Systems Navigator Pilot

In summer 2024, researchers at Stanford University collaborated with the Santa Clara County Public Defender (PDO) to pilot an innovative “Systems Navigator” program developed by Professor Matthew Clair. Systems Navigators (SNs) are nonlawyer advocates in a public defender’s office who work with clients pretrial to assist them in abiding by pretrial conditions, accessing services in the community (e.g., housing, healthcare, employment, education), and engaging productively with their lawyer as they prepare for their legal defense.

During the summer 2024 pilot at the San Jose Hall of Justice, three Stanford students worked as SNs, assisting over 70 clients. As the SNs traveled throughout the Bay Area to support their clients, they were observed and assisted by a broader research team, which included Professor Clair and seven student researchers. The research team included two formerly incarcerated people and several people fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish and Vietnamese. The research team’s diversity proved invaluable in supporting the PDO’s clients.

The Systems Navigator pilot program—and ongoing evaluation of its efficacy—is supported by: the Racial Democracy Criminal Justice Network (RDCJN)/Arnold Foundation Improving Fairness and Justice in Community Supervision Small Grants Program (University of Maryland) and the UPS Endowment Fund (Stanford University). Sarah McCarthy, Gilda Valeros, and Damon Silver at the PDO were instrumental in the design of the program. We also appreciated the support of the Reentry Resource Center, especially Brian Evans and Victor Macias.