NLADA- VISTA Peer Partnership Coordinator, Worcester, MA

Americorps•Worcester, MA

50d

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Service (CPCS), Mental Health Litigation Division (MHLD) is a group of passionate attorneys who zealously advocate for, and provide legal services to, individuals involuntarily detained at hospitals based on an opinion that they are an imminent danger to themself or others because of symptoms of mental illness. We advocate for individuals to maintain their liberty and autonomy in all aspects related to their mental health. We fight for equal justice and uphold clients' legal rights and autonomy by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. The project will fill the need for more robust community engagement by the attorneys with the community we serve, with a special interest in and connecting with individuals with lived experience, both in and out of the hospitals. The VISTA project will increase legal services for people made at risk to poverty in the community who are also at risk of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The VISTA member will conduct outreach to local mental health peer advocacy community to build relationships between the legal advocates and the peer led community of individuals who have experienced psychiatric diagnoses and court actions. The result of this project will be the creation of an annual Know Your Rights event in the community and a pilot re-entry support group. These expanded community partnerships and increased community engagement will support stronger outcomes for individuals at risk to civil commitment actions and decrease unwarranted involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations.

Responsibilities

Coordinate partnerships with lawyers and social service advocates and individuals facing involuntary hospitalization and court-ordered medication orders.
Attend training courses to learn about Massachusetts laws related to civil commitment and court-ordered medication proceedings.
Collaborate with individuals who have been formerly involuntarily hospitalized
Work with lawyers and peer community to organize a Know Your Rights event for the Spring of 2026
Collaborate with existing peer advocacy groups to launch a pilot "Re-entry Support Group" for individuals transitioning from the hospital to the community.
Coordinate with legal community, support groups, and volunteers to deliver services to individuals transitioning back to the community after hospitalization.