Join MSPD as an AmeriCorps Holistic Advocate

Do you want to help make a difference in the lives of people involved in the criminal legal system? The Missouri State Public Defender’s Holistic Defense Services Program has teamed up with AmeriCorps Missouri to pioneer a groundbreaking holistic approach to public defense. This approach tackles the root causes of our clients’ involvement in the criminal legal system and helps to break the cycle of criminalization.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will play a vital role in growing MSPD’s Holistic Defense Services Program, helping to shape the future of Missouri’s criminal legal system. Your dedication and passion will drive the transformation of a system that values compassion, fairness, and the inherent worth of every individual.

Holistic Advocates will step into Missouri communities and engage with local service providers to connect clients to essential resources and services — which can help us get clients out of jail and back to their families and communities. Advocates will also collaborate closely with attorneys to help share their clients’ meaningful and powerful stories in their cases, connect clients to resources, and provide peer support services, if applicable.

As a Holistic Advocate, you will join us in the fight for justice by:

  • Connecting clients to a wide range of vital resources, from housing and mental health care to substance use treatment and transportation.
  • Helping clients obtain essential documents and services, like IDs and health insurance, to help eliminate barriers and create more stability.
  • Uncovering the untold stories of clients through in-depth interviews, delving into their backgrounds to provide a holistic perspective that truly represents their journey.
  • Crafting compelling memos that weave together the narratives of our clients, showcasing their unique experiences and circumstances.
  • Rallying support from their loved ones and community by engaging with family, friends, and support systems, while collecting impactful letters of support that amplify our clients’ voices.
  • Building relationships with community partners to break down barriers and ensure that clients have access to the support that they need.
  • Embracing data-driven impact by collecting and analyzing valuable data to track the transformative effects of our work, paving the way for evidence-based change.

Holistic Advocates will join a passionate team that thrives on collaboration, as you work closely with attorneys, clients, and support staff in your local trial office. Plus, Advocates will gain invaluable guidance and extensive training from our regional and statewide Holistic Defense Services team.

Required Minimum Education and Experience

High school diploma required. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. A specialization in social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field will be favored.

Qualified candidates will be empathetic, resourceful, non-judgmental, organized, and will have a passion for public service. Candidates must have an ability to build rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities. Strong writing and advocacy skills will also be beneficial for this role.

Service Period

All positions are contingent on the receipt of funding for the 2026–2027 grant year.

As part of the 2026–2027 AmeriCorps program, these positions are designed to span from 9/1/26–8/31/27, with the possibility of re-enrolling for a second service term.

Living Stipend and Benefits

Full-time AmeriCorps Holistic Advocates will be eligible for $2,916.66/month (before taxes) living allowance, paid in regular bi-monthly increments; a $7,395.00 education award upon successful completion of service; and professional development training, including support to gain peer specialist certification, if applicable.

For a more comprehensive look at AmeriCorps State benefits, visit the AmeriCorps website (opens in a new tab).

Many universities offer scholarships, application fee waivers, and other benefits to AmeriCorps volunteers. You can find school-specific details on the Schools of National Service list (opens in a new tab).

Potential Placement Locations

MSPD has 33 trial offices across the state of Missouri. Placement is possible throughout the state, including St. Joseph, Kansas City, Harrisonville, Nevada, Jackson, Monett, Bolivar, Chillicothe, Kirksville, Hannibal, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles, Troy, Lebanon, Ava, West Plains, Farmington, Portageville, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Other locations across the state may be possible upon discussion.

Are You Ready to Make an Impact? Apply Today!

If this exciting opportunity to help transform public defense and make a profound impact in the lives of Missourians sounds like a good fit, don’t wait to apply.

Submit your application on AmeriCorps.gov (opens in a new tab)

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The AmeriCorps A logo, the Holistic Defense Services logo featuring three overlapping color circles, and the ServMO AmeriCorps in Missouri logo displayed side by side

MSPD Holistic Defense Development VISTAs

AmeriCorps logo

Want to make a real impact while gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of law, social work, and public policy? Join the Missouri State Public Defender (MSPD) as a Holistic Defense Development VISTA and be a part of the transformative shift toward holistic public defense.

Many MSPD clients face criminal charges stemming from circumstances caused by poverty and unmet behavioral health needs. Once they enter the criminal legal system, these issues are only exacerbated. Holistic defense seeks to address these clients’ underlying needs beyond traditional legal representation, working to break the cycle of criminalization.

Although this is a great opportunity for those considering law school, no law degree is required — just a passion for social justice and a commitment to learning. The VISTAs’ primary goal will be to collaborate with attorneys, social workers, AmeriCorps Holistic Advocates, and MSPD leadership to build up the holistic practices at MSPD by increasing capacity to address client needs, improving the wellbeing and economic opportunity of clients, and winning better case outcomes.

VISTAs will develop skills in data collection and analysis, grant writing and reporting, communications and design, resource mapping, and developing community partnerships while building a network of professional contacts in the legal and advocacy fields.

Specifically, VISTA Volunteers Will:

  • Provide capacity-building support to enhance the Holistic Defense Services team of the Missouri State Public Defender.
  • Cultivate and refine relationships with community partners to reduce barriers and expand client access to needed services.
  • Collect and organize program data to track progress and demonstrate the impact of holistic defense initiatives.
  • Develop a grounded understanding of public defense and the systemic challenges faced by MSPD clients.
  • Create sustainable frameworks for growing grant funding, training, and recruiting opportunities.
  • Manage various capacity-building projects tailored to your skills and interests.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will be inquisitive, collaborative, resourceful, open-minded, effective at expressing complex concepts, and passionate about public service. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated interest in social work, the law, criminal justice, or psychology and have strong computer skills. A one-year commitment is required.

Service Period and Benefits

Volunteers will begin their service term in the summer of 2026. Full-time VISTA members will receive a living allowance of $24,894 for the duration of their service and a choice between an end-of-service stipend ($1,800) or an AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395).

For a more comprehensive look at AmeriCorps, visit the AmeriCorps Member website (opens in a new tab) to learn more. Many universities also offer scholarships, application fee waivers, and other benefits to AmeriCorps volunteers.

Potential Placement Locations

We are currently seeking VISTAs for the St. Louis and Kansas City, MO offices.

Two positions available starting 7/13/26:
Apply for the July 13 VISTA positions on AmeriCorps.gov (opens in a new tab)

Two positions available starting 8/10/26:
Apply for the August 10 VISTA positions on AmeriCorps.gov (opens in a new tab)

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.