Montana

Traveling the Distance to Train Tribal Lay Advocates

sierra-chacona@lsc.gov — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 14:24:26 +0000

Traveling the Distance to Train Tribal Lay Advocates sierra-chacona… Thu, 08/08/2024 - 10:24

In this case study, learn how the Montana Legal Services Association expanded its legal aid capacity in rural and tribal communities through the Montana Tribal Advocacy Incubator Project.

Montana Legal Services Association: Traveling the Distance to Train Tribal Lay

Grantees will learn how the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA):

1. Built the Tribal Advocacy Incubator (TAI) Project to expand legal aid capacity;

2. Developed an education program to recruit, train, and mentor tribal lay advocates; and

3. Addressed gaps in training and quality representation by standardizing practices.

Hear from Kathryn Seaton, Tribal Law Attorney at MLSA, and Valerie Falls Down, TAI Project Coordinator, about partnering with tribal courts to recruit, train, mentor, and support tribal lay advocates to provide legal assistance to low-income Native Americans.

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“The Montana Legal Services Association’s Tribal Advocacy Incubator Project originated with an understanding: Montana’s legal community is small, and the number of people who practice tribal law is even smaller.”

Kathryn Seaton

Tribal Law Attorney, Montana Legal Services Association

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Montana

Montana State Profile

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Montana State Profile admin Fri, 02/07/2020 - 09:57

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Montana

Montana Legal Services Association Program Quality Visit Report and Comments 2017

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Montana Legal Services Association Program Quality Visit Report and Comments 2017

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Montana

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Montana Legal Services Association - Case Service Report - Case Management System Review Visit Report 2012

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Montana Legal Services Association - Case Service Report - Case Management System Review Visit Report 2012 admin Tue, 03/27/2018 - 13:54

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Montana

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Montana Legal Services Association - Program Quality Visit Report and Comments 2010

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Montana Legal Services Association - Program Quality Visit Report and Comments 2010 admin Tue, 11/07/2017 - 16:27

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Helping Elderly Veterans Maintain Safe & Adequate Housing | Montana

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:39:34 +0000

Helping Elderly Veterans Maintain Safe & Adequate Housing | Montana admin Tue, 08/11/2015 - 12:39

Bob* is an elderly disabled veteran living in a federally subsidized low-income housing, with only his Social Security as income.

In early winter, he received a letter informing him that his rent would double, effective in one month. The doubled rent would take up 71% of his income, leaving very little to meet other basic necessities.

Bob called the housing authority and was told he no longer qualified for his two-bedroom apartment. They informed him that his rent would now include the extra room.

Bob contacted Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) for help. MLSA attorneys requested reasonable accommodations for Bob, explaining that his doctor recommended an exercise machine for his disability. He needed the area in the second room to have adequate space for the equipment.

With MLSA’s help, Bob was approved for the second room and now pays an affordable rent that is only 30% of his income. Grateful for his attorney's assistance, he wrote a thank you note to his MLSA attorney: "The case settled in my favor and I don't have to worry about being homeless. I am a 74-year-old veteran and I could not move if I had wanted to. Your service was terrific."

*Names have been changed

Elder Law Housing Veterans

Veterans

Montana