Peer Support Advocate - CAFL Transition Age Youth Office

Committee for Public Counsel • Framingham, MA

9d • $54,944 - $80,688 • Remote

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is establishing a new Transition Age Youth Office within the Children and Family Law Division. This office aims to enhance representation and advocacy for young adults and transition-age youth navigating the family regulation system. Initially operating remotely, the office is expected to eventually be located in Framingham or another Metro West or Greater Boston area. CPCS is dedicated to fighting for equal justice and human dignity by supporting clients in achieving their legal and life goals, advocating for rights, and promoting just public policy. The agency provides legal representation in various case types for individuals who cannot afford an attorney. The Transition Age Youth Office specifically focuses on Care and Protection cases for youth aged 14-22 and their siblings, Children Requiring Assistance, and Permanency for Young Adult cases. This new office will include an Attorney in Charge, trial attorneys, a social worker, an administrative assistant, and a Peer Support Advocate. The Peer Support Advocate is a crucial team member responsible for improving legal and life outcomes for youth transitioning out of the family regulation system. They will leverage their personal experience to support these youth, working alongside attorneys and social workers to prepare cases and achieve optimal results. This role helps to reduce the power imbalance between system-involved youth and state agencies. The Peer Support Advocate will report to the Attorney in Charge of the TAY Office and receive supervision from the Director of Social Work for the Family Justice Advocates (FJA).

Requirements

• Personal, lived experience as a child/youth in the child welfare system.
• At least one year of full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills.
• Access to reliable transportation in order to travel to courts, clients, and other locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation.
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
• Candidates must have been separated from DCF for at least 1-year by the time of their start date.

Nice To Haves

• Foreign language skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Meeting with Trial Attorneys and Social Workers as a three-person team to discuss case assignments and develop plans to engage youth.
• Interacting frequently and consistently with youth through face-to-face meetings, home visits, phone calls, text messages, and emails depending on client availability and preference.
• Effectively sharing their personal story to connect, engage, and motivate youth.
• Researching, sharing, and helping access community resources for youth.
• Supporting youth at critical meetings and appointments.
• Working with youth on skill building, such as communication, scheduling, and advocating with service providers.
• Collaborating with other professionals serving the youth such as caseworkers and treatment providers while maintaining the appropriate level of confidentiality for a legal team.
• Updating information on any interactions with the client through the case management program, Zelly on a regular basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed