary
Good communication skills: across cultures and socio-economic levels
Understanding of the socio-economic barriers local families may experience
Ability to:

  1. relate to and advocate for families according to the above
  2. establish rapport with children
  3. work with case management software and other computer technology

Conversational level of Spanish preferred for all positions; knowledge of other languages (especially Russian or Kurdish) welcome. An advanced level required for the Latino Outreach position.
Work schedule is flexible but commitment throughout the semester is necessary.

Positions:

Social Work, Case Management:

  1. Intake and enrollment of new families into the program
  2. Evaluation of child development
  3. Family needs-assessment
  4. Interaction with families at business office and home visits
  5. Case management: keeping regular contact with families, tracking progress, providing support and resources, making appropriate referrals
  6. Communication with partner agencies: planning meetings, supporting common goals, producing reports
  7. Communication and participation with community services and programs for referrals and support to and from SB6 programs

Outreach and Publication:

  1. Planning, promotion and organization of special events
  2. At-large community outreach: create and deliver mass mailings and announcements, organize and deliver presentations to target audience (parents) and supportive audience (civic groups), serve as a representative at community group/council meetings.
  3. Managing the SB6 newsletter: writing/gathering articles (on education, health and early childhood, to promote the program, to highlight community services or events), procuring advertisers, printing and distributing copies.
  4. Update, publish and distribute Academy Parents Guide (quarterly): communicate with partner agencies and other community services to update activities and events and opportunities for families to earn “Academy Credits”

Latino Outreach:

  1. Writing weekly articles related to health, education and early childhood for the Spanish newspaper
  2. In serving as a SB6 representative,  assisting in administrative tasks of the Hispanic Services Council (participating in meeting, taking minutes, gathering and publishing announcements, managing listserv)
  3. Communicating with community groups and agencies who specifically serve the Latino community for collaborative projects and community building

 

About the Agency:
The Success by 6 Academy helps parents and providers raise children to be healthy, happy, and ready for school by providing:

  1. Support
  2. Resources
  3. Education

SB6 Academy is a partnership of agencies working together to support the families and providers in our community. The Academy is funded by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. The JMU IIHHS Office on Children and Youth implements and manages the grant and the United Way of Harrisonburg & Rockingham Co. serves as fiscal agent.

Vision Statement:
A diverse community where every family is supported and has access to quality programs and resources for their young child.

Mission Statement:
To help all children enter school healthy and prepared to succeed by:
- Expanding and enhancing our community’s early childhood readiness efforts
- Establishing effective partnerships between parents, community leaders and
all those interested in the lives of young children and
- Ensuring that services are available for all children from birth to age six.

For more information please contact:
Sylvia J Whitney Beitzel
Academy Coordinator
whitn2sj@jmu.edu or sb6whitney@gmail.com
www.valleysb6.org
Phone: (540) 271-4488