Q: What is a Cultural Liaison?

A: A cultural Liaison is a person who is a native speaker of another language and is bilingual and bicultural or has had significant cultural experiences, which lend themselves to understanding students and families of other cultures, and also allows for communication/education.

Q: What does a Cultural Liaison do?

A: This person facilitates communication between students and families of other cultures and the larger school community.

Acts as a resource to teachers, administrators and other staff regarding culture, heritage and background of students
Informs/educates parents/students regarding school routines, opportunities, culture
Assists in pre-referral process of Special Education - Interprets and acts as a cultural broker within Special Ed meetings
Facilitates completion of translation requests by staff
Resource to staff within buildings –
- Providing feedback regarding special student situations
- Special ed
- Communication with other support agencies within building (councilor/social worker/chemical health/etc…)
- Gathering information about situations surrounding altercations against students or misconduct by students from students, families, staff to help in the communication and the larger school process of solving the problem
Encourages parent/school communication/contact
- Volunteering
- Participation in school events

● Supports student access and participation in both academic and extra-curricular opportunities within the school

o Be innovative in coming up with ideas to help support students and their families.

o Encourage areas of interest

● Helps implement and support initiatives to educate parents on issues they are interested in learning more about.

● Provides parents with tips on how they can support their child’s growth and development

● Understands the ins and outs of the school system and acts as a referral service for families and staff with available support agencies and/or guide parents along appropriate paths within school system (issues could relate to the following)

o School culture/norms

o Health related concerns

o Education

● Provides support at scheduled events at designated level (Ex. Parent’s Night, Curriculum Night, Transition Nights, etc…)

● Partakes in weekly meetings to reflect on situations within buildings/provide feedback/discuss similar concerns regarding individual families or district as whole