2020 Technology Initiative Grant Recipients

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that it is awarding Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) to 24 legal services organizations totaling $3,941,298. The TIG program funds technology projects that provide greater access to high-quality legal assistance and information for low-income Americans.

Established in 2000, the program distributes grants annually to LSC-funded legal aid organizations around the country. Since its inception, LSC has made grants totaling nearly $70 million to fund more than 750 technology projects. Grant recipients have used this funding to create innovative ways to serve clients, strengthen program capacity and support the work of pro bono attorneys.

“LSC’s Technology Initiative Grants support projects that improve the delivery of legal services and information to people who would otherwise have to navigate the legal system alone,” said LSC President Ronald S. Flagg. “These projects use technology to leverage scarce human resources and increase access to justice for low-income individuals and families with critical legal needs.”

Many Members of Congress congratulated legal aid organizations in their districts for receiving TIG funding, including:

“Kansans who are struggling financially have a great advocate in Kansas Legal Services, and this grant will help low-income Kansans have greater access to information and resources to navigate complicated and challenging legal systems,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (KS), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

“As co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Access to Legal Aid Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am proud to learn the Indiana Legal Services received a $125,384 Technology Initiative Grant,” said Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-5). “We certainly have relied more heavily on technology during the pandemic. Unfortunately, Hoosiers’ legal issues have only gotten greater increasing the need for the Indiana Legal Help website, which will benefit Hoosiers as they search for answers to their legal problems.”

"I am thrilled that Legal Services of Alabama was awarded the Technology Initiative Grant that will allow them to expand access to their legal services throughout Alabama," said Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7). "Technology is vital in providing high quality legal counseling in today's world. Legal Services of Alabama plays a crucial role in providing free civil legal aid for Alabamians in need. This grant will provide critical resources to increase their outreach in helping low-income people resolve their legal problems."

Among the funded initiatives are several projects that will improve organizations’ online self-help resources. Other projects will bolster existing case management and online intake systems to allow legal services providers to more effectively serve clients. Several organizations will use TIG funding to create more intuitive, mobile-first websites.

The 2020 TIG projects are:

ALABAMA

Legal Services Alabama

CALIFORNIA

California Rural Legal Assistance

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

CONNECTICUT

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut

D.C.

Neighborhood Legal Services Program

FLORIDA

Bay Area Legal Services

Legal Services of Greater Miami

GEORGIA

Atlanta Legal Aid Society

ILLINOIS

Legal Aid Chicago

INDIANA

Indiana Legal Services

KANSAS

Kansas Legal Services

MAINE

Pine Tree Legal Assistance

MICHIGAN

Lakeshore Legal Aid

Michigan Advocacy Program

MONTANA

Montana Legal Services Association

OHIO

Ohio State Legal Services

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center

TENNESSEE

Memphis Area Legal Services

NEW YORK

Legal Assistance of Western New York

UTAH

Utah Legal Services

VIRGINIA

Legal Services of Northern Virginia

Virginia Legal Aid Society

WASHINGTON

Northwest Justice Project

WEST VIRGINIA

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Legal Services Alabama Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Legal Services Alabama will receive a $51,464 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization's use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Established in 2000, LSC’s TIG program supports legal aid organizations in developing and replicating technologies that improve efficiency and provide greater access to high-quality legal assistance.

Legal Services Alabama willuse the grant to create a comprehensive document assembly program to automate family law forms. The project will first focus on uncontested divorces before expanding to custody, child support, modification of custody and child support, and contested divorces. Eventually, the program may also automate forms for consumer and housing cases, such as debt collection (small claims, district, and circuit court) and evictions. TIG funding will also support outreach efforts to people who would benefit from the program.

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) congratulated Legal Services Alabama on the grant.

“I am thrilled that Legal Services of Alabama was awarded the Technology Initiative Grant that will allow them to expand access to their legal services throughout Alabama," said Rep. Sewell. "Technology is vital in providing high-quality legal counseling in today's world. Legal Services of Alabama plays a crucial role in providing free civil legal aid for Alabamians in need. This grant will provide critical resources to increase their outreach in helping low-income people resolve their legal problems."

Legal Services Alabama is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million,

California Rural Legal Assistance and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County Receive Technology Grants from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that California Rural Legal Assistance will receive a $25,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County will receive a $124,879 grant to improve the organizations’ use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

California Rural Legal Assistance willuse the grant to conduct an assessment with a consulting team to identify potential improvements in applicant-intake workflows and related technologies. This will enable people to more easily access their services.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County will use its TIG funding to develop an online triage system to provide applicants with targeted legal results at any time of day. It will use Guided Navigation and the Knowledge Resource Library in LegalServer to make resources available via the web and by text in multiple languages.

Members of Congress congratulated California Rural Legal Assistance on the grant.

Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24): “The ��˶�� (LSC) provides vital resources to Central Coast residents including pro-bono legal services. Their work is needed now more than ever, as our residents face employment and housing issues, compounded by challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. LSC’s recent selection of California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) for a Technology Initiative Grant of $25,400 will greatly help our communities. I’ve fought for funding to support the LSC in Congress and am grateful for their work to provide critical legal services for our community and close the gaps in access to justice.”

Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16): "We all know the important work that California Rural Legal Assistance has been engaged in over the years. From helping keep people in their homes to navigating our country's complicated immigration system, CRLA is truly making a difference. I'm pleased to see they've been awarded this grant to enable them to continue providing critical legal assistance for disadvantaged people across the state."

Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09): “This grant will help California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. expand access to critical legal services for those in need, specifically for those who lack the financial resources to retain legal counsel. A person’s income or financial situation should not limit their ability to access high quality legal assistance to navigate our judicial system. I’m proud to have supported this funding so that this organization can continue to provide these much-needed services.”

Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51): “Congratulations to California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) for being selected by the ��˶�� to receive a Technology Initiative Grant of $25,400. CRLA is working and fighting for essential and low-wage workers at risk of losing basic needs due to COVID-19. Their work is important, now more than ever.”

The organizations are two of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut will receive a $143,584 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut will use the grant to add new features to its case management and online intake systems and Connecticut’s statewide website, CTLawHelp.org. It will use text messaging to share information and for the online intake process. All the features will be bolstered by machine learning. 

Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia will receive a $288,322 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Neighborhood Legal Services Program will use the grant to update its case management system. It will work with Clio to adapt a system used by private law firms to meet the needs of legal aid organizations. Additions will include new features such as eligibility screening, grants management and the custom reports required by LSC and other funders.

Neighborhood Legal Services Program is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Bay Area Legal Services and Legal Services of Greater Miami Receive Technology Grants from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Bay Area Legal Services will receive a $138,010 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) and Legal Services of Greater Miami will receive a $106,892 grant to improve the organizations’ use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Bay Area Legal Services willuse the grant to integrate its document assembly and case management software to produce user-friendly client and court documents. Processing more than 58,000 applications every year, the organization will economize its resources across its five-county service area and two statewide legal helplines.

Legal Services of Greater Miami will use TIG funding to expand the online intake system currently used by five Florida legal aid organizations, including Bay Area Legal Services, to include the Florida Senior Legal Helpline and the Florida Veterans Legal Helpline. The grant will also help Legal Services of Greater Miami add analytics to gather data about time spent on applications and eligibility determinations.

Members of Congress congratulated Legal Services of Greater Miami on the grant.

“I am pleased that the ��˶�� has awarded this Technology Initiative Grant to Legal Services of Greater Miami,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (FL). “This funding will support the expansion of legal services for Florida seniors and veterans, making the online intake system more streamlined and efficient.”

“My team and I have witnessed, first-hand, the invaluable assistance that Legal Services of Greater Miami offers to our community and our constituents,” said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25). “I am a strong supporter of their work, and I am proud of the funding I have secured, and will continue to secure, through my role on the appropriations committee."

The organizations are two of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Atlanta Legal Aid Society will receive a $107,504 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society will use the grant to partner with Pro Bono Net and the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction on a project to increase website accessibility. The organizations will create short videos to guide users to more robust content on GeorgiaLegalAid.org, make the homepage mobile-friendly and ensure that A2J DAT documents are accessible to the visually impaired.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Legal Aid Chicago Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid Chicago will receive a $163,679 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Legal Aid Chicago will use the grant to integrate the case management system LegalServer with Paladin’s pro bono referral system to better match pro bono attorneys with cases. The Pro Bono Placement Integration Project will use API-based integration to auto-populate information into databases used by law firms, corporations and individual attorneys.

Legal Aid Chicago will also be able to target private attorneys and firms for outreach and have access to data to better place pro bono cases. 

Legal Aid Chicago is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Indiana Legal Services Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Indiana Legal Services will receive a $125,384 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Indiana Legal Services will use the grant to enhance Indiana Legal Help, a website that helps people navigate legal issues on their own in expungement, driving privileges, gender marker and name change cases.

Members of Congress congratulated Indiana Legal Services on the grant.

Sen. Todd Young (IN): “I have advocated for policies which ensure that every American with critical legal needs has timely access to high-quality legal assistance, no matter their income level. Accordingly, I applaud today’s announcement that Indiana Legal Services will receive a $125,384 Technology Initiative Grant to improve Indiana Legal Help, a website that makes it easier for low-income Hoosiers to identify resources and information to help with their civil legal needs.”

Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-05): “As co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Access to Legal Aid Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am proud to learn the Indiana Legal Services received a $125,384 Technology Initiative Grant. We certainly have relied more heavily on technology during the pandemic. Unfortunately, Hoosiers’ legal issues have only gotten greater increasing the need for the Indiana Legal Help website, which will benefit Hoosiers searching for answers to their legal problems.”

Rep. André Carson (IN-07): “��˶�� (LSC) is a champion for people who can’t afford adequate legal counsel. They have served as a strong partner for equal justice for Hoosiers and Americans across the country. LSC was authorized by Congress to provide equal access to our justice system for those who need help. That’s why I’ve been a strong advocate for full funding for LSC for many years. I’ve seen their hard work on behalf of low-income Hoosiers across the state, and here in Indianapolis. This Technology Initiative Grant is vitally important for Indiana Legal Services to be able to serve more Hoosiers, especially during this pandemic when more people are relying on services that are provided online. I’m pleased that Indiana Legal Services will be able to enhance their Indiana Legal Help website with this grant, which couldn’t be more timely as too many of my constituents are facing so many hardships from COVID-19, including the loss of employment and threats of evictions. I look forward to working together with Indiana Legal Services to help Hoosiers in need in the months ahead.”

Indiana Legal Services is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Kansas Legal Services Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Kansas Legal Services will receive a $354,312 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Kansas Legal Services will use the grant to upgrade the content management system for Drupal for Legal Aid Websites (DLAW) from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9. DLAW is a Drupal distribution for building public information websites. Prior development of DLAW has also been supported by TIG funding.

Members of Congress congratulated Kansas Legal Services on the grant.

Senator Jerry Moran (KS), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee: “Kansans who are struggling financially have a great advocate in Kansas Legal Services, and this grant will help low-income Kansans have greater access to information and resources to navigate complicated and challenging legal systems.”

Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03): “Everyone deserves access to justice and Kansas Legal Services does the work to make that possible for Kansans. I advocated for this important funding during the House appropriations process and I am so pleased to see that this grant will directly benefit vulnerable Kansans who need help navigating the law.”

Rep. Roger Marshall (KS-01): “As a physician, I saw first-hand the important and impactful work Kansas Legal Services provides for Kansans. Without their services, thousands of Kansans would be without legal representation for important issues impacting their lives. I am proud to support the KLS and am optimistic that these grant dollars will allow them to provide greater access to Kansans.”

The organization is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Maine’s Pine Tree Legal Assistance Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Pine Tree Legal Assistance will receive a $50,000 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance will use the grant to support Stateside Legal, a website focused exclusively on veterans’ federal legal rights and resources. TIG funding will allow Stateside Legal to maintain a large collection of legal resources relevant to veterans and other individuals with a military connection. The project will also explore innovations to enhance the delivery of information and conduct substantial outreach to other legal and veterans groups.

Members of Congress congratulated Pine Tree Legal Assistance on the grant.

Sen. Susan Collins (ME): “Pine Tree Legal Assistance works hard to help ensure that all Mainers, regardless of income, have access to quality representation, sound legal advice, and the tools to navigate the justice system. This investment will help Pine Tree Legal improve the availability of legal resources for veterans as well as increase outreach to veterans across the State of Maine.”

Sen. Angus King (ME): “Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an invaluable advocate for low-income Maine people; the staff there works every day to help make our state a better, more equitable place for all,” said Senator King. “This grant will help the organization expand its technology-driven efforts –an important goal, that has grown even more vital as this pandemic demonstrates the potential of connectivity for schools, medicine and services. I’m thrilled to see the organization receive these funds, and am pleased that they have the opportunity to harness this investment for the good of our state’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1): “I’m glad to see Pine Tree Legal Assistance receive this grant of $50,000, which will go far in making sure Maine’s veterans have access to the legal resources they deserve. I’m also glad to see the focus of this grant on making sure veterans’ legal resources are well-maintained and easily accessible online, especially important to keep veterans safe during this public health crisis. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I work to ensure funding for the ��˶�� to support grants like this is included in yearly funding bills, and I’m proud that Maine’s veterans will benefit.”

The organization is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Lakeshore Legal Aid and Michigan Advocacy Program Receive Technology Grants from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Lakeshore Legal Aid will receive a $100,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) and Michigan Advocacy Program will receive three grants totally $399,045 to improve the organizations’ use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Lakeshore Legal Aid willuse the grant to produce user-friendly animated instructional videos to help self-represented and retained clients. These videos will be published online and will be usable by other Michigan legal aid organizations.

Michigan Advocacy Program will use a $259,500 grant to add three new features to the A2J Author document assembly program in order to increase resources for self-represented litigants. One new feature will allow users to complete a previously saved interview without repeating questions they have seen.

A second improvement will allow authors to designate an interview for “advanced end-users,” letting users see the entire tree of questions and answer questions in any order and the third new feature will make it easier for authors to duplicate questions and steps from one interview to another.

The organization will use an additional grant of $70,895 to create an automated chat feature to learn more about clients’ outcomes in advice and brief service cases. A third grant of $68,650 will allow Michigan Advocacy Program to update and migrate the Michigan Legal Help Program to Drupal 9 while improving usability and updating design, migrating a user guide to legal help, ensuring full functionality and compliance, modifying the existing library of 50+ DIY tools to be easily e-Filed, rebuilding online intake or working to integrate the existing online intake module, and translating the guide to legal help into Spanish.

Members of Congress congratulated the organizations on receiving the grants.

Rep. Dingell (MI-12): “Access to justice is essential if we are to have due process in this country. But sadly, there are just too many barriers that remain. There’s no substitute for a competent lawyer, and now more than ever people must have access to proper legal counsel to ensure their rights are protected. With technology and communication systems transforming every day, it’s imperative that technology in the legal community is modern so people have an easy, reliable way to find legal counsel when they need it."

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14): “No American should be deprived of quality representation in legal matters, no matter their social or economic status. Without the critical work of organizations such as Lakeshore Legal Aid and Michigan Advocacy Program, low-income Michiganders would be forced to navigate the judicial system without assistance. Using these grants, both organizations will improve their technological capabilities to better serve Michiganders. Each year, I am proud to support robust funding for the ��˶�� to ensure that organizations across the country have the resources they need to fulfill their crucial missions.”

Rep. Andy Levin (MI-09): “In pre-COVID times, it was not uncommon for our office to refer constituents upstairs to the extremely valuable community resource that is Lakeshore Legal Aid, which shares an office building with us in Warren. Having legal experts available to everyone –regardless of income –is fundamental to achieving justice, and we all must adapt to these unprecedented times. I congratulate Lakeshore Legal Aid on their Technology Initiative Grant to help clients better access their robust services.”

The organizations are two of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Montana Legal Services Association Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Montana Legal Services Association will receive a $154,387 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Montana Legal Services Association will use the grant to develop, test and implement a series of self-help consumer law tools on MontanaLawHelp.org to provide targeted information to users with debt-related legal problems. These include a garnishment calculator; a tool to help identify possible claims, defenses and exempt income, and disseminate resources on common consumer questions; and an automated interactive answer form to make it easier for self-represented litigants to respond to lawsuits.

Montana Legal Services Association is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Ohio State Legal Services Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Ohio State Legal Services will receive a $526,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Ohio State Legal Services will use the grant to support LawHelp Interactive (LHI), a national document assembly platform used in more than 40 states. LHI enables self-represented litigants, legal aid and pro bono lawyers, and self-help programs to create high-quality online forms for free. Through its partnership with Pro Bono Net, improvements to LHI include enhanced remote workflows, such as e-signature and e-submission. These developments are particularly important now, as states grapple with the realities of post-COVID legal service delivery.

Ohio State Legal Services is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center will receive a $298,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center will use the grant to expand the Upsolve self-help bankruptcy platform to empower users to send letters to debt collectors, file complaints with the Consumer Bankruptcy Protection Bureau and assess eligibility for student loan discharge. Upsolve will also build a new Learn Center to educate visitors about consumer law issues.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Memphis Area Legal Services Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Memphis Area Legal Services will receive a $25,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Memphis Area Legal Services will use the grant to create an online intake and legal service delivery model. This will enable legal aid clients to receive legal representation remotely.

Memphis Area Legal Services is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Legal Assistance of Western New York Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Legal Assistance of Western New York will receive a $192,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Legal Assistance of Western New York will use the grant to implement new, more intuitive, mobile-first web designs. This will include functionality to allow subject matter experts to update content, advanced search features that help people understand the nature of their legal problem, integration-driven referral tools that facilitate collaboration and support the accuracy of referral information across platforms and flexibility to support scaling and modifications as community needs and service delivery methods evolve.

Members of Congress congratulated Legal Assistance of Western New York on the grant.

Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22): “As Upstate New Yorkers continue to respond to the challenges of this public health crisis, access to adequate legal representation is more important than ever, especially for low-income communities. Every American has the right to legal representation, and this Technology Initiative Grant from the ��˶�� will help level the playing field for low-income Upstate New Yorkers and connect them with the help they need. This grant money will help raise awareness about the local resources available to our community and give people the right tools to get back on their feet. I am proud to work with LAWNY to support Upstate New Yorkers.”

Rep. John Katko (NY-24): “I am very pleased to hear that Legal Assistance of Western New York has received nearly $200,000 in grant funding through a Technology Initiative Grant (TIG).This funding will allow Legal Assistance of Western New York to modernize their technology and increase their capabilities in providing low-income individuals with legal assistance. During the current pandemic, it is more important than ever that local organizations like this one have reliable online and remote services. In Congress, I have led efforts to increase funding for the ��˶��, including the TIG program. I am thrilled to see these funds going to good use in our community.”

Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25): “Legal Assistance of Western New York does incredible work helping vulnerable families access high-quality legal aid. I am proud to have helped secure funding to make this grant available and allow their vital services to reach more individuals in our community. I’m grateful to the ��˶�� for facilitating this exciting award and for their continued work to ensure the legal system is accessible to all people.”

The organization is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Utah Legal Services Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Utah Legal Services will receive a $57,900 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Utah Legal Services will use the grant to create a debt collection chatbot. This will allow the organization to increase the quality and efficiency of providing personalized legal information to low-income Utahns.

Rep. Ben McAdams (UT-4) congratulated Utah Legal Services on the grant.

“All Utahns should have equal access to legal services and support navigating the court system,” said Rep. McAdams. “Improving technology in a way that expands use to more Utahns, regardless of personal financial circumstances, is a step in the right direction. I’m glad these federal grant funds will be put to good use for Utah families and individuals.”

The organization is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Legal Services of Northern Virginia and Virginia Legal Aid Society Receive Technology Grants from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Legal Services of Northern Virginia will receive a $108,000 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) and Virginia Legal Aid Society will receive a $25,400 grant to improve the organizations’ use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Legal Services of Northern Virginia will use the grant to create a messaging platform that will allow program staff attorneys to communicate with limited English proficiency clients in multiple languages.

Virginia Legal Aid Society will use TIG funding to conduct a business assessment to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the Office365 application in delivering legal services. With the help of a consultant experienced in training and customizing Microsoft Office products, the organization will develop customized special programs, including ribbons, toolbars and document assembly templates in Microsoft Word to improve legal services delivery standards and increase program efficiency.

Members of Congress congratulated the organizations on the grants.

Senator Tim Kaine (VA): “No one should be denied legal services because of socioeconomic status. I am very pleased that these federal dollars will improve language resources and technology training to expand access to legal services for Virginians.”

Senator Mark Warner (VA) “Legal Services of Northern Virginia does the important work of making legal aid available to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. During this increasingly difficult time, it’s essential that program attorneys have all the resources they need to effectively communicate with the clients they serve. I applaud the ��˶�� for using these Congressionally appropriated dollars to help break language barriers and ensure that folks with limited English proficiency can get quality legal representation.

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11): “Uninhibited access to legal counsel is a foundational tenet of our justice system. Without it, there can be no truly equal justice under the law. I am thrilled that the ��˶�� is supporting such important work here in Northern Virginia, and I congratulate Legal Services of Northern Virginia on their selection for this grant.”

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (VA-10): "I’m proud that Legal Services of Northern Virginia, an invaluable resource here in our community, has been awarded federal grant funding that I supported in Congress. As a lawyer, I saw the important public good that LSNV provides to help those most in need stay safe, access services, and get the justice they deserve. The federal support that LSNV will receive will help this incredible organization expand their services for limited English-speaking clients."

The organizations are two of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Northwest Justice Project Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Northwest Justice Project will receive a $224,400 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs.

Northwest Justice Project will use the grant to redesign WashingtonLawHelp.org (WLH) to be mobile-first and more accessible to people with all levels of ability, literacy and English language proficiency. WLH is a key training space for new attorneys and pro bono lawyers. The project will incorporate community and stakeholder feedback to develop a self-help library, advocate resource library, provider directory and a guided navigation and triage system.

Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-6) congratulated Northwest Justice Project on the grant.

“I feel strongly that our country should make real the promise of ‘liberty and justice for all,’” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why it’s so important for organizations like the Northwest Justice Project to have access to much-needed resources to improve and continue the important work of ensuring low-income folks in our region can access high-quality legal assistance. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I was proud to help secure the federal funding for this grant –and I’ll keep working to ensure everyone in our community has access to justice.”

Northwest Justice Project is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

Legal Aid of West Virginia Receives Technology Grant from the ��˶��

WASHINGTON – The ��˶�� (LSC) announced today that Legal Aid of West Virginia will receive a $149,736 Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) to improve the organization’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs. Established in 2000, LSC’s TIG program supports legal aid organizations in developing and replicating technologies that improve efficiency and provide greater access to high-quality legal assistance.

Legal Aid of West Virginia Project will use the grant to develop a comprehensive legal portal, the Kinship Information Navigator (KIN) Project. KIN will enable family members affected by the opioid epidemic to use online visual guides to determine how to obtain legal custody of a child who has informally come into their care.

Members of Congress congratulated Legal Aid of West Virginia on the grant.

“It’s important for us to remember that while we continue to deal with the coronavirus, this is not the only health crisis we are battling In West Virginia—and in many communities across this nation—we continue to face the drug crisis on top of the additional challenges associated with this pandemic,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. “I’m pleased to see this funding heading to our state to help families affected by the opioid epidemic and help place children in loving homes where they can grow and be nurtured.”

“The drug epidemic has torn apart West Virginia families, leaving many children without parents to care for them,” said Sen. Joe Manchin. “Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other family members have increasingly taken over the role of guardian for many children, giving them safety and security when they need it most,” said Senator Manchin.“I am pleased that Legal Aid of West Virginia has received this award to help those families obtain legal custody of the children in their care. The children affected by this terrible crisis must be our first priority, and I will not stop fighting until they have the help they need to thrive, no matter their circumstances.”

The organization is one of 24 recipients of 2020 TIG funding totaling nearly $4 million.

is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974. For 50 years, LSC has provided financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 130 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.  

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2020 Technology Initiative Grant Recipients

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