Section 18A:4-1.4 - Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, dutiesThe duties of the Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson established pursuant to section 3 of this act shall include, but not be limited to:
a. collaborating with school districts to develop and implement a Statewide strategic plan of action to prevent individuals aged 16 to 24 from disconnecting from school;b. collaborating with other agencies to address the challenges facing disconnected individuals, which agencies shall include the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Corrections, the Juvenile Justice Commission, and the Department of Children and Families;c. addressing issues associated with the reengagement of individuals and developing programs to facilitate the return of disconnected individuals to the classroom;d. developing and recommending to school districts programs and best practices, consistent with the recommendations of the School Disconnection Prevention Task Force established pursuant to this act, to prevent individuals from disconnecting from school and strategies for reengaging individuals who have disconnected from school;e. collaborating with the Secretary of Higher Education to develop and establish best practices for reengaging disconnected youth in institutions of higher education; andf. advising the Commissioner of Education and making recommendations, consistent with the recommendations of the School Disconnection Prevention Task Force established pursuant to section 6 of this act, to prevent individuals from disconnecting from school and strategies for reengaging individuals who have disconnected from school.Added by L. 2023, c. 277,s. 4, eff. 1/16/2024.