CHILDREN’S REPRESENTATION PROGRAM (CRP)

1112 Quince St. SE

MS 41183

Olympia, WA 98504

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

FOR ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN

IN DEPENDENCY PROCEEDINGS IN

YAKIMA, KITTITAS, BENTON, FRANKLIN &

WALLA WALLA COUNTIES

Overview

The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent state judicial branch agency that, among other things, administers and oversees the state’s programs for appointed counsel to represent children and youth in dependency cases. OCLA’s Children’s Representation Program (CRP) underwrites and oversees the delivery of effective, standards-based, equity-informed representation for children and youth for whom attorneys are appointed under state law. The CRP is committed to fostering fundamental change in Washington State’s child welfare and juvenile court practices, which have historically and continue to cause disproportionate harm to BIPOC children and youth, as well as children and youth who have a range of learning and related disabilities; are victims of multiple and compounding traumas; and who lack a legal voice in the process.

The CRP is currently looking for exceptional attorneys with a passion for equity and justice for children and youth involved in the child welfare system to provide legal representation for children 8-17 in dependency proceedings; 0-17 in termination proceedings; and youth 18-21 participating in the extended foster care program in Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.

Compensation: Full-time contracts are compensated at $132,000-$144,000 annually based on experience. Part-time contracts are compensated as a percentage of a full-time contract. Case-by-case contracts may be available and are compensated on an hourly basis.

Support: CRP-contracted attorneys have access to funds for expert services as well as access to technical support from CRP staff. The CRP also coordinates and hosts a number of CLEs annually to ensure contractors can meet contractual training requirements.

Travel: Attorneys for children and youth are expected to have periodic in-person contact with their clients. Contractors are eligible for reimbursement for mileage, lodging, and incidental expenses incurred during the course of qualifying case-related travel.

If you are interested in becoming a contractor with OCLA for representation of children and youth in Yakima, Kittitas, Benton, Franklin, and/or Walla Walla counties, please follow the application procedures detailed below.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required:

• Licensed member in good standing of the Washington State Bar.
• Ability and willingness to meet OCLA’s Children’s Representation Program Standards for Attorney, including:

o Participation in OCLA’s case activity and outcome tracking requirements and use of OCLA’s Case Activity, Reporting and Oversight System (CAROS).

o Participation in eight (8) hours of child welfare-related trainings and CLEs on an annual basis, including one (1) hour of training related specifically to issues of equity in the child welfare system

o Maintaining professional liability insurance

o Submitting to semi-annual reviews by CRP staff as part of the CRP’s oversight function

o Engaging in regular consultation with CRP Program Counsel on issues relating to the provision of contracted legal representation

• Familiarity with RCW 13.34 and other statutes, court rules, and procedures pertaining to dependency, extended foster care, and termination proceedings.
• Commitment to providing standards-based, culturally sensitive, and equity-informed representation to children and youth
• Ability to employ effective, trauma-informed communication with children and youth consistent with their developmental ability to understand
• Commitment to investigating and raising issues relating to racial inequities and systemic biases that are prejudicial to the child or youth, in consultation with the child or youth
• Be or become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or petition for a religious or medical exemption

For new attorneys or attorneys with limited experience representing children in dependencies, the following conditions are required in addition to those listed above:

• Willingness to actively participate in regional Communities of Practice and engage with designated CRP Attorney Mentors
• Participate in OCLA-provided orientation trainings

Application Procedure

Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. To apply, please email the following information to crp@ocla.wa.gov with the county or counties of interest in the subject line:

• Letter of interest which includes your qualifications, caseload capacity, and county or counties of interest;
• Resume; and
• Three professional references

OCLA reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and/or to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. The request for qualifications does not obligate the State of Washington or OCLA to contract for the services specified.