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The ESS - Mentor (BVI) provides information, as well as acting as a role model and support for children and youth, their families, and educational teams as they navigate experiences of living with vision loss.
- Collaborates with families and educational teams to support the development and implementation of programs for children, youth, and families as they relate to educational opportunities and in the areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.
- Facilitates and delivers programs regarding adjustment to blindness for children and youth and their families.
- Acts as a role model for children or youth who are blind or visually impaired by interacting in ways that demonstrate how to build empowerment, foster independence, and self-efficacy.
- Supports families to navigate and understand the programs and services available from community partners and at school, and how to access these supports.
- Works closely with children and youth, in one-on-one and group settings (in-person and/or virtual), to develop strategies to enhance self-advocacy and success in school and other settings.
- Works with families, educational teams, and APSEA employees to enhance competencies and independence of children and youth who are blind or visually impaired in preparation for life in the adult world.
- Supports processes to create a safe, equitable, positive, and supportive learning environment in which diversities are valued.
- Fosters respectful, collaborative relationships between families and professionals.
- Participates in ongoing professional learning.