To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Nathaniel C. Perry, III, Chief Public Defender
title
RE: Create one Social Work intern and one Law Student Intern for the Michigan Holistic Defense Fellowship Program
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve request to create one social work intern and one law student intern for the Michigan Holistic Defense Fellowship Program; both positions are fully grant funded
BACKGROUND:
Wayne State University Law School and the School of Social Work recently developed a unique, statewide Holistic Defense Fellowship in collaboration with the Michigan Justice Fund and Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC). This Fellowship will offer the opportunity for law and social work students to spend a summer interning at a public defense office in Michigan. Public defense offices are selected to participate in the Program based on their dedication and ability to practice holistic defense. Holistic defense is a multi-faceted approach to legal representation that recognizes the social and legal challenges that can drive individuals into the criminal justice system and the collateral consequences that inevitably result from involvement with the system. Genesee County has the honor of being one of five placement sites selected for the initial launch this summer 2024.
DISCUSSION:
To participate in the Holistic Defense Fellowship, Genesee County will need to create one Law Student Intern position and one Social Work Intern position. The Fellowship Director, a member of the MIDC staff, handles the application and screening process, as well as oversees program processes and evaluation. During the Fellowship, under the supervision of attorneys and social workers from the placement site, students will engage in substantive work and contribute to the holistic missions of the public defender office. Per the Fellowship program standards, interns must be provided compensation by the field placement site for a mi...
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