Public Counsel Position

Public Counsel Law Center is proud to announce an opening in the Transitioning Foster Youth Early Intervention Program of the Children’s Rights Project for a full-time foster youth advocate.

Who We Are

Public Counsel Law Center is the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the world. Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is dedicated to advancing equal justice under law by delivering free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community, including abused and abandoned children, homeless families and veterans, senior citizens, victims of consumer fraud and nonprofit organizations serving low-income communities. Our staff of thirty-three attorneys along with thousands of volunteer lawyers, law students and legal professionals assist over 26,000 low income children, youth, adults, and families, as well as eligible community organizations each year. The value of free legal services provided during 2007 is conservatively estimated at over $72 million.

Position

Foster Youth Advocate, Children’s Rights Project

Project Description

The Transitioning Foster Youth Early Intervention Program strives to ensure that foster youth in grades 9-12 receive the Transitional Independent Living Plans (“TILP”) and Individualized Transition Plans (“ITP”) to which they are entitled by law in order to complete high school, plan for college and achieve long-term success.

Job Description

The Foster Youth Advocate works under one Supervising Staff Attorney and has the following general responsibilities:

• Advocate for individualized and effective transition plans with and for foster youth and monitor the progress of the foster youth and track the services being provided;
• Identify systemic barriers to TILP and ITP development and implementation and devise strategies to remove those barriers;
• Prevent a select number of chronically truant youth from dropping out of school and promote transition to the next grade level;
• Help a select number of students be placed back in the college required A-G curriculum;
• Help a select number of students access all of the services and supports needed to apply to two and four year colleges on time, be accepted, and have the financial support to stay in college;
• Provide foster youth and their caretakers with “Know Your Rights” trainings on TILPs and ITPs;
• Provide court, agency and school personnel with trainings on developing and implementing effective TILPs and ITPs for foster youth;
• Develop and disseminate training materials that reflect the specific needs and barriers facing foster youth ages 14-18;
• Meet regularly with Children’s Law Center (“CLC”) attorneys about the status of cases;

* * * * *

Skills Required/Preferred:

• A Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) (strongly preferred);
• Proficiency in the Spanish language;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and phone skills;
• Public speaking experience is highly desired;
• An interest and/or experience in juvenile court proceedings, including the dependency and delinquency systems, is also preferred;
• Knowledge of the special education and transition planning processes and our experience with advocacy in these areas.

Salary: DOE

Availability: Immediately

Application Deadline: Continuous until the position is filled.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and list of references by email to:

Laura Faer, Esq.

Directing Attorney

Children’s Rights Project

lfaer@publiccounsel.org

Tel: (213) 385- 2977 ext. 113

Fax: (213) 385- 9089

Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.