Framingham, MA30+ days ago
p>Social Services Advocate responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Maintaining close contact with clients over the duration of their case to build strong working relationships;
- Conducting both brief and in-depth interviews with clients respecting their individuality and with cultural humility to obtain client histories; connecting with and interviewing collateral contacts;
- Performing needs assessments, developing treatment or service plans, referring clients to service providers, and making direct connections between clients and programs;
- Gaining comprehensive knowledge of statewide and local programming and services, and working collaboratively with community-based services that support clients;
- Collaborating with defense counsel to develop defense strategies and dispositional options which demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of our clients whole lives;
- Preparing and presenting courtroom testimony to describe services and dispositional alternatives arranged for the client;
- Preparing detailed and persuasive written advocacy for sentencing and mitigation purposes;
- Advocating for clients in a client-directed practice to facilitate best possible outcomes; and,
- Other duties as assigned.
- Experience working with individuals and families of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds;
- Knowledge of social, psychological, environmental, economic, legal, and medical factors that influence behavior;
- Understanding of social structures and institutional barriers that cause disparities, such as systemic racism and poverty;
- Culturally appropriate skills in client interviewing, assessment, case management, and treatment planning;
- Knowledge of public and private social services systems and resources;
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively orally and in writing;
- Proven ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team;
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the office and the service provider community;
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple clients and responsibilities;
- Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet with clients, bring clients to programs, attend meetings, conduct collateral interviews, and handle emergencies;
- Knowledge of defense practice, the criminal legal system, and/or corrections is a plus; and,
- Bilingual abilities are a plus.