Case Manager, Detained Adult Program

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. Amica Center’s Programs provide trauma-informed, person-centered legal services to adults and children impacted by immigration detention across the Capital Region and beyond. Serving hundreds of detained adults each year and offering legal orientation, screening, and representation to detained and formerly detained children, our work centers client autonomy, dignity, and holistic support within a fundamentally unjust system. Both programs operate in deeply collaborative environments that emphasize interconnectivity across teams, professional growth, mentorship, and adaptability. Staff bring deep expertise to a complex and evolving immigration system, working together through shared learning, innovation, and advocacy to advance the rights and wellbeing of the people we serve. The DAP Case Manager will work closely with DAP legal staff to support the rights and well-being of detained and released immigrant clients, many of whom have mental health diagnoses, cognitive impairments, trauma backgrounds, and unmet social service needs. The primary focus of the Case Manager will be preparing for and executing safe releases of our clients from detention, assisting with clients’ transitions to the community, and providing essential case management to clients regarding basic needs such as housing, mental/medical health care, and other forms of requested advocacy on the part of both the attorney and the client. While this position focuses on engaging with clients for their non-legal needs, the Case Manager will also work alongside the legal staff to provide Social Services related documentation to the court or other governmental and non-governmental entities in support of the legal case.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and/or experience, preference for a degree in social work, counseling or related field
Proficiency in Spanish
Valid driver’s license
Demonstrated interest in upholding the rights and dignity of detained immigrants, particularly those with mental health diagnoses
Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
Ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, and triage client emergencies
Ability to work well independently with limited supervision
Availability to work occasional weekend/evening hours to accommodate client needs or engage in community advocacy, within expected 35–40-hour workweek or during authorized overtime hours

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of immigration system
Knowledge of local community organizations and resources
Proficiency in Office 365
Proficiency in LegalServer

Responsibilities

Support an average caseload of 10-20 clients in detention and post-release
Support legal staff in resolving their detained clients’ social service needs
Coordinate and implement post-release plans for clients, building on clients’ existing resources, strengths, and autonomy to help them with their self-identified goals
Competently execute safe releases from detention, and provide time-limited services to clients to support their transition to the community
Engage in long-term support for a small portion of non-detained clients
Enter all client-related notes into case management systems and maintain confidentiality
Build and maintain relationships with myriad community partners including volunteer networks, organizers and service providers, both locally and nationally
Identify opportunities for social services networking and capacity building
Attending conferences, community events, and other outreach opportunities to support in professional development of the Social Services Department
Maintain and update the online social service database
Assist in equitable distribution of social service grants
Work collaboratively across a small team of social services staff to create and implement systems to improve program efficiency and service to clients
Assist in grant requirements such as reporting and spend-downs, to support social services funding streams
Create and give existing trainings on social services to colleagues within the organization
Communicate coverage needs to team and provide coverage to others during their periods of low bandwidth
Collaborate with other program staff to provide support outside the social services team, as needed
Ensure all administrative aspects of the position are carried out in an increasingly independent manner, including timekeeping, file upkeep, and database upkeep
Periodically provide in-court advocacy for clients alongside legal advocates, by explaining Post-Release Plans and other social-service aspects relevant to the client’s legal case
Provide support in the design and growth of the social services program through the creation of best practices, feedback solicitation, and staff development