Job posted by:
Urban Justice Center - Mental Health Project
The
Mental Health Project of the Urban Justice Center (MHP) seeks an
advocate to advance the work of our criminal justice advocacy program.
The Criminal Justice Advocate will support our litigation efforts to
ensure that people receiving mental health treatment in New York City
jails are provided with appropriate discharge planning services before
they are released from custody and will also be actively involved in our
work to fight the criminalization of mental illness through legislative
advocacy and community education.
MHP aims to break the cycle of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration for low-income New Yorkers with mental illness. Through the class action lawsuit, Brad H. v. City of New York, MHP challenged New York City's practice of discharging incarcerated people with mental illness from the Rikers Island in the middle of the night with only a $3 Metrocard and $1.50 in cash and without any psychiatric medication or referral to services. This lawsuit established a right to discharge planning for people who receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in a City jail. In 2003 the lawsuit was settled, and the City agreed to provide class members with medication, aftercare, benefits, housing, and transportation.
The Criminal Justice Advocate will:
The Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status.
MHP aims to break the cycle of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration for low-income New Yorkers with mental illness. Through the class action lawsuit, Brad H. v. City of New York, MHP challenged New York City's practice of discharging incarcerated people with mental illness from the Rikers Island in the middle of the night with only a $3 Metrocard and $1.50 in cash and without any psychiatric medication or referral to services. This lawsuit established a right to discharge planning for people who receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in a City jail. In 2003 the lawsuit was settled, and the City agreed to provide class members with medication, aftercare, benefits, housing, and transportation.
The Criminal Justice Advocate will:
- Assist in monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Brad H. settlement;
- Visit NYC jails regularly to interview people receiving mental health treatment about their discharge planning needs and whether those needs are being met;
- Submit written complaints to the City regarding class members' discharge planning needs;
- Follow up with individuals released from jail to determine whether they received appropriate discharge planning services;
- Respond to calls and letters from people in jail and prison, their families, and others regarding discharge planning issues and advocate for individuals to enforce their rights to discharge planning services;
- Exercise discretion and independent judgment with regard to client matters;
- Conduct trainings on the criminal justice system and the rights of Brad H. class members;
- Assist MHP's Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy; and
- Perform administrative and clerical duties as appropriate.
- Enjoy working directly with clients and families;
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Be extremely detail-oriented and organized;
- Be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Demonstrate a commitment to fighting for social justice;
- Have personal or professional experience with mental illness and/or the criminal justice system; and
- Speak Spanish fluently.
The Urban Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status, or marital status.
[Ed.-- Equal employment opportunities for all... unless you went to law school. Then we will not hire you under any circumstances.]
No comments:
Post a Comment