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Links to Medical Resources for Legal Advocates

MLRI, DLC
Links to medical definitions and medical information: https://medlineplus.gov/ National Library of Medicine (NIH)  https://www.cdc.gov/ Centers for Disease Control.   Complements  Medline Plus. Has an up-to-date compilation of late-breaking news from medicine, without a spin, just…

Dept. of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet on HIPAA

HHS

Food Stamp/SNAP Medical Deduction and Child Care Deductions: Client FAQ and Form

MLRI
To help your clients INCREASE their monthly food stamps (and to encourage more households to apply and get higher benefits), check out the two links below for more information.  Medical Expenses deduction: Households with an elder (age 60 or over) or disabled member can claim a wide range…

National Health Reform and You

Massachusetts Health Connector

Diversity Data Kids

Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy
A new toolkit for child advocates, researchers, and policymakers    From the press release: "diversitydatakids.org is the first comprehensive, equity-focused website designed to monitor progress towards improved wellbeing for children of all racial/ethnic groups through the…

Junk Justice: A Statistical Analysis of 4,400 Lawsuits filed by Debt Buyers

Peter A. Holland, Univ. of Maryland School of Law
Abstract: Debt buyers have flooded courts nationwide with collection lawsuits against consumers. This article reports the findings from the broadest in-depth study of debt buyer litigation outcomes yet undertaken. The study demonstrates that in debt buyer cases, (1) the vast majority of consumers…

How to Get Married In Massachusetts - Same Sex Couples

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download the guide from GLAD's website.

MassHealth Income Guidelines Effective March 1, 2014

Vicky Pulos and Neil Cronin, MLRI
Attached are the new income guidelines for MassHealth effective March 1st.   There are two charts.  The first from MLRI includes a couple of new features.  First of all, the 100% poverty guidelines used for MassHealth Elders includes the $20 income disregard in its base.  The…

Legal and Social Service Glossaries in Various Languages

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
The following are links to glossaries of legal terms in a variety of languages: Spanish (MA Trial Court, Office of Court Interpreter Services) Spanish  (NJ Office of the Trial Court) Vietnamese  (Washington, Office of the Administrator for the Courts) Cantonese …

An Introduction to Racial Equity Assessment Tools: Governing for Racial Equity

Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation
Overview of racial justice concepts and how to apply a racial justice lens to decision making.  It explains what a Racial Equity Impact Assessment is, why it’s important, and how decision makers can use this new tool to help reduce, eliminate and prevent racial inequities and…

Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts

Justice Department
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES NEW PLANNING TOOL TO HELP COURTS PROVIDE ACCESS TO LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT INDIVIDUALS Language Access Planning and Technical Assistance Tool for Courts (February 2014) Helpful Resource Guide (February 2014) [Editor's Note: Link is no longer…

ASAP Options -- Affordable Home and Community Based Care For Frail Elders

Deborah Liss Fins, Deborah Fins Associates, PC
Affordable Home & Community Based Care For Frail Elders --Service Offered by the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs & Aging Service Access Points. This article is posted with the permission of Deborah Fins Associates, PC. Massachusetts has a network of 27 private,…

Other Community Care Options for Frail Elders

Deborah Liss Fins, Deborah Fins Associates, PC
This article is posted with the permission of Deborah Fins Associates, PC. There are a variety of community based services available to assist elders. Some are available as part of an Aging Services Acess Points (ASAP) /state home care service plan. Some are also available independently.…

Telling Our Own Story: The Role of Narrative in Racial Healing

Rachel D. Godsil & Brianna Goodale American Healing (W.K. Kellogg Foundation)
This report explores the role of narratives in shaping racial bias. Narratives are a powerful mechanism to challenge ongoing racial discrimination.

Commonwealth Care extended to June 30, 2014 UPDATE 12-31-14

Vicky Pulos
The Commonwealth Care program was slated to end Dec. 31, 2013 with its enrollees transitioning into new coverage on Jan. 1, 2014. However, the transition did not go as planned. Commonwealth Care has been extended into June 2014. This document summarizes the situation as of February 2014. UPDATE:…

Summary of Chapter 222 of the Acts of 2012

Thomas Mela, MAC
Summary of the Provisions of Chapter 222: An Act Relative to Students’ Access to Educational Services and Exclusion from School. Chapter 222 shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

Links to Government Agencies and Health Law Resources

MLRI
The following are links to government and nonprofit agencies addressing health law issues: Government agencies: CMS: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services --  Formerly known as the Health Care Finance Administration, (HCFA) this is the federal agency the oversees Medicare,…

Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination Laws to Protect LGBT Students

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download information from GLAD's website about Massachusetts law which forbids discrimination in public schools on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.  See also GLAD's publication:  Rights…

Language Access in Your Program

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
The number of clients who are limited English proficient and eligible for legal services is steadily growing. Programs need to take proactive steps toward making their organization linguistically accessible. Here are some resources that can help. Language Access in Your Program by Moriah…

Autism Special Education Legal Support Center

Massachusetts Advocates for Children
A brochure describing the services offered by the Autism Special Education Legal Support Center (part of Massachusetts Advocates for Children). http://massadvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Autism-Brochure.pdf …

Social Security Benefits After DOMA

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
From GLAD's website: "This publication provides steps same-sex married couples can take to possibly preserve their rights to retroactive Social Security spousal or children benefits that are currently being denied because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). If DOMA is declared…

January 21 Eligibility and Enrollment Update

MLRI
Tomorrow the Governor releases his proposed budget for the next fiscal year.  Meanwhile, the health coverage landscape gets ever more confusing. Attached and reprinted below is our best effort to describe the Jan 1 transition with links to information from MassHealth & the…

Immigration Equality website

Immigration Equality
This organization provides free legal services for LGBT and HIV positive immigrants.  Click the "Go to Website" link below to view legal information on immigration issues and to contact their national hotline.

Overview of Legal Issues For Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender People

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download this document from GLAD's website.  Overview of legal issues for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Massachusetts. Issues addressed include anti-discrimination law, family law, hate crimes, sex laws, police…

2014 SSI Payment Levels; 2014 SSI and SSDI Threshold Amounts

Disability Law Center
Two charts: 2014 SSI payment levels in Massachusetts 2014 SSI and SSDI threshold amounts

Race Equity and Inclusion Action Guide

The Annie E. Casey Foundation
From the introduction: The purpose of this guide is to add to the resources already created by partners who have been working in this feld by demonstrating how a race equity lens can be adopted by foundations or other organizations that work directly with systems, technical assistance providers…

Launching and Managing a Race Equity Project in Legal Services: The Nuts and Bolts

William C. Kennedy
article we will address the challenges and opportunities presented when a program decides to implement a race conscious approach to advocacy. 

MA Agency Language Access Coordinator Contact List

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
Attached is the list of contact names and information for the Language Access Coordinators in each agency in the Executive Branch. The A&F Bulletin #16 directed all agencies in the Executive Branch to create a Language Access Plan and appoint a Language Access Coordinator.  All language…

When Is It Safe To Use Public Benefits (Public Charge Guidance)

National Immigration Law Center
Several overviews, in English and Spanish.

HUD synopsis of VAWA reauthorization in 2013

HUD
Specifically it states VAWA:   VAWA 2013 continues to bar eviction and termination due to a tenant’s status as a survivor, and requires landlords to maintain survivor-tenant confidentiality. It also continues to prohibit a tenant who is a survivor of domestic violence from…

Fact Sheet on Extension of Commonwealth Care until March 31st

Massachusetts Health Connector
Commonwealth Care has been extended until March 31st, 2014.  Fact Sheet describes new enrollment opportunities for Commonwealth Care members looking to re-enroll into ConnectorCare. UPDATE: Comm. Care extended to June 30, 2014

MAGI Adjusted MassHealth Income Charts for January and February, 2014

Vicky and Neil
Income Chart good through February 28, 2014, showing MAGI income amounts effective January 1st, 2014.

LEP Data by Income for MA Legal Services Service Areas

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
At the request of the Language Access Coalition, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) compiled data on limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and linguistically isolated families that live below a certain level of poverty.  The data also include age and language spoken of these…

Resources for Community Partners Handling SNAP Web Unit Applications

MLRI
The following is a list of information and resources for community groups who assist with SNAP applications through the Boston Web Unit. Online applications for clients living in areas covered by the following DTA offices will be handled by the Boston Web Unit: North Shore, Malden,…

Rap-Ups of a Retired Reformer: Stories About How Legal Services Advocates Transformed the Laws for Poor People in Massachusetts

Allan Rodgers
From the description on MLRI's website: "HOT OFF THE PRESS! NEW BOOK DESCRIBES HOW LEGAL SERVICES ADVOCATES TRANSFORMED LAWS FOR POOR PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS For 42 years, from 1969 to his retirement in 2010, Allan Rodgers served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Law…

Plain Language Graphics

Transcend Translations
Writing in plain language is essential for relaying information to clients in a way they can understand. Simple graphics can help! Click the "Go to Website" link below to access court and legal service related graphics.

Advocates' comments on proposed MassHealth regulations implementing ACA-related changes

various
In mid-October MassHealth released an extensive set of proposed changes to the MassHealth and Health Safety Net regulations related to implementing the Affordable Care Act and amendments to the 1115 Demonstration on  Jan. 1, 2014. These changes will end MassHealth Basic, Essential and the…

Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) Resources

MLRI
A Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) matter is a court case in which the Juvenile Court is asked to help parents and school officials supervise youth. Formally know as CHINS. There are five kinds of Child Requiring Assistance is a child at least 6 years old who: repeatedly runs away from home…

Finding Qualified Interpreters or Translators

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
In order to communicate effectively with a limited English proficient individual, it is essential that you use a qualified and trained interpreter. Attached is a list of possible resources for finding qualified interpreters and translators.

Racial Bias in American Foster Care: The National Debate

Tanya A. Cooper, Marquette Law Review
Professionals in the foster care system routinely contend that Native American and African American children are the most at-risk for child abuse and neglect, a presumption currently reflected in the system.  Based on this belief, the system removes these children from their families at rates…

Massachusetts' Transgender Rights Law

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download this document, covering what you need to know about Massachusetts' transgender non-discrimination law, from GLAD's website.

Managing Someone Else’s Money

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
From the CFPB blog: "Millions of Americans are managing money or property for a loved one who is unable to pay bills or make financial decisions. This can be very overwhelming. But, it’s also a great opportunity to help someone you care about, and protect them from scams and…

Online Multilingual Dictionaries

Lexicool.com
"Lexicool.com offers primarily a directory of all the online bilingual and multilingual dictionaries and glossaries freely available on the Internet. The directory currently has links to over 7500 dictionaries and glossaries, many of which have been created by translators working in specialist…

Merck Manual Online

Merck

Putting Race Back on the Table: Racial Impact Statements

William Kennedy, Gillian Sonnad, and Sharon Hing
From the authors: Racial impact statements explicitly consider a policy's impact on communities of color.  The process we propose for creating a racial impact statement engages community stakeholders to put officials on formal notice that the community has documented the disproportionate…

Title VI LEP Complaint Resource Center

ProJusticeMN
This website is a resource library and online tool focused on assisting attorneys and advocates file Title VI Complaints on behalf of low-income LEP clients. Advocates can create a profile on this site to easily generate a Title VI complaint against a particular agency that can then be filed with…

Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients 2013 - Free PLI Online Training

Practicing Law Institute
This free online training course is sponsored by the Practicing Law Institute. This program was developed for brand new practitioners and those who are either not familiar with the practice or have not practiced bankruptcy law since the passage of BAPCPA. The program will focus on Chapter 7…

National Center on Elder Abuse

Serving LEP Clients and Working with Interpreters 101 Training

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
The attached powerpoint training and handouts were used for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program (MLASSP) AmeriCorps member training in the Fall of 2013.  

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program: Overview and Current Issues

William R Morton, Congressional Research Service
This report provides an overview of how the Ticket to Work program operates and addresses several issues related to the Ticket program. First, it provides a brief background on the SSDI and SSI programs and a legislative history on how the Ticket program evolved. Second, this report provides an…