FAMILY PRESERVATION PROJECT PARENT PARTNER

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, Inc. (SCCLS), is the leading legal services program in Southeastern Massachusetts providing free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income clients with about 100 dedicated, collegial staff across four locations. Our core mission is to achieve justice for clients through community based advocacy. We prioritize legal services in domestic relations, housing, benefits, elder law, employment, education, consumer and immigration issues. Under new leadership, the organization is undergoing a period of growth and innovation.

This position is in our brand new Brockton office. This office is located in downtown Brockton, close to our community partners. It is organized to perform high level legal work based on a holistic, trauma informed model. Staff specialize but also receive training in a broad range of issues. This model works to advance equity for our clients individually as well as in the systems that touch their lives. Brockton is one of the most diverse cities in New England, with a rich history and vibrant community as well as a high poverty rate. The office is steps from the commuter rail and enjoys easy access by car from both the Metro Boston area and Southeastern Massachusetts. This is a hybrid position.

Duties Include:

This parent partner will be part of an interdisciplinary team including a social worker, attorneys, paralegals and support staff in the Brockton office. The Family Preservation Project is a statewide project that works with families involved with the state child welfare agency, the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The goal of the Family Preservation Project is to ensure families get the help they need to address areas of concern to DCF so DCF does not remove children from the home. This project works to keep children safe with their families and to avoid emotional trauma caused by removal. The parent partner will provide mentorship to parents; be present at DCF home visits; help identify family needs and barriers; connect parents with appropriate resources; and ensure families follow up with resources. Duties may include work with other clients of the office to the extent capacity allows. The parent partner will collaborate with other staff in the office and in the statewide group of advocates working on this project.

Qualifications:

1. We seek an individual who has had direct, first-hand experience in successfully negotiating the DCF system on their own behalf in the past. Applicants must be highly committed to using their knowledge to help other parents involved in the DCF system.

2. Experience working with vulnerable populations and people in crisis required, including those who have experienced poverty, domestic violence, disabilities, substance use disorder, discrimination or being unhoused.

3. Familiarity with community resources

4. Excellent communication skills, organization, and attention to detail, including ability to manage a caseload

5. Ability to work collaboratively, establish rapport and to support and motivate others to reach goals; commitment to ongoing professional growth

6. Commitment to equity in all forms and ability to engage effectively with people from diverse cultures, opinions and values, including staff, volunteers, and community members. Experience working with or connection to communities served by SCCLS Brockton, which include Haitian, Cape Verdean, Brazilian communities

7. High school degree or equivalency preferred

8. Fluency in a second language which reflects our client communities (Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Khmer) preferred

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

SCCLS offers competitive compensation based on comparable public interest salaries and commensurate with experience. Benefits include ample paid leave, individual and family low-cost health, dental and vision insurance, a cafeteria plan, employer-paid retirement contributions. Multi-lingual annual increment to base salary may be added for demonstrated language skills.

APPLY:

Submit letter of interest and resume by email to: LThelin@sccls.org with Subject Line: Brockton Family Preservation Project Parent Partner

SCCLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a healthy, inclusive environment where all staff, clients, and community members are valued, empowered and recognized, especially individuals who come from marginalized communities that are often under resourced, underserved, and underrepresented.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brockton, MA 02301