Candace Chang Email & Phone Number

• Mitigation Specialist with 22 years of social service/mitigation experience and 16 years of supervisory experience. Hired, trained, scheduled, and directed graduate and undergraduate level interns in managing client needs through all legal phases. Encouraged interns to respond to identified unit needs, resulting in the creation of resource manuals, statewide maps of juvenile facilities, and assistance during training sessions and conferences. • Created and executed several training programs presented across the state of Pennsylvania with the Juvenile Defenders Association of Pennsylvania.• Co-chaired NASAMS 20th Anniversary Conference, titled “Affirming the Past, Embracing the Present, Envisioning the Future”, in Baltimore, MD.• Accomplished in working with diverse and indigent populations, to include victims of abuse, those struggling with mental health disorders, intellectual disabilities, neurological and congenital conditions, drug and alcohol addiction, juveniles and adults during capital and non-capital pre-trial, negotiation, and sentencing phases.• Familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) and how mental health diagnoses are applied and treated within adult and juvenile treatment facilities, community-based organizations, as well as how treatment is approved through in and out-of-county funding sources. • Practiced in acquiring mitigating evidence as it relates to client history and effectively using it in both written reports for, and testimony in, the courtroom.• A resilient leader with an ability to clearly define and articulate the value of defense mitigation; outstanding success in developing strong client bonds and in creating a high-trust culture that empowers clients and fosters a strong team environment; results oriented, high integrity individual with a passion for excellence. • Instrumental in the discovery of abuse and neglect at two juvenile facilities, provided documentation and testified on clients’ behalves.

Listed skills include Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, Trials, Social Services, and 18 others.

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  Mitigation Specialist--Homicide/Special Defense Unit

  Defender Association Of Philadelphia

  2011 - Present - Philadelphia, Pa