Social Worker - CAFL Transition Age Youth Office

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Framingham, MA

2d • 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 improve representation and advocacy for young adults and transition-aged youth involved in the family regulation system. The Social Worker will be a key member of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to both the legal and life outcomes of these youth. Initially, the office will operate remotely, with a future physical location anticipated in the Framingham or surrounding Metro West/Greater Boston area. CPCS is dedicated to equal justice and human dignity, zealously advocating for clients' rights and promoting just public policy. The agency serves a diverse clientele and emphasizes cultural competence among its staff. The Transition Age Youth Office specifically focuses on Care and Protection cases for youth aged 14-22, Children Requiring Assistance, and Permanency for Young Adult cases. The team will include an Attorney in Charge, trial attorneys, a social worker, an administrative assistant, and a peer support specialist. The Social Worker will report to the Attorney in Charge and collaborate with attorneys and other team members to prepare cases and achieve optimal client outcomes, with social work intervention occurring throughout the court and advocacy process.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, or other related degree, and one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience;
• Experience working with adolescents and families, preferably in an outreach capacity;
• Insured, reliable, and available transportation, and a valid MA driver’s license;
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

Nice To Haves

• MSW/MA and a Massachusetts LCSW/LICSW, LMHC or LMFT license.
• A commitment to serving a culturally diverse, low-income population;
• A commitment to fighting the racial and ethnic disparities in the family regulation system;
• Experience related to and knowledge of clinical issues regarding transition age youth, emerging adults, family separation, foster care, substance abuse, domestic violence, and related fields;
• Experience in the field of adolescence and child welfare;
• Knowledge of social, psychological, medical, economic, and legal factors that influence behavior;
• Skills and experience in interviewing clients, assessing their needs, case management, and service planning;
• Good organizational skills and the ability to track and monitor individual client cases;
• Skills and experience in interacting with persons of various social, racial, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds;
• Knowledge of public and private social services systems and programs;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing;
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently;
• Foreign language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Visiting and interviewing adolescents, young adults, and their sibling clients, including home visits;
• Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice;
• Performing needs assessments, developing service plans, referring clients to service providers, and making direct connections between clients and programs;
• Developing linkages with local government agencies and service providers;
• Helping attorneys and clients prepare for litigation;
• Advocating with DCF and other providers for appropriate services for clients and other family members;
• Providing social work perspective in the development of TAY practice materials, trainings, and support tools;
• Providing case consultation to legal defense teams;
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level