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Inclusive Legal Spaces: The Importance of Diverse Mentoring

Faith Deredge
Creating inclusive spaces and developing a diverse team is critical to any industry. However, diversity and inclusion are particularly important in the legal profession to ensure that judges, prosecutors, and lawyers are just as diverse as the millions of Americans they serve. Lawyers of color are…

Continuity of Care in MassHealth Managed Care after March 1, 2018

Office of Medicaid and Others
March 1, 2018 over 1 million members will be moving to new kinds of health plans. This affects individual under age 65 with MassHealth as their only coverage. Individuals should have received notice of the change from MassHealth and their new plans. There are protections in place to try to avoid…

National Center for Law and Elder Rights -- Trainings

NCLE
The National Center for Law and Elder rights has a number of recorded trainings about elder law topics, including: Elder abuse and financial exploitation Medicare, Medicaid and other benefits and health issues Consumer and foreclosures and more. Click the "Download" link…

How to Make & Test Videos (with Limited Time & Money)

Northwest Justice Project
If you create print publications to inform your communities about their legal rights and responsibilities, videos can amplify your educational outreach efforts. Below, you can download a copy of a 10-page Guide called, "How to Make & Test Videos (with Limited Time &…

How to Write for Clients

Legal Services Corporation
Useful round up of resources to help write in plain langauge.

2018 ConnectorCare enrollment options after Jan 23

Health Care for All
People purchasing individual coverage including ConnectorCare can only do so during "open enrollment" or if they have experienced a "qualifying event." Open enrollment for 2018 ended in MA on Jan 23, 2018.  However, it is not too late for people to obtain ConnectorCare…

Comments on House 2 MassHealth Amendments Relating to the Pharmacy Program

CHLPI/MLRI
Comments on House 2 MassHealth Amendments Relating to the Pharmacy Program On behalf of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (CHLPI) of Harvard Law School, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), and the undersigned organizations, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide…

Resources for Locating Someone who is being Detained or is Incarcerated

Karen Breda, Boston College Law School
Useful information on how to locate someone in immigration detention, federal prisons, and state prisons.  Click the "go to website" link below.

Inside Game: The Key Players Behind Washington’s Biggest Foster Care Reform in Decades

Daniel Heimpel

Myths about the 10-Year Law Fotonovela

Iris Gomez, MLRI
**NEW (March 2018): Fotonovela Is Now Available in Haitian Creole!**   Fotonovela Printing Instructions:   If you want to print your own copy of “Maria and Jesus, Their Four Children, and Some Myths About the 10-Year Law,” you have two options. You can print each…

Helping agency vs. an Authorized Representative

MLRI
We often hear of confusion from DTA case managers and from community organizations about the role of a helping agency or individual vs. the role of an Authorized Representative. It is very important that persons assisting with a SNAP case are not conflated with an Authorized…

Federal Title IV-E funding to the states

Child Trends
Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014: A survey of federal, state, and local expenditures, Kristina Roskinsky, Dana Dean Connelly, OCT 04, 2016 Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014: Massachusetts Child Welfare Financing SFY 2014:  State-Level Data Table (SFY 2014 is the most recent state level…

FAMILY FIRST ACT PRESS

Inside Game: The Key Players Behind Washington’s Biggest Foster Care Reform in Decades, Daniel Heimpel, Chronicle of Social Change, March 7, 2018 Trump’s Top Child Welfare Official: Family First a Good First Step, but True Prevention is Key, Jerry Milner, Chronicle of Social Change,…

The US Census Bureau keeps confusing race and ethnicity

Nancy Lopez, Director, Institute for the Study of "Race" & Social Justice; Associate Professor, Sociology, University of New Mexico
If you were walking down the street, what race would strangers automatically assume you were? “Street race” – what race you look like, based on your skin color, facial features and more – is an important aspect of a person’s experiences. For example, research…

National Immigration Law Center: Health Issues

NILC

MassHealth Income Guidelines effective March 1, 2018

MLRI. MassHealth
The MLRI Health Income Chart includes the 5% MAGI allowance, plus the $20 income disregard for MassHealth Senior calculations The MassHealth Desk Guide does not include combined figures.

The Cap on Kids -- Impact on Gateway Cities

MLRI
About the Gateway Cities Gateway Cities are midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state. For generations, these communities were home to industry that offered residents good jobs and a “gateway” to the American Dream. Over the past several decades,…

MassHealth Income Guidelines 2017 & 2018

MLRI, MassHealth
Attached are four tables.  The MLRI MassHealth Income Table for March 1 2017.  This table factors in the 5% MAGI income deduction to the various poverty levels.  Effective in MassHealth Mar 1, 2017 to Feb 28, 2018. Updated for Connector Open Enrollment beginning Nov 1,…

How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced? A Guide for K-12 Students and Their Caretakers

VRLC and Surviving in Numbers
 How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced? A Guide for K-12 Students and Their Caretakers  The Victims Rights Law Center and Surviving in Numbers have launched a resource bank and guide for young survivors (in kindergarden through 12th grade) and their caretakers.  The…

Lawyer for a Day for Housing Cases

MLRI
Information/Resources related to Lawyer for a Day Lawyer for a Day Next Steps Form - Customizable Word Document for Your LFD Program to Help Clients Keep Track of Next Steps Lawyer for a Day Program Housing Court Standing Order Reducing the Civil "Justice Gap" by…

Family First Act Implementation Timeline

Children's Defense Fund

Family First Prevention Services Act Summaries

Children's Defense Fund

The hidden health inequalities that American Indians and Alaskan Natives face

Annie Belcourt, University of Montana
From the article: "Unfortunately, my story isn’t uncommon for most Native Americans. As a collective, American Indians and Alaska Natives live more challenging and shorter lives. These are statistics I’m acutely aware of as researcher in clinical psychology. Understanding…

Governor's FY 2019 Budget Proposal: MLRI's Preliminary Analysis of Selected Issues

MLRI
The Governor’s FY 2019 Budget Proposal: Preliminary Analysis of Selected Cash and Nutrition Assistance,  Child Welfare, Health Care, Homelessness Services, Housing, Income Supports and Legal Services Items On January 24, 2018, Governor Baker released his budget…

SSI Deeming Chart

The attached chart includes SSI eligibility thresholds based on parent to child, spouse to spouse, and spouse to spouse to child deeming.

Frequently Asked Questions: USCIS Is Accepting DACA Renewal Applications

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Produced by NILC and United We Dream, this updated FAQ sheet on DACA renewal is also available on NILC's website, here. This is a useful resource for determining whether a person is eligible to renew, and what the necessary steps entail. For the links to the relevant USCIS forms for…

2017 DTA Performance Scorecards

DTA
DTA monthly scorecards for 2017, which include performance measures such as SNAP, EAEDC, and TAFDC caseloads, average waiting times, and accuracy rates. February 2017 (DTA did not post a January scorecard) March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July…

2018 SSI Payment Levels; 2018 SSI and SSDI Threshold Amounts

Disability Law Center
Two charts: 2018 SSI payment levels in Massachusetts 2018 SSI and SSDI threshold amounts

Massachusetts Housing Resources for Puerto Rico Evacuees

MLRI
Information to assist persons displaced from Puerto Rico who are looking for affordable temporary or permanent housing in Massachusetts.  Also included below is a Housing Fact Sheet for Puerto Rican Families in English and Spanish.

CHIP Flyer

CHAC
Federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program expired on September 30, 2017.  Massachusetts and other states are continuing to operate their programs using unexpended prior funding, but this is rapidly running out.  Funding in Massachusetts could be exhausted sometime in…

Deadline extended: Disaster unemployment assistance in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

National Employment Law Project
In recent months, tens of thousands of people in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have found themselves unemployed or unable to get to work due to Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma.  There is jobless aid available to people who are unemployed due to natural disasters. NELP…

Free On-demand Webinar on Puerto Rico Disaster Relief

Practising Law Institute
PLI is offering a free presentation of key post-disaster legal issues, as well as best practices.  It can be viewed here. 

2018 Open Enrollment in Massachusetts

Vicky Pulos, MLRI
Attached is a flyer with basic information about  open enrollment for 2018.  This applies to people who are enrolled in or applying for ConnectorCare or other non-group health insurance. The flyer includes links to key information on the Health Connector website and elsewhere. Also…

Representing Limited English Proficient Clients and Working with Interpreters: Tips and Traps for the Pro Bono Lawyer

Thsi training sponosered by Foley Hoag LLP, the Boston Bar Association, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Council, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the Victim Rights Law Center and the Women's Bar Foundation can be watched by clicking the "go to…

Family Preparedness Packets

MLRI and members of the Massachusetts Immigration Law Coalition
In a time of increased immigration enforcement, many immigrant families are looking for resources and other tools to proactively prepare in the event they are separated from their children. Many of the tools available are also applicable for families who have no interaction with the US immigration…

Immigrants and Disaster Relief

MLRI
1. Do I have to be a U.S. resident or citizen to apply for emergency disaster relief? You can qualify for non-cash FEMA disaster programs even without legal immigration status. Getting other benefits depends on your immigration status. 2. Will I be considered a public charge and denied…

Housing Opportunities for Tenants Displaced from HUD Multifamily Housing after 2017 Hurricanes/Disasters

MLRI
Summary of Housing Opportunities for Tenants Displaced from HUD Multifamily Housing after 2017 Hurricanes/Disasters

MLRI MassHealth/Connector Income Guidelines for Open Enrollment beginning November 1, 2017

MLRI
Attached is a revised MLRI MassHealth Income Chart, revised to reflect the 2017 FPL levels for the Connector programs. 2017 FPL income guidelines are effective in ConnectorCare during the January through December 2018 enrollment period.  Open Enrollment for 2018, begins on November 1st and runs…

ConnectorCare Premiums for 2018

Connector
Attached are the premium charges by plan and by region for ConnectorCare in 2018.  Starting Nov 1, 2017 current enrollees can change plans, and new applicants can sign up for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2018.  ConnectorCare is offering only one "affordable" plan choice and current…

FEMA Information for Legal Aid Advocates

National Disaster Legal Aid Website
Information about FEMA for legal services advocates, including materials from FEMA litigation and trainings about FEMA.

MassHealth Eligibility Review Forms- English & Spanish

MLRI
These forms are used in MassHealth redeterminations.  Do not use for applications.  For under 65 year old only. Not on MassHealth website

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance, U.S. Department of Labor
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a Presidentially declared major disaster. Learn more by clicking the "Go to Website" button below.

DisasterAssistance.gov

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program
This website is a project of the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program. DAIP was created by a federal executive order. From the site's About Us section: The site allows you to: Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs. Learn about more than 70 forms of…

Resources for Families Relocating from Puerto Rico

Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools created a page with information and resources for families relocating from Puertor Rico.  Click "go to website" below.

Introducing A Tax-Smart Way to Save for Disability Expenses

Massachusetts Advocates for Children
With the passge of the Americans Achieving Better Life Experience (ABLE) ACT, Americans with disabilities can now save and invest in a tax-advantaged account for short and long-term disability expenses, without risking their disability benefits. Click the "Go to Website" linke below to…

Supervised Visitation Centers -- Massachusetts

MLRI
Supervised visitation centers are community organizations in various locations that provide supervised visitation services.   List of Supervised Visitation Centers in Massachusetts 

MIRA Coalition DACA Update

MIRA Coalition
MIRA Coalition's update on DACA related issues and areas for advocacy. 

National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center

ProBonoNet et al
From the home page: The goals of DisasterLegalAid.org are: To serve as a centralized national resource for legal aid, pro bono and criminal defender attorneys across the country on legal issues related to all types of disasters, To recruit and help mobilize pro bono attorneys in the…

DACA

National Immigration Law Center
Updates about  DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) from the National Immigration Law Center. Click the "go to website" link below to access this information on NILC's website.

FOR OUR WHITE FRIENDS DESIRING TO BE ALLIES

COURTNEY ARIEL
Author's Note: I'm writing this in hopes that it can be used to lighten the load of marginalized folks, keeping in mind that not all marginalized people want to engage in the ally conversation, and that is perfect as well. For those who do, my prayer is that when someone asks you the…