Mitigation Specialist, Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program (AID)

The Legal Aid Society•New York, NY

18d

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Mitigation Specialist in the Queens office of the Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program. The Adolescent Intervention and Diversion Program specializes in working with adolescents who are charged as adults in criminal and Supreme court matters. These client’s range in age from 13 to 18 years old and often have experienced a multitude of traumas including childhood neglect and abuse, long term poverty, educational disruptions, mental illness, substance abuse, physical illness, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. These experiences not only impact their functioning level, but also provide mitigating circumstances that must be incorporated in the defense advocacy. The Mitigation Specialist works directly with an assigned AID attorney to strategize a plan that incorporates both legal and therapeutic approaches to mitigate the court case and meet the individualized needs of the adolescent client. The Mitigation Specialist will interact with the client as well as family members, friends, school personnel, service providers, and community members, among others. The Mitigation Specialist is also an integral part of the process in advocating for removal to family court.

Requirements

MSW degree and New York State (NYS) license in social work (LMSW or LCSW) preferred OR the ability to obtain LMSW licensure within 6 months of hire
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience
Strong interest in and experience working with adolescent clients and family members with the following special needs: mental illness and chemical addiction, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, histories of family fracture and dysfunction, etc
Familiarity with residential treatment centers, day treatment programs, and specialized schools that serve adolescents
Ability to interface with Judges, District Attorneys, and Correctional Personnel
Ability to negotiate with community-based organizations with the goal of increasing access for our clients to receive supportive services
Excellent written and oral communications skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills. Candidate must be able to manage a diverse caseload and prioritize tasks
Proficient in using Microsoft 365
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Responsibilities

Interview clients, and complete psychosocial and risk assessments using validated instruments
Provide crisis intervention, brief treatment, or short-term counseling to adolescents and their families
Identify and interview collateral sources of information. Collateral interviews are done with family members, friends, teachers, social workers, community members, and others connected to the client
Assess a client's readiness for treatment and/or programming and make appropriate referrals for mental health, family interventions, ATIs, drug programs, violence interrupters, etc
Develop relationships with school partners to support in educational advocacy efforts comprised of records request/review, IEP planning meetings, suspension hearings, school transfers, alternative education programs, etc
Provide written and/or oral support for the following: EC Motions in support of removal of cases to family court, pre-pleading and pre-sentencing memoranda for presentation to court and the prosecution, and bail applications
Help clients, families and caregivers navigate the child welfare system (Administration for Children’s Services) and the New York City Department of Education
Make home visits and attend meetings at schools, jails, and detention centers
Testify in court
Gather and analyze the data to evaluate the impact of social work services with our client population
Conduct training for LAS staff, social work interns, treatment providers, and criminal justice personnel
Participate in the development and ongoing practice of specialty court parts
Act as an expert social work consultant to the stakeholders in the criminal justice system and community providers regarding court advocacy, law reform, and re-entry
Other duties as assigned