Peer Support Advocate - CAFL Transition Age Youth Office

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Framingham, MA

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is establishing a new Transition Age Youth (TAY) Office within the Children and Family Law Division. This office aims to improve representation and advocacy for young adults and transition-age youth navigating the family regulation system. Initially operating as a fully remote office, the TAY Office will eventually be located in Framingham or another Metro West/Greater Boston area. The TAY Office provides multidisciplinary support, including case preparation, training, and limited direct client representation, focusing on Care and Protection cases for youth aged 14-22, Children Requiring Assistance, and Permanency for Young Adult cases. The office will consist of an Attorney in Charge, trial attorneys, a social worker, an administrative assistant, and a Peer Support Advocate. The Peer Support Advocate, a crucial member of the legal team, will leverage their personal experience within the child welfare system to support youth transitioning out of the system, working collaboratively with attorneys and social workers to enhance legal and life outcomes. This role is designed to help balance the power dynamic between system-involved youth and state agencies.

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 will only be considered if they 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