2020-2021 Village Tutoring Program
We are still planning our 2020-2021 Fall Academic Support options. We do know that we WILL be here to help you and your children be their best! Please check back for more information, which will be coming as soon as possible. You can also email us at contact@villageatithaca.org to let us know you’d like us to contact you once we’re ready to start registering students.
Family Advocacy Program
The Village at Ithaca’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) supports families who have children in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD). Families are matched with a trained local community member (a Family Advocate) who provides long-term, one-on-one support to the family, directing them to local resources and services that will support them in becoming more effective advocates for their children. Family Advocates also act as a liaison between the school district and the family, assisting parents and caregivers navigate school policies and programs in support of their children. Typical examples of the kinds of things that Family Advocates do include:
- Attend Teacher conferences with caregivers to promote better communications
- Review / explain a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Attend Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings with caregivers
- Identify and coordinate additional academic support for the children
- Assess existing services that the child/family may be receiving
Prospective Family Advocates do not need to have prior advocacy experience; however, they are expected to participate in an extensive multi-session training program sponsored by the Village at Ithaca. Topics include culturally sensitive advocacy, mediation skills, and specific information relevant to a student’s experience in the ICSD (discipline, academic intervention, guidance, etc.). As families become more proficient advocates themselves, they will eventually participate in the FAP in a number of new ways, including referring other families to the program or acting as Family Advocates themselves.
Village at Ithaca 