Overview
Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks an attorney to join the School Justice Project (SJP) to provide direct representation, policy advocacy, and community outreach and education to ensure that youth involved with the juvenile and criminal justice systems secure the educational resources to which they are entitled and succeed in school. This attorney will use AFC’s integrated strategies to advocate for the education needs of court-involved youth and those at risk of court involvement. Given the evolving implementation of Raise the Age and Close to Home legislation, the need for education advocacy by an attorney versed in the juvenile and/or criminal justice system is critical. The attorney in this position will provide advocacy and direct representation to help youth involved in the juvenile and/or criminal justice system who are experiencing inappropriate school services, supports, and placements (including special education); school discipline; and other school-related difficulties. The attorney will also provide technical assistance on the educational rights of court-involved youth to providers that work with this population. Using knowledge gained from direct representation, the attorney will engage in systemic advocacy to advance the civil rights of court-involved youth.
Working in partnership with New York City's most disadvantaged families to secure quality public education services, AFC is a not-for-profit social justice organization that enforces civil rights law. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal justice systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.
Responsibilities
Direct Representation:
The attorney’s workload will consist primarily of legal casework with families of youth involved in or at risk of being involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems who face educational challenges. The attorney will advocate for students who are: in danger of being suspended, policed in school, in need of another school, in need of special education services, or experiencing other school-related difficulties. As part of this advocacy, the attorney will provide families with information on their rights in school, including schools in juvenile and correctional facilities; facilitate referrals for evaluations; participate and advocate in school meetings, IEP meetings, and Manifestation Determination Reviews; advocate to schools, New York City Department of Education administrators, and New York City Family, Criminal, and Supreme Court judges; collaborate with professionals working with youth in the juvenile and criminal justice systems; identify appropriate school placements and services for students; and represent families at suspension hearings and special education administrative hearings.
Policy Advocacy:
Using the information learned through individual case advocacy and trainings, the attorney will advocate for systemic changes, such as decreasing the racial disparities and number of students arrested, issued summonses and juvenile reports, and otherwise policed in schools; and improving the educational and vocational attainment of students involved in or at risk being involved in the juvenile or criminal justice systems. This advocacy may include writing letters, reports, and public comments; participating in city and state policy meetings; testifying before the City Council; and working with other organizations to advocate for systemwide changes.
Outreach and Training:
The attorney will engage in community outreach and, through the development of materials and presentations, provide technical assistance and training to students, parents, and professionals working with youth in the juvenile and criminal justice systems on education rights and issues related to court involved youth.
Qualifications
• Law degree, with admission to the NYS bar preferred;
• Two to three years of litigation experience is preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in public interest law, juvenile or criminal justice issues, school discipline, education advocacy, disability rights, or civil rights law;
• Experience working with children or families, preferably direct representation;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
• Strong leadership skills;
• Outstanding oral and written advocacy skills and research and analytical skills;
• Organizational skills, initiative, flexibility, and experience working with a diverse team;
• Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish, is preferred.
Please e-mail a cover letter, a resume, a writing sample (at most, lightly edited by others), and contact information for three references to [email protected] with “School Justice Project Staff Attorney” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. Candidates should highlight any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations that AFC serves. Only candidates scheduled for interviews will be contacted. We are seeking to fill this position quickly. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.