USU Community Justice Advocate Program Receives Grant to Expand Services

LOGAN — Utah State University’s Transforming Communities Institute (TCI) has been awarded a grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation (ACBF) to expand its Community Justice Advocate (CJA) training program, which aims to help Utahns navigate debt-related legal and financial challenges.

The ACBF award will fund compensation for student interns who assist with training development, partnership coordination, and evaluation research. The grant also supports a Master of Social Work student providing direct CJA services through a practicum placement with Nonprofit Legal Services of Utah (NLSU), as well as a portion of the annual subscription and technical assistance costs for TCI’s case management system to track client outcomes and service impact.

Launched in summer 2025, the CJA training program addresses what many consider a critical access-to-justice gap by equipping advocates to support people who are often working multiple jobs, raising families and struggling to overcome poverty. CJAs help clients understand their rights and options, prepare legal forms, navigate court processes and negotiate with creditors under attorney supervision.

The program’s first cohort of 21 Community Justice Advocates recently completed a 10-week blended curriculum and is now providing supervised services statewide through human services agencies, nonprofit legal organizations, and court partnerships. In just a few months, CJAs have helped Utahns resolve more than 20 cases totaling over $117,000, with a median debt amount of $2,300.

Participants say the training has been both practical and transformative.

“The CJA program opened my eyes to the obstacles so many face [in] overcoming debt, and armed me with simple, yet powerful tools to empower them as they navigate otherwise intimidating financial and legal systems,” said Melaine Webster, an MSW student and community justice advocate. “The return on my small investment of time has far exceeded my expectations.”

Community partners report similar impacts. Shara Young, a volunteer with Nonprofit Legal Services of Utah, said the program has expanded the organization’s ability to serve people who otherwise might not receive help.

“This training has opened doors for us to help people who genuinely want to improve their situation but need guidance navigating a legal system that can feel overwhelming,” Young said. “Watching individuals come in burdened with worry and leave with real options, legal defenses, and renewed hope has been incredibly rewarding.”

She also emphasized the quality of the program’s training model, calling it “one of the most effective and empowering learning environments I have experienced.” “I’m grateful to be part of a program that prepares advocates to meet one of Utah’s most urgent community needs,” said Young.

TCI has established partnerships with organizations across Utah, including Rasa Legal, Clean Slate Utah, the Roy/Weber Justice Court and the Utah State Bar, to expand experiential learning opportunities for CJAs and increase referral pathways for clients. Program leadership is also engaged in statewide efforts to explore regulatory reform and long-term sustainability of community-based justice initiatives.

The CJA program is developed through TCI in collaboration with the Department of Social Work and other USU units, using a community-engaged approach that brings together faculty, students and partners to create practical solutions to complex social challenges.

Recruitment is now open for the next CJA cohort beginning in January 2025. More information about the program and application process is available on the Community Justice Advocate Program webpage. The College of Arts & Sciences is also hiring a faculty member to teach CJA courses, supervise advocates and expand the program into for-credit options for students.