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MLRI REPORT: If Now Now, When? A Call to Action for Systemic Child Welfare Reform in Massachusetts

MLRI
On June 26, at an event at the Massachusetts State House, MLRI released a new report: If Now Now, When?  A Call to Action for Systemic Child Welfare Reform in Massachusetts. MLRI's report lays out a blueprint and a set of recommendations that outline how Massachusetts…

Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the Military: A Handbook for Civil Attorneys

The Battered Women’s Justice Project
Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the  Military: A Handbook for Civil Attorneys From the handbook: Victims of intimate partner violence who are military service members, veterans, or partners of service members or veterans, often have specific legal…

Online Elder Abuse Training Module for Legal Advocates

Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, in collaboration with the Access to Justice Initiative and the Elder Justice Initiative, is pleased to release the first three modules of the free Online Elder Abuse Training for legal service providers. This interactive Web-based…

National Disaster Legal Aid Website -- Materials for Legal Services Advocates, Clients

LSC, ABA, NLADA, et al
The goal of this website is To recruit and help mobilize pro bono attorneys in the aftermath of a disaster To provide accurate and timely information on legal issues related to disasters to the low and moderate income public. To serve as a centralized national resource for…

Work Incentives for Persons with Disabilities Under the Social Security and SSI Programs

James R. Sheldon, Jr., Author, NLS NY
A series of policy and practice briefs sponsored in part by the Social Security Administration and is a collaborative publication of Cornell University’s Program on Employment and Disability and Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. As of this date, the briefs include the following…

The politics of hyphenated identities

Snéha Khilay
There has been an ongoing controversy whether hyphenated identities are considered woefully inadequate to truly encapsulate a multicultural UK, where different cultures do live and work together in some form of harmony, with about 400 languages spoken in London. There is also an…

SSA andRepresentative Payment: The Rules and Policies that Apply

Linda Landry, Disability Law Center
This power point on Representative Payment is useful as a way into the regulations and POMS when representative payee issues arise. There are additional notes and citations which are viewable if you choose "notes pages". 

How to Obtain Housing Assistance in Massachusetts

MA DHCD
Published by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, this website provides information about resources for housing search, temporary housing and shelter, public and subsidized housing. Includes phone numbers of housing providers across the state.

Boston CORI Regulations

City of Boston Office of Fair Housing and Equity
Regulations issued June 3 2014 to enforce the city of Boston's CORI Ordinance. Boston is prohibited from doing business with vendors who do not comply with Boston's CORI ordinance. The ordinance only allows CORI checks when required by law, or for sensitive jobs. CORI checks are allowed only at the…

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Discrimination Database

Intl Human Rights Program, University of Toronto Faculty of Law
This database contain reports which provide extensive information on discrimination against LBGT persons in countries throughout the world. The reports were researched and compiled by volunteer law students, Through this project students provide country-conditions research memos to assist refugee…

Legal Education Guides for LEP Clients

Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, Probono.net, and LawHelpNY.org
Overview An assortment of ten guides is provided to assist individuals, particularly those with Limited English Proficiency (“LEP”), navigate the judicial system. The guides are available in English, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. The following list outlines the guides'…

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) FAQ

MLRI and GBLS
Information Regarding Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) 1. ITIN Factsheet created by National Immigration Law Center (NILC) 2. Frequently Asked Questions about Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN)* (attached) Last Updated April 2014 The…

Massachusetts Law About Same Sex Marriage

Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Click the "Go to Website" link below to access the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library website.

LGBT Youth and Schools Resources and Links

ACLU
Click the "Go to Website" link below to acces resources and links about schools issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from the ACLU's website.

House FY 2015 Budget Brief

MMPI, MassBudget & MLRI
Summary of MassHealth, Connector and Health Safety Net related provisions in the House budget bill for Fiscal Year 2015 passed on May 1, 2014.

My Ombudsman Website

Disability Policy Consortium
The Disability Policy Consortium has a contract with MassHealth to operate an Ombudsman program to assist MassHealth members having problems with their managed care plans. It was originally created to help people in One Care, an integrated managed care program for individuals with…

MassHealth-Connector Telephone Numbers & Other Resources

Office of Medicaid
The 'Support Information' tool is designed to help Navigators and Certified Application Counselors quickly find: 1.     The most direct customer service telephone number for your need; 2.     Where to Fax, Mail or Walk-in important…

Anti-Discrimination Law in Massachusetts Due to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download information from GLAD's website about discrimination on the bassis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, credit, and receiving services.  Also includes…

SSA Program Manual Operations System (POMS)

SSA
The POMS is a primary source of information used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. The public version of POMS is identical to the version used by Social Security employees except that it does not include internal data entry and sensitive content…

Building Bridges through Language Access Conference Materials

Language Access Coaltion
The following is a virtual handout including links to many useful resources compiled for the Language Access Coalition's April 4, 2014 Building Bridges Conference. Conference Materials Main Powerpoint Presentation Conference Packet General Information You are Invited to a…

MassHealth: The Basics

Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI)
The Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute released an updated version of its guide, MassHealth: The Basics, prepared by the UMass Medical Center for Health Law and Economics.  In addition to an overview of MassHealth program and enrollment trends, this version includes a charts and…

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

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.

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 …

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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.

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.

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:…

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…