WHO WE ARE

The Charter County of Wayne is Michigan's largest county. We are home to 34 cities and nine townships. From Rockwood to Livonia, from Sumpter Township to the Grosse Pointes, each community in Wayne County offers residents and businesses a unique blend of opportunity to live, work, play and raise families. Headquartered in Detroit, our largest city and the automotive capital of the world, Wayne County offers a diversified economy and high standards for our residents' quality of life. Our history is rich and we take pride in being one of the most diverse communities that values culture, arts, and world-class amenities. Wayne County provides leadership that ensures the County operates efficiently, effectively, and responsibly. We provide transparently while building a stronger County inclusive of collaborations, innovation, and a clear focus on serving our residents.

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

Wayne County's Indigent Defense Services Department (IDSD) is developing a staff of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in criminal defense representation at the trial court level, and equal access to justice. IDSD launched in August of 2020 with the hiring of its Director. IDSD is state funded through a grant from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). IDSD's Defender Support Unit (DSU) launched in 2023 and assists managed assigned counsel by providing services aimed at decreasing reliance on incarceration, increasing advocacy for indigent clients, and improving collaboration between criminal justice stakeholders and social service providers.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Reporting to the Lead Advocate, the Defender Support Unit Advocate works collaboratively with managed assigned counsel to achieve improved social and legal outcomes for adults who have been charged with felonies in Wayne County. The Advocate will carry out the goals of the Defender Support Unit by reviewing requests for services, consulting with appointed counsel on cases, providing direct services to both in- and out-of-custody clients, conducting assessments, making referrals to available community resources, developing re-entry and treatment plans, and writing comprehensive mitigation reports to advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Educational Requirements

• Master's degree in social work or closely related field

Experience Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience working with adults impacted by the criminal/legal system or a similar population.
• Full or limited clinical social work licensure in the State of Michigan.

STRONGLY PREFER QUALIFICTIONS:

• Full and unrestricted clinical social work licensure in the State of Michigan.
• Specialized training as a sentencing advocate or mitigation specialist.
• Bilingual (Spanish or Arabic preferred).

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

As a collaborative member of the criminal defense team, and under direction of the assigned attorney on each case, the Advocate will:

• Complete all work in adherence to the client confidentiality standards as outlined in the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Conduct initial and ongoing consultative calls with attorneys to discuss service requests, determine agreed upon service plans and timelines, and identify ways the DSU can support goals of a case.
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments within local jails and community settings to determine how to best support the legal and social outcomes for the client and case.
• Utilize evidence-based screening tools to assess for mental and behavioral health conditions commonly found within criminal/legal system populations.
• Develop re-entry/release plans in collaboration with clients to advocate for pre-trial release or alternatives to incarceration and to document client progress toward goals.
• Identify resources and coordinate/facilitate referrals to community treatment and other providers.
• Monitor case progression and conduct regular check-ins with clients to encourage adherence to agreed upon re-entry/release plans and provide support.
• Prepare clients and family members for court appearances and provide court debriefings to reinforce next steps and ensure continuity of care with identified services/resources.
• Provide brief crisis intervention services to clients experiencing acute distress due to unfavorable or unexpected court decisions or due to other major life crises.
• Identify and interview family members, friends, members of client's support system, or other collateral witnesses to aid in the development of written mitigation or otherwise support the client.
• Request, review, and analyze records that may aid in the client's defense or in the development of written mitigation.
• Prepare persuasive written mitigation reports, based on a thorough review of assessment outcomes, interviews, records, and incorporation of relevant peer-reviewed research, to be used during plea negotiations and/or sentencing to recommend and advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration.
• Develop genograms, ecomaps, and other demonstrative exhibits to supplement mitigation reports.
• Accompany clients to court and participate in hearings as requested by the defense attorney.
• Thoroughly document all activities on a case by entering data into the Department's case management system and completing all other documentation as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.