Staff Attorney, Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids - Fitchburg

The Opportunity

Health Law Advocates (HLA) is a nonprofit public interest law firm that provides free legal services to Massachusetts residents with low income who face barriers to accessing health care. Learn more about us at .

HLA's Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids (MHAP for Kids) improves the health and increases the educational success of children with unmet mental health needs. Experienced staff attorneys provide free legal representation to families with low income, advocating for access to mental health services and diverting children from the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Learn more about us at .

MHAP for Kids attorneys are embedded in Family Resource Centers (FRCs) around the state. We are seeking a highly qualified, motivated lawyer with knowledge of the juvenile court, mental health, and / or education systems to join the talented MHAP for Kids team as our staff attorney based in Fitchburg. The attorney will advocate for up to 30 youth at a time across the school, court, and mental health systems, to ensure that their mental health needs are met and their legal rights are protected.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary day-to-day responsibility of the position is to provide legal representation for youth with unmet mental health needs.

More specific activities include :

• Meeting with clients
• Conducting legal research and writing
• Analyzing education, medical, court, and other relevant records
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with staff of the host Family Resource Center
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with state agencies, such as DCF, DMH, DYS, as well as other stakeholders in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems
• Managing case files
• Promoting MHAP for Kids in the community
• Participating in program evaluation

Qualifications

All HLA employees are expected to have the skills to :

Requirement specific to this position include :

Other preferred qualifications :

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $74,000 - $85,000 annually. HLA offers a robust benefits package including comprehensive health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and a generous paid leave policy.

To Apply

Our standard process is for applications to be submitted online at where you will upload a resume and cover letter. If this process is not accessible to you, please contact or .

HLA is committed to diversity in its workforce. A crucial part of HLA's vision is supporting cultural and linguistic competence, as well as ensuring diversity of staff and volunteers, so we can best serve our clients. People of color, women, people living with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people who speak English as a second language are strongly encouraged to apply.