Intake Client Support Specialist - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Title:

Intake Client Support Specialist (The LCLC/The Bail Project Partnership)

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Program Director

Location:

LCLC (1530 S. Hamlin Ave., Chicago)

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community-based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale, Austin, East Garfield Park, and Little Village. LCLC started in North Lawndale where it is still headquartered today. In summer 2021, LCLC expanded its service area by co-locating holistic legal services with BUILD in Austin, Breakthrough in East Garfield Park, and New Life Centers in Little Village. At all four sites, LCLC’s highly relational, innovative community-led model of justice is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, circle-keepers, and community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the legal and social needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, and parole. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration when we scale our model across Cook County and the nation. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing.

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

LCLC’s Intake Client Support Specialist is passionate about working closely with individuals who are involved in the criminal legal system. This position plays a key role in supporting the partnership with LCLC and The Bail Project’s Cook County Community Release with Support (CRwS) pilot project. The Intake CSS acts as the first point of contact for potential clients and must have strong interpersonal skills to engage, motivate, and recruit clients to participate in the CRwS program. The Intake CSS conducts intake assessments with individuals prior to or soon after their appearance in bond court and capturing necessary information pertaining to demographics, contacts, and voluntary support needs. The Intake CSS will work closely with Data Administrators to ensure that information gained at bond court is recorded in the appropriate databases for the Community CSS team. Intake CSS will also work closely with LCLC staff—legal, social, and outreach—and external stakeholders, including BUILD, Breakthrough, and New Life Centers. The Intake CSS will also make community referrals for individuals needing bail assistance.

Responsibilities

Conduct Holistic Intake with potential clients prior to or soon after their appearance in bond court, document their needs and contacts to inform their support plan and mitigation strategies.
Engage with clients, LCLC staff, and community partners at Cook County Jail and communities throughout Chicago.
Ensure Release of Information (ROI’s) and other forms of authorizations are obtained.
Maintain accurate client records and work with Data Administrators to upload intake (Leads) data into Salesforce within 24 hours.
Collaborate with defense counsel and Community CSS to develop a Support Plan and coordinate services that would help client to reduce further involvement with the justice system.
Complete referrals to partner organizations when clients need bail assistance.
Review weekly Salesforce reports to identify data gaps and make improvements as needed.
Maintain westside pilot focus to identify clients residing in Austin, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Little Village. Clients outside of these areas will be assessed only as needed to reach 6,000 intakes over the twenty-month period of this pilot program.
Attend and participate in regular team meetings.
Gather information from Circuit Court Clerk docket and re-arrest information as needed.
Complete court and other reports as required by Program Director and LCLC.
Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders and other organizations including pretrial services, probation, parole, support service partners, etc.
Cross-train and, when needed, fill in for other project roles.
Attend all trainings as required for agency and professional development.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Invested in learning the local community, building relationships with community, and demonstrates an interest in racial and social justice and/or criminal legal reform.
Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse staff, clients, and community.
Applies effective interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills to prospective partners and maintains strong relationships with external stakeholders and LCLC team members.
Takes responsibility for results, is self-reflective and seeks out and considers feedback.
Demonstrates knowledge of using computers and navigating software programs, with experience in Salesforce, G suite, and Microsoft Excel a plus.
Experience with entering client data and has skills in basic data analysis (or a willingness to learn).
Committed to completing daily work in an accurate, timely, and consistent manner.
Generates alternative solutions to address client needs and work challenges.
Comfortable implementing organizational procedures and making effective and timely decisions.
Passion for, understanding of, and commitment to LCLC’s vision and mission.
Willingness to live in Austin, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Little Village preferred.
Residents from Austin, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Little Village, minorities, and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system encouraged to apply.
Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
Current driver’s license, insurance, and reliable access to a vehicle.

Application

Please click here to apply for the position of Housing Coordinator with LCLC. If you have any questions, please email us at email us at lclc-recruitment-team@lclc.net. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.

North Lawndale, Austin, East Garfield Park, and Little Village residents, minorities, and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system encouraged to apply.