Our Programs : The Clubhouse Family Legal Support Project

Originally a two-year project funded jointly by the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and the National Association of Public Interest Law, and co-led by Employment Options and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, the Clubhouse Family Legal Support Project (CFLSP) provides legal support to Clubhouse parents who are mentally ill. The project is now funded through grants from the Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts Bar Foundation, and the Boston Bar Foundation.

Studies have shown that a critical factor in the recovery process for a parent living with mental illness is contact with his/her children. In most cases, Clubhouse parents have only limited visitation rights and several have lost all contact with their children. In light of this fact, Employment Options' goal for the CFLSP is to aid Clubhouse parents in obtaining visitation orders and increased visitation time as well as regaining custody of their children. The program is designed to provide necessary representation and advocacy for parents with mental illness.

• Learn more about how CFLSP helps parents

• CFLSP in the news

We are looking for dedicated interns to aid us in this program. Interns will work under the supervision of the CFLSP attorney assisting in advocating for the Program's clients. Students will have an opportunity to manage clients cases and participate in the following activities: engage in outreach at clubhouses, handle intake on various client matters, observe/conduct client interviews, conduct legal research, prepare various court documents, and shadow the CFLSP attorney at court hearings.  To learn more about the program/internship, please email knemens@mhlac.org or call 617-338-2345.

If you are a member or a staff person of an area clubhouse and would like assistance with a family law matter, please contact:

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