School Discipline Advocacy Program (Full Time)

Massachusetts' leading organization advocating for health care justice is hiring School Discipline Advocate for the Spring of 2025.

About HLA

Health Law Advocates (HLA) is a 501(c)(3) public interest law firm whose mission is to provide pro bono legal representation to residents in low-income situations experiencing difficulty accessing or paying for needed medical services. HLA is committed to ensuring universal access to quality health care in Massachusetts, particularly for those who are most at risk due to such factors as race, gender, disability, age, or geographic location. With its partner organization, Health Care For All, HLA combines legal expertise with grassroots organizing and policy reform to advance the statewide movement for universal health care access.

About MHAP for Kids

The Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids is an initiative of Health Law Advocates. MHAP for Kids attorneys provide free representation for income eligible parents and guardians statewide whose children have unmet mental health needs. MHAP for Kids attorneys assist with the following legal issues:

• Begin or improve special education services.
• Represent families in school discipline matters.
• Secure and/or coordinate community-based mental health services.
• Collaborate with Dept. of Children and Families, Dept. of Mental Health, and Dept. of Developmental Services.
• Advocate for general education accommodations.
• Assist with health insurance coverage.

Learn more about HLA at https://www.healthlawadvocates.org/.

The Opportunity

HLA's Program

This internship program at the Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids deals specifically with school discipline issues and furthers the organization's goal of curbing the "school-to-prison pipeline" that disproportionately imposes inappropriate punishment instead of providing needed mental health services for students with mental health disabilities and students of color. This internship advances this goal by increasing MHAP for Kids' capacity to represent parents/guardians at school discipline proceedings and increases HLA's/MHAP for Kids' capacity to foster a new generation of attorneys committed to practicing public interest and health equity law.

During the first two weeks of the internship period, the intern will receive training and instruction on the relevant statutes, regulations, practices, and strategies pertaining to school discipline. Staff Attorney will provide these trainings which will cover special education, community behavioral health initiatives, juvenile courts, among other topics. The intern will have the opportunity to observe staff attorneys in disciplinary hearings prior to representing a client at a hearing. In addition, a mock hearing can be made available to practice skills prior to a hearing.

Once a parent/guardian becomes a participant in the School Discipline Advocacy Program, the intern, under the Intern Coordinator's supervision, will conduct an in-person or virtual interview with the parent to collect information, obtain releases and obtain records that the parent/guardian may already have in their possession. The intern will then conduct an investigation by obtaining relevant records, speaking with collaterals working with the family and research relevant laws and regulations. Once an investigation is completed, the intern will ensure that the parent/guardian reviews and signs a limited representation agreement. The intern, under the supervision of the Intern Coordinator, will then attend the disciplinary proceedings, manifestation determination meeting, and/or superintendent's appeal and advocate on behalf of the student.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, researching legal questions related to the cradle-to-prison pipeline and disproportionality in school discipline, and collaborating with the School Discipline Advocacy Fellow developing outreach materials and contacts.

Qualifications

All HLA employees/interns are expected to have the skills to:

• Work both independently and as an effective team member
• Collaborate with and support staff at all levels of our organization
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity while working directly with clients encountering crises
• Maintain confidentiality and, for attorneys, strict adherence to all professional responsibility requirements for the practice of law
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and openness, with the desire and ability to listen and learn
• Understand and believe in the mission of the organization
• Embody the values of the organization, including a commitment to decreasing inequity in our health care system and society as a whole

Additional qualifications specific to this position are:

• Enrolled in or graduated from law school
• Demonstrated interest in public interest law
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Interest in mental health/education access and passion for alleviating barriers to care.
• Multilingual ability is strongly preferred, but not required

Compensation

This position pays $600 per week (pre-tax) for a full-time 35 hours.

To Apply

Our standard process is for applications to be submitted online at: https://hlainc.efficientapply.com/jobs/ where you will upload a resume and cover letter. A cover letter is required.

If this process is not accessible to you, please contact hr@hla-inc.org or 617-701-7349

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

HLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all identities with regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, veteran status, and many other factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive work environment where all team members are encouraged to be their authentic and whole selves.