Wellness Advocate for Abuse Victims (Full-Time_

Shaheen and Gordon, P.A. is committed to enhancing the victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that we have been providing to our YDC clients through the addition of a skilled and trained wellness advocate. We represent approximately 150 individuals who were sexually and/or physically abused as minors during their time at the Youth Development Center (“YDC”). Our clients were committed to YDC from the 1960’s through 2024. Our clients’ ages, backgrounds, and current statuses vary widely. We continue to pursue civil justice for these clients exclusively via the YDC Settlement Fund, as opposed to court.

Claims in the YDC Settlement Fund are often resolved via an in-person “resolution proceeding” that is conducted by the Administrator at our law firm office in Concord, NH. That resolution proceeding occurs at the end of an approximate 12-month process, during which many claimants are retraumatized and their wellness negatively impacted in a variety of ways. The ideal candidate would primarily work out of our Dover office and travel to our Concord office for the handful of resolution proceedings we have per month. The statute for the YDC Settlement Fund states in part that the resolution proceeding “shall be conducted in a victim-centered, trauma-informed way, to the greatest extent possible.” The statute further states: “The claimant shall be entitled to the assistance of an advocate in connection with the resolution process who shall be allowed to accompany the claimant during any proceeding or meeting.”

We are committed to creating a safe and empathetic environment for our clients throughout the timeline of the YDC Settlement Fund claims process, and ensuring they receive the guidance and resources needed to navigate their journeys towards not just civil justice, but also healing and wellness.

Position Overview: We are seeking a compassionate and skilled wellness advocate to join our team, focusing on supporting clients who were sexually and/or physically abused as minors during their time at YDC. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, victim-centered approach, and the unique challenges faced by survivors, many of whom have never told anyone else about what they experienced. This role is crucial in bridging the gap between legal advocacy and emotional support.

To be clear, there are other responsibilities for this position that extend beyond emotional support and serving as a wellness advocate. They are listed in more detail below, but generally include YDC-related clerical and administrative functions such as requesting documents, reviewing documents, preparing forms and documents, and maintaining paper and electronic files.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide emotional support to clients via in person and virtual meetings, and/or phone throughout the timeline of the claims process, from intake through final resolution of the claim;
• Assist clients with connecting to community resources by developing relationships with crisis centers and other mental health services and making referrals;
• Collaborate closely with attorneys to ensure a holistic approach to case management;
• Serve as one of the initial points of contact with potential new clients, including scheduling the initial intake;
• Participate in the initial intakes with the attorneys and potential clients, in part to develop a rapport at the outset;
• Request and review documents, which primarily includes the “resident file” for each claimant;
• Participate in the resolution proceeding at our law firm office in Concord, NH. Related responsibilities include communicating with clients before and after their resolution proceedings with a focus on client wellness;
• Maintain accurate and confidential client files (paper and electronic) in compliance with legal and ethical standards;
• Stay informed on current research and best practices related to trauma-informed care and sexual abuse advocacy.

Qualifications:

• We welcome applicants from a variety of different backgrounds.
• Degree in Social Work (BSW or MSW) from an accredited institution, with a minimum of 1 year of experience.
• If your degree is in psychology or criminal justice or something less specialized than social work, relevant experience should be more than one year and clearly outlined.
• Experience working with survivors of sexual abuse or trauma, preferably in a legal context.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a compassionate and non-judgmental approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to social justice and advocacy for marginalized populations.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of community resources and referral networks.
• Trauma-informed, victim-centered approach to client interaction.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• Supportive work environment focused on client care and social justice.

How to Apply: Shaheen & Gordon is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws in all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, transfer, promotion, discipline, compensation, termination, and layoff.