Volunteer / Intern
What does a JOA do?
The Juvenile Offender Advocate (JOA) is an Officer of the Court. JOAs are appointed by the Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court to serve as independent, volunteers who advocate for juvenile offenders involved in court proceedings. The main purpose is to reduce recidivism and poverty level in Athens-Clarke. The JOA will advocate for the juvenile offenders best interest with all involved agencies to ensure fair sentencing, resources needed to improve their quality of life according to the JOA guidelines and standards. Upon completion of the court process, each JOA will continue case management which will include short term/long term goals for the juvenile offender. Assist with soft skills training, job readiness training, anger management, and job placement through community collaboration.
I want to become a JOA!
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Qualifications:
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Committed to the future of juveniles. Have a flexible schedule. Able to commit to the program for a minimum of six months to a year or until court, proceedings are complete.
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Requirements:
• Genuinely care for the well-being of the juvenile offender
• 21 years of age
• Complete application, interview, and a brief autobiography
• Criminal background check
• Complete 5 hours of training
• Good verbal communication skills
• Open-minded
• Accommodating to attend court hearings
• Be sworn in by a judge
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Training:
Training will consist of 5 hours. Training for JOA will be held quarterly for new JOAs. After the required 5 hours of training, each JOA will be sworn in by the juvenile court judge. At the swearing-in ceremony, each JOA will receive an identification card and a JOA pen. Each JOA is required to carry their identification card when visiting juvenile offenders at school, home, and during court proceedings. You will not be able to receive any court documents without your identification card.
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JOA training will consist of 5 hours of education on the current juvenile court procedures, confidentiality, HIPAA, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Family and Children Services and Court Appointed Special Advocate.
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Next Step:
Download and complete the volunteer application (Click this link)
Email the completed application to
Info@juvenileoffenderadvocateinc.org or
mail to PO Box 81312 Athens, Georgia 30608
Contact us at (706)247-2024 to set
up an interview.
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JOA Interns!
We welcome interns into our organization. As a JOA Intern, you will take part in JOA training, learn the ins and outs of nonprofit management, work directly with volunteer staff, get an introduction to the juvenile and state court system and most importantly learn
about teen advocacy.
If you are interested in JOA internship, please send resume and cover letter to Info@juvenileoffenderadvocateinc.org
We Need Your Support Today!