Staff Attorney, Court-Involved Youth - School Justice Project

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.  

AFC grounds our work in our organization’s values:  

• Family-Centered: We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support.  

• Expertise: We ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve. 

• Passion: We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families. 

• Community: We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals. 

• Justice: We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights. 

• Impact: We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.  

For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

Job Summary

Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks a dedicated attorney to join the School Justice Project to provide direct representation, outreach, community education, and policy advocacy, to ensure that youth involved in the juvenile and/or criminal legal system have meaningful access to appropriate educational services during an unparalleled time of difficulty for them and their families. Given the evolving implementation of policies and programs for court-involved youth, the need for education advocacy by an attorney versed in the juvenile and/or criminal legal system is critical.  This position will report to the Director of the School Justice Project.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Direct Representation

• Represent youth involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the juvenile or criminal legal system and facing school-related challenges, including suspensions, school policing, pushout, lack of supports, inappropriate placements, or unmet special education needs.
• Advise families on their education rights in both community schools and correctional facilities.
• Facilitate referrals for evaluations and participate in school meetings.
• Advocate with schools, DOE administrators, ACS, DOC, and judges in Family, Criminal, and Supreme Courts.
• Collaborate with defense attorneys, alternatives-to-incarceration providers, and other professionals.
• Identify appropriate school placements and services.
• Represent families at IEP meetings, suspension hearings, Manifestation Determination Reviews, and special education hearings and appeals.

Outreach and Training

• Conduct outreach to professionals working with court-involved youth (e.g., alternatives-to-incarceration and detention providers, Close to Home providers, and court staff).
• Develop materials and provide trainings, resources, and technical assistance to build capacity around education-related advocacy.
• Create and deliver know-your-rights trainings and materials for students and families.

Policy Advocacy

• Use insights from direct representation and trainings to drive systemic reform.
• Draft letters, reports, and public comments on education issues affecting court-involved youth.
• Participate in city and s