After last year’s successful launch of the We Care program for professionals in civil legal services, the Foundation is returning the popular program for 2024.
We Care is a professional development opportunity designed to help attorneys and staff navigate the stressors of work demands, process common experiences, discuss mental health concerns, and access further care if needed.
Of the 100 professionals who participated in the inaugural We Care in 2023, 94 percent of survey respondents rated the We Care program as “excellent” or “very good,” and 100 percent said they would recommend it to a colleague. These results and recognition at industry conferences and in national publications have positioned We Care as the model to grow and replicate.
“The response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Camille Gill, the Foundation’s programs and grants counsel. “There is a lot of demand from our grantees to continue We Care, as well as interest from other states that are excited to build similar programs.”
To assist with We Care’s implementation, the Foundation contracts with Matrix, which specializes in employee assistance and other large-scale mental health supports for workplaces. Last year, the Foundation and Matrix opened We Care to participants across Ohio and assigned each person to a cohort based on their position at legal aid. The cohorts, led by a licensed professional from Matrix, met once a month for six months and covered topics like leadership, burnout, work/life balance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The 2024 We Care program will follow the same structure. Registration opened on January 8, and spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested participants should sign up directly with Matrix and are strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible.
“We appreciate the crucial work our civil legal service providers are doing to support access to justice for low-income Ohioans,” Gill said. “We’re excited to offer another round of this professional development opportunity, and we look forward to supporting attorneys and staff again through We Care.”
For more information about We Care, contact Camille Gill