AmeriCorps Holistic Advocate Missouri State Public Defender

Missouri State Public Defender; Sedalia (MO); On-site; USD 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance

Education award (Segal AmeriCorps)

Student loan deferment

Scholarships and waivers

Job summary

Missouri State Public Defender seeks a Holistic Advocate to grow the Holistic Defense Services Program across Missouri. You will connect clients to essential resources and work with attorneys to share their stories in court, aiming to reduce jail time and increase community stability.

The role emphasizes compassionate engagement with diverse clients, collaboration with local service providers, and data-driven evaluation of program impact across multiple communities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• A specialization in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field will be favored.
• Empathetic, resourceful, non-judgmental, organized, and a passion for public service.
• Strong writing and advocacy skills are beneficial for this role.

Responsibilities

• Connect clients to housing, mental health care, substance use treatment, and transportation.
• Help clients obtain IDs and health insurance to reduce barriers.
• Conduct in-depth interviews to share clients' holistic stories.
• Engage with family and community to collect letters of support that amplify clients' voices.
• Build relationships with community partners to ensure access to needed support.
• Collaborate with attorneys to present clients' stories in cases.
• Assist in collecting data to track impact of holistic work.

Skills

Empathetic

Resourceful

Non-judgmental

Organized

Strong writing

Advocacy

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Social work/psychology/sociology background favored

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM: SEEKING MSPD AMERICORPS HOLISTIC ADVOCATE

Do you want to help make a difference in the lives of people involved in the criminal legal system? The Missouri State Public Defender's Holistic Defense Services Program has teamed up with AmeriCorps Missouri to pioneer a groundbreaking holistic approach to public defense. This approach tackles the root causes of our clients' involvement in the criminal legal system and helps to break the cycle of criminalization.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will play a vital role in growing MSPD's Holistic Defense Services Program, helping to shape the future of Missouri's criminal legal system. Your dedication and passion will drive the transformation of a system that values compassion, fairness, and the inherent worth of every individual. Holistic Advocates will step into Missouri communities and engage with local service providers to connect clients to essential resources and services - which can help us get clients out of jail and back to their families and communities. Advocates will also collaborate closely with attorneys to help share their clients' meaningful and powerful stories in their cases.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will join us in the fight for justice by:

• Connecting clients to a wide range of vital resources, from housing and mental health care to substance use treatment and transportation.
• Helping clients obtain essential documents and services, like IDs and health insurance, to help eliminate barriers and create more stability.
• Uncovering the untold stories of clients through in-depth interviews, delving into their backgrounds to provide a holistic perspective that truly represents their journey.
• Rallying support from their loved ones and community by engaging with family, friends, and support systems, while collecting impactful letters of support that amplify our clients' voices.
• Building relationships with community partners to break down barriers and ensure that clients have access to the support that they need.
• Embracing data-driven impact by collecting and analyzing valuable data to track the transformative effects of our work, paving the way for evidence-based change.

Holistic Advocates will join a passionate team that thrives on collaboration, as you work closely with attorneys, clients, and support staff in your local trial office. Plus, Advocates will gain invaluable guidance and extensive training from our regional and statewide Holistic Defense Services team.

Required Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. A specialization in social work, psychology, sociology, or closely related field will be favored.

Qualified candidates will be empathetic, resourceful, non-judgmental, organized, and will have a passion for public service. Candidates must have the ability to build rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities. Strong writing and advocacy skills will also be beneficial for this role.

Service Period

As part of the 2026-2027 AmeriCorps program, these positions are designed to span from 2026-8/31/27, with the possibility of re-enrolling for a second service-term. We are seeking candidates interested in serving full-time, but less than full-time opportunities may be available.

Living Stipend/Benefits

• Three quarter-time members will receive a living allowance starting at $28,560, for the full years' service. Upon successful completion of their service, members are eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps education award of roughly $5,176.50.
• All members are eligible for student loan deferment and interest forbearance.
• Many universities offer scholarships, application fee waivers, and other benefits to AmeriCorps members. You can find school-specific details on the Schools of National Service list.

Potential Placement Locations

MSPD has 33 trial offices across the state. The placement of the Holistic Advocate is flexible, and preferences will be discussed during interviews. MSPD is especially interested in placing Holistic Advocates in rural offices. Primarily seeking Moberly, Fulton, Rolla, Kirksville, Farmington, Portageville, Monette, and Carthage. Other locations across the state may be possible upon discussion.