Intake

Juris: The Legal Research Chatbot

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:38:34 +0000

Juris: The Legal Research Chatbot sierra-chacona… Tue, 08/20/2024 - 13:38

In this project brief, learn how Lone Star Legal Aid developed and implemented Juris, a legal document-reading chatbot, to streamline its staff's research and administrative responsibilities.

Lone Star Legal Aid: Juris: The Legal Research Chatbot

Grantees will learn how Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA):

1. Identified a suitable artificial intelligence (AI) platform;

2. Compiled a research library for the chatbot to reference; and

3. Developed and implemented the coding infrastructure.

Hear from LSLA's Data Analytics Team about their insights, key takeaways, and lessons learned from developing the Juris chatbot, as well as their plans for future chatbots.

Read Project Brief

“Thanks to [the chatbot’s] successful implementation into LSLA’s staff operations, LSLA plans to expand the chatbot program into human resources and client community support.”

Excerpt from the Project Brief

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Data Intake Technology

Texas

Allied Legal Professionals Increasing Access to Justice

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:37:40 +0000

Allied Legal Professionals Increasing Access to Justice sierra-chacona… Thu, 08/08/2024 - 10:37

Learn about how states and legal aid organizations have strived towards allowing allied legal professionals to provide limited legal representation to clients in this fact sheet.

Allied Legal Professionals: States Increasing Access to Justice

Grantees will learn how Allied Legal Professionals (ALPs):

1. Provide limited legal representation to clients in several areas of practice;

2. Work to enhance access to justice; and

3. Provide legal advice and court representation by advocating for client rights.

Learn from various states about the evolution of ALPs in civil legal aid and the steps taken to allow more access to justice.

View the Fact Sheet

“Though it varies by state, common responsibilities of allied legal professionals include advising clients on their rights, communicating with opposing party counsel, preparing legal documents for clients, and advocating on clients’ behalf for purposes of settlement.”

Excerpt from Fact Sheet

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Intake Outreach Strategic Planning

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:37:11 +0000

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:37

In this case study, learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services and Legal Aid of Western Michigan implemented action plans to help clientele in danger of losing housing during COVID-19.

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Grantees will learn how Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) and Legal Aid of Western Michigan (LAWM):

1. Accommodated the influx of housing and eviction assistance requests during COVID-19;

2. Created informative videos to educate the community about the eviction process; and

3. Spearheaded a statewide eviction diversion program (EDP) to provide early intervention.

Hear from Jacob Workman, Managing Attorney at ILAS, and Karen Tjapkes, Director of Litigation at LAWM, about managing an influx of civil legal aid requests and the expanding number of low-income individuals and families receiving eviction assistance during COVID-19.

Read Case Study

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

Excerpt from Case Study

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Strategic Planning Technology COVID-19 Housing / Evictions

Idaho

Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:12:49 +0000

Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide sierra-chacona… Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:12

Learn how Legal Services of North Florida launched mobile units to reach low income residents facing digital challenges in this case study.

Legal Services of North Florida: Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide

Grantees will learn how Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF):

1. Implemented digital solutions and outreach for increased legal aid demands;

2. Created and sent mobile units to areas recovering from natural disasters; and

3. Increased housing assistance cases and digital intake capacity

Hear from Leslie Powell-Boudreaux, Executive Director of LSNF, and Charlotte Waters, Communications Director, about measures SNF took to increase its online intake capacity, manage case logistics, and educate court personnel about digital challenge facing its clients during natural disasters.

Read Case Study

”LSNF’s multimedia outreach on social media, radio, and printed fliers throughout Hurricane Michael’s recovery efforts and COVID-19 contributed to a large increase in housing assistance applications, particularly for evictions.”

Charlotte Waters

Communications Director, Legal Services of North Florida

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COVID-19 Disasters Intake Outreach Rural Strategic Planning Technology

Florida

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:14:21 +0000

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/31/2024 - 15:14

Learn about the Legal Action of Wisconsin's efforts to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization by enhancing staff retention, morale, and hiring practices in this case study.

Legal Action of Wisconsin: Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

Grantees will learn how Legal Action of Wisconsin (LAW):

1. Integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values within the organization’s culture;
2. Enhanced staff retention and morale; and
3. Expanded diversity and inclusion for clients.

Hear from Jennifer L. Johnson, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at LAW, about the DEI Committee crafting LAW's vision, values, and mission and overcoming challenges to incorporate DEI values into the organization.

View the Case Study

”Staff opinions and feedback are crucial to incorporating DEI into organizations, as is ensuring the staff feel valued and heard when leadership solicits their feedback.”

Jennifer L. Johson

Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Legal Action of Wisconsin

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COVID-19 Intake Leadership Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

Wisconsin

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:36:32 +0000

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/31/2024 - 14:36

Learn about Legal Services NYC's tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy in this case study.

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

Grantees will learn how Legal Services NYC (LSNYC):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Allocated resources and support for high-impact cases; and

3. Managed the team structure and pro bono partnerships.

Hear from Christine Clarke, Chief of Litigation and Advocacy at LSNYC, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

Christine Clarke

Chief of Litigation and Advocacy, Legal Services NYC

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

New York

Expanding Services to Bridge the Digital Divide

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:29:17 +0000

Expanding Services to Bridge the Digital Divide sierra-chacona… Mon, 07/29/2024 - 11:29

Learn how Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota established legal kiosks and mobile legal aid offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dialing Up: How Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Expanded Its Services to Bridge the Digital Divide

Grantees will learn how Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM):

1. Assisted communities cut off by the digital divide;

2. Instituted resource, technology, and emergency staffing infrastructure; and

3. Established legal kiosks and mobile legal aid offices.

Hear from Anne Hoefgen, Executive Director of Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM), and Kelly Wencl, Communications & Outreach Coordinator, about approaches to increase accessibility, rapid assistance, community partnerships, and outreach to communities cut off by the digital divide.

View Case Study

"LSNM focused on ‘pandemic positives’: learning how to serve people and use resources better based on lessons gleaned from these challenges."

Anne Hoefgen

Executive Director, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

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COVID-19 Intake Outreach Rural Strategic Planning Technology

Michigan

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:25:54 +0000

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation sierra-chacona… Wed, 07/03/2024 - 11:25

Learn Colorado Legal Services’ tips, tricks, and strategies for conducting impact advocacy through strategic litigation, handling related cases, and filing amicus briefs.

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Grantees will learn how Colorado Legal Services (CLS):

1. Conducted impact advocacy through strategic litigation;

2. Handled high volumes of impactful cases; and

3. Filed amicus briefs to advocate for expanding civil protections.

Hear from Matt Baca, Executive Director of CLS, about key takeaways and lessons learned from some of the organization’s most impactful casework over the years.

View Case Study

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

Matt Baca

Executive Director, Colorado Legal Services

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Intake Leading and Managing an Organization Outcomes Strategic Planning

Colorado

Provide Legal Services

tuckera@lsc.gov — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:43:08 +0000

Provide Legal Services tuckera@lsc.gov Thu, 11/04/2021 - 10:43

Enhance your legal service provision with expert guidance from our Model Practices & Innovations repository. Access proven methodologies, innovative approaches, and real-world case studies to elevate client representation, improve access to justice, and make a meaningful impact in your community.

What LSC Offers

Legal aid organizations should treat those seeking assistance and clients accepted for services with dignity and sensitivity. Effective representation begins with a relationship of mutual trust and respect. A legal aid organization should continually strive to maximize the effectiveness of its services and to achieve meaningful and lasting results on behalf of clients. The examples, models, and resources provided below are aimed to help your legal aid organization:

Provide client access and conduct intake
Engage diverse populations
Provide language access
Represent clients effectively
Manage and supervise legal work
Engage volunteers
Assist unrepresented people in your community

Featured Resources for Providing Legal Services

Explore resources from LSC that can help grantees enhance their legal service delivery models.

Case Study: COVID-19 Eviction Assistance

This Model Practices & Innovations case study features two LSC grantees, Idaho Legal Aid Services and Legal Aid of Western Michigan, who helped clients navigate rapidly changing eviction laws during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free Training: Civil Legal Aid Partnerships with Public Libraries

This MPI info sheet provides comprehensive details about the free library trainings offered by LSC and OCLC: "Creating Pathways to Civil Legal Justice” and “Navigating Civil Legal Issues after Natural Disasters.” These training programs are specifically designed for public libraries to collaborate with LSC grantees with the goal of increasing access to legal aid following natural disasters.

Info Sheet: Library Partnerships during Disaster Relief

Learn how LSC grantees like Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) partner with public libraries that can identify their patrons’ legal issues and direct them to LSNF for services.

Video Playlist: Provide Legal Services

Explore model practice and innovation videos in this YouTube playlist curated by LSC’s Office of Training and Technical Assistance. Topics include client access and intake, conducting outreach to diverse populations, representing clients effectively, engaging volunteers, and others.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

In this MPI article, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM) shares its tactics for assisting low-income individuals who lack access to technology through legal kiosks and Justice Buses. LSNM also provides valuable insights and replicable practics gained from their experiences.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Legal Services of North Florida

This MPI article features Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF)! LSNF uses a variety of strategies to successfully bridge the digital divide for victims of natural disasters and those isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 Website Information

Legal aid organizations can use their websites to notify clients of office hour changes and their latest legal rights via simple website banners and FAQ pages.

Website Banners and Resource Pages

COVID-19 Hotlines

Attorneys can reach clients remotely and offer free-and-fast COVID-19 legal information or advice by launching COVID-19 hotlines.

COVID-19 Hotlines

Resources for Providing Legal Services

Addressing Community Needs Through Medical-Legal Partnerships
Client Access and Intake
Diverse Populations
Language Access and Cultural Sensitivity
Effective Legal Representation
Management and Supervision of Legal Work
Volunteer Engagement and Private Attorney Involvement

Legal aid lawyers can team up with local medical organizations to address community needs together. Addressing a patient’s legal issues can improve a patient's health outcomes, thereby reducing the patient’s trips to the hospital and healthcare costs. Read this post for more information about how legal aid organizations can create a partnership with healthcare providers aimed at serving their community.

Additional Information and Resources

Generally, an organization's first contact with prospective clients is through the intake process. It is essential that the organization's intake system be welcoming to applicants, foster confidence in its services, accurately identify the applicant's legal needs, and promptly determine the assistance to be provided. An effective intake system offers multiple portals for access:

Online
Telephone
Walk-in and outreach

It is most efficient if organizations use an online or telephone triage system to direct persons who are not eligible for services to another service provider early in the process. Clear priorities and case acceptance guidelines are essential to a streamlined system.

Effective use of technology is essential for an efficient intake system. For example, online intake can offer opportunities for low-income people to seek or apply for help outside of office hours and during holidays and save them valuable time in finding out whether they even qualify for free legal aid.

Additional Information and Resources

An effective legal aid organization is known to and has the trust of the low-income community in its service area. The organization engages with all segments of the low-income community, including those living in geographically isolated areas, those with access difficulties, and persons with limited English-speaking ability. Special populations include:

Elderly
Agricultural workers
Native Americans
Residents of rural areas
Homeless
Disabled
Veterans
Non-English speakers

Legal aid organizations should also take steps to ensure that they are reaching the underserved populations in their service areas through a variety of means, such as:

Information on a website
Social media
Outreach events
Legal education and clinics at locations that these populations access the most

Additional Information and Resources

Legal aid organizations should strive to offer services in a culturally competent manner to those from diverse cultures in the service area. This effort includes, to the extent possible, having staff who are bilingual in the most frequently spoken languages other than English.

An excellent limited English proficiency plan should outline the procedures for assisting those who speak other languages and ensure sufficient resources to support adequate interpretation and translation services.

Additional Information and Resources

The organization should gear legal representation to achieving the client's objectives and obtaining lasting outcomes. To address the community's most pressing legal needs, the organization should focus its advocacy strategically. This effort can be accomplished by:

Establishing priorities, goals, strategies, and projected outcomes
Allocating resources correspondingly

Additional Information and Resources

To ensure high-quality legal services for low-income people in your service area, it is essential to have standards and systems in place that guide for:

Supervision
Effective case management
Adherence to practice standards
Training and staff development

Policies for case management can also establish areas of responsibility and minimum expectations for all staff. This effort will ensure regular communication between staff and between staff and management.

Additional Information and Resources

Legal aid organizations have utilized several methods to engage volunteers in their work, not only as a way to expand services to clients but also to involve and invest the community in providing access to justice to the low-income population.

Additional Information and Resources

Infographics and Info Sheets

Infographics and Info Sheets
Info Sheet: Library Partnerships during Disaster Relief
Info Sheet: Allied Legal Professionals
Infographic: Legal Services NYC’s Impact Advocacy

This info sheet provides comprehensive details about the free library trainings offered by LSC and OCLC: “Creating Pathways to Civil Justice” and “Navigating Civil Legal Issues after Natural Disasters.” These training programs are specifically designed for public libraries to collaborate with LSC grantees with the goal of increasing access to legal aid following natural disasters

Learn how LSC grantees like Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) partner with public libraries that can identify their patrons’ legal issues and direct them to LSNF for services

This new MPI info sheet explores the timeline and evolution of allied legal professionals in civil legal aid and the steps that states and LSC grantees have taken to allow more access to justice.

This Model Practices & Innovations case study highlights the dedicated work of Legal Services NYC’s impact advocacy through its strategic litigation

Intake

Justice Gap Research

laytonj@lsc.gov — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 13:25:10 +0000

Justice Gap Research laytonj@lsc.gov Thu, 08/26/2021 - 09:25

The ��˶�� (LSC) conducts research measuring the "justice gap" - the gap between the need for civil legal assistance among low-income Americans and the resources available to meet that need.

Introduction

LSC’s Justice Gap Research advances our commitment to funding civil legal assistance for Americans who would be otherwise unable to afford it. Our research provides high-quality data about the gap between the need for civil legal assistance and its availability in low-income America, used to advance LSC’s advocacy efforts.

Read the latest report

To date, LSC has published four studies documenting the justice gap as part of its Justice Gap Initiatives.

The first study was published in 2005 and showed that for every person helped by LSC-funded organizations, another was turned away because they did not have sufficient resources to help. The second Justice Gap study, published in 2009 using the same methodology as the 2005 study, confirmed that the justice gap among low-income Americans remained just as large as it had been in 2005.

In 2017, LSC released a third, comprehensive, Justice Gap study entitled: “The Justice Gap: Measuring the Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans.” For the 2017 report, LSC developed a more expansive methodology that included a national survey of low-income households administered by NORC at the University of Chicago. The report revealed that, in the prior year, 86% of the civil legal problems reported by low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help.

The 2017 Justice Gap Study also found that 71% of low-income households in the country had experienced at least one civil legal problem in the prior year. One in four low-income households experienced six or more civil legal problems, including 67% of households with survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse. These problems included critical issues such as veterans’ benefits, domestic violence, disability access, poor housing conditions, debt issues and health.

In April 2022, LSC released its fourth Justice Gap study, “The Justice Gap: The Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans.” For the 2022 study, LSC once again partnered with NORC at the University of Chicago, surveying more than 5,000 American households of all income levels to provide an up-do-date baseline measure of civil legal need and insights into help-seeking behaviors of people facing civil legal problems, like eviction, foreclosure, domestic violence, and child custody disputes. The survey also asked about the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on American families. Additionally, LSC grantees tracked all the people who came to them for help and how many were turned away.

The 2022 study revealed that 92% of the civil legal problems of low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help. Nearly three quarters (74%) of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem in the previous year. A third (33%) of low-income Americans had at least one problem they attributed to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Justice Gap Over Time

The Latest Justice Gap Report

LSC’s latest justice gap report, released April 2022, shows that 92% of the civil legal problems of low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help. Nearly three quarters (74%) of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem in the previous year. A third (33%) of low-income Americans had at least one problem they attributed to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Intake

Juris: The Legal Research Chatbot

Lone Star Legal Aid: Juris: The Legal Research Chatbot

“Thanks to [the chatbot’s] successful implementation into LSLA’s staff operations, LSLA plans to expand the chatbot program into human resources and client community support.”

More on Technology

More Model Practices & Innovations

Allied Legal Professionals Increasing Access to Justice

Allied Legal Professionals: States Increasing Access to Justice

“Though it varies by state, common responsibilities of allied legal professionals include advising clients on their rights, communicating with opposing party counsel, preparing legal documents for clients, and advocating on clients’ behalf for purposes of settlement.”

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices & Innovations

Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

Model Practices and Innovations: Eviction and COVID-19 Cases

"The most successful eviction diversion programs established under Michigan’s new eviction diversion structure brought together local housing agencies, legal service programs, district courts, Health and Human Services offices, and other stakeholders.”

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices & Innovations

Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide

Legal Services of North Florida: Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide

”LSNF’s multimedia outreach on social media, radio, and printed fliers throughout Hurricane Michael’s recovery efforts and COVID-19 contributed to a large increase in housing assistance applications, particularly for evictions.”

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices & Innovations

Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

Legal Action of Wisconsin: Cultivating Diversity to Retain Talent and Increase Inclusion

”Staff opinions and feedback are crucial to incorporating DEI into organizations, as is ensuring the staff feel valued and heard when leadership solicits their feedback.”

More on Management

More Model Practices and Innovations

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

From Courtroom to Community: How Legal Services NYC Uses Impact Advocacy and Litigation to Expand Access to Justice

“An important aspect of conducting sustainable impact work is shifting organizational culture to see legal aid work not just as solving the same problem a thousand times, but as addressing inequality on a systemic level.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Expanding Services to Bridge the Digital Divide

Dialing Up: How Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Expanded Its Services to Bridge the Digital Divide

"LSNM focused on ‘pandemic positives’: learning how to serve people and use resources better based on lessons gleaned from these challenges."

More on Providing Legal Services

More Model Practices and Innovations

Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

Colorado Legal Services: Shaping Stories through Impact Advocacy and Litigation

“Day-to-day legal aid cases do not always make headlines, but they still provide clients with peace of mind, justice, and dignity in the most dire moments of their lives.”

More on Strategic Planning

More Model Practices and Innovations

Provide Legal Services

What LSC Offers

COVID-19 Website Information

COVID-19 Hotlines

Resources for Providing Legal Services

Infographics and Info Sheets

Justice Gap Research

Introduction

The Justice Gap Over Time

The Latest Justice Gap Report

The Justice Gap Over Time

Previous Justice Gap Reports