News  Salem District Probation staff celebrate Paralegal Assistant Training (PLAT) interns

Above: Salem District Probation Office Manager Eunice M. Sanchez and student Genevieve Roger

Salem District Probation staff celebrated the high school graduation of three students—Genevieve Rogers, Gabriel Ruiz, and Trent McKinnon—who served as interns in the court’s Paralegal Assistant Training (PLAT) Autism Higher Education Program. Ms. Rogers, Mr. Ruiz, and Mr. McKinnon are 2024 graduates of Marblehead High School.

The Paralegal Assistant Training (PLAT) Program was launched by the Autism Higher Education Foundation in collaboration with Chief Justice Angela Ordonez of the Massachusetts Probate & Family Courts, law firms and related business partners.

“We were honored to have been asked to participate in the PLAT program. I saw quiet students who would barely make eye contact become confident young men and women engaging in full blown conversations. I miss them already and look forward to the opportunity to work with and learn with the next interns,” said Salem District Court Chief Probation Officer Sonia Archer. “I thank all of my staff, Justice Randy Chapman, the district court clerk’s office, court officers, the Superior court Probation Department and Clerk’s office for the attention and time they gave to our interns.”

“It was great to see our students flourish as they took on new tasks. They also motivated each other and brightened everyone’s day as they greeted and helped assist the public. They performed a range of duties that included answering phones, going into court, bringing files to court, filing, shredding, collating and stapling forms, labeling, and organization,” said Salem District Probation Office Manager Eunice Sanchez.

Ms. Sanchez added, “During their internship they all displayed enthusiasm, self-motivation, self-discipline, and good communication. They were also eager to learn and gain experience that will help prepare them for adulthood, life, and overcoming challenges. We wish them all the best this world can offer. “

Information about the PLAT Program featured on the website:

The focus of the PLAT program is on the cohort of students on the Autism Spectrum and with related disabilities, who are unable to pass MCAS and receive a high school diploma.

In partnership with a growing number of high schools in the Commonwealth, the PLAT program provides selected students with paralegal assistant vocational training in participating courts and subsequently targets placement in paid part-time employment in law firms and other business community partners.

Skills such as shredding, scanning, copying, filing, organization and document management, redaction, data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, billing, and book-keeping are tasks students start learning as early as age fourteen.

School districts provide one-on-one support and always accompany the student in the courts to ensure accuracy and completion of assigned tasks.