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Launching a Race Equity Project in the City of Angels

Nicole M. Perez, Sotivear Sim, Angela Turner, and Silvia Argueta
This is a case study about Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles launching a racial justice project. Dubbed the “Race Equity Initiative,” the project was created so that we, a large and diverse legal services organization, could become more fluent in the changing conversation about racial…

COMMUNITY LAWYERING – THE ROLE OF LAWYERS IN THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT

Charles Elsesser
Within the past decade there has been a renewed interest in a style of practice we call “community lawyering.” I use the term “renewed” because it involves a return to some of the values and practices of legal advocates in prior mass struggles, such as the labor…

Resources for Legal Interpreting on Skill Building and Certification

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
1. The National Center for State Courts website offers resources for interpreters who are looking to improve their legal interpreting skills, glossaries, self-assessments, exam preparation materials, information about how to become a court certified interpreter and much more. 2. The Minnesota…

A National Call to Action: Access to Justice For Limited English Proficient Litigants: Creating Solutions to Language Barriers in State Courts

National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
"This publication represents the culmination of a multi-year National Center for State Courts (NCSC) project aimed at addressing Limited English Proficient challenges in the courts. The project is funded by the State Justice Institute and consists of a pre-summit assessment of courts, a summary…

A Road Map through the Criminal Justice System for Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families

NAMI, Massachusetts
From the introduction to the guide: "This guide is for people with mental illness, their families and their loved ones. In times of crisis, far too often families are uninformed and lose the opportunity to help prevent arrest, jail, and even prosecution, when their loved one…

Part D and Prescription Advantage

Medicare Advocacy Project, Community Legal Aid, Worcester
This beneficiary alert provides information about Medicare Part D, enrollment periods, and Prescription Advantage.

State Law Guide--Housing Discrimination for Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence

Legal Momentum Womens Legal Defense and Education Fund
Many domestic violence victims report losing their housing due, at least in part, to the violence in their lives.  Several jurisdictions have enacted laws specifically indicating that domestic violence victims are protected from housing discrimination. - 

Language Access Tools for Courts and Court Programs

Maria Mindlin, Transcend and Moriah Nelson, VLP
The ABA Standards for Language Access in Courts was adopted in February 2012, this article highlights several of the standards that courts should follow to be accessible to limited English proficient clients and some tools that courts can adapt and use to increase language access.

Immigration Links -- Legal Resources

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
The following are legal resources related to Immigration law: American Immigration Council: -Practice Advisories: Address issues such as filing a petition for review, rescinding an in absentia order of removal, filing mandamus, protecting the voluntary departure period on…

Learn to Write Documents your Clients Really Understand - Webinar Materials

Immigration Advocates Network (IAN)
The Immigration Advocates Network hosted a free webinar, "Learn to Write Documents your Clients Really Understand," on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Highly readable text increases comprehension and lowers error rates. It also saves you time and money on translation. Make life easier; learn the 4 elements…

Working with LEP Clients & Interpreters

GBLS
This training was designed to train summer interns and volunteers at GBLS on role of an interpreter, best practices on working with interpreters and interpreting. Find handouts, powerpoint and role play script attached. This training is a guide that can be edited, adapted and used to conduct a…

Main Provisions in the Senate Welfare Bill, S. 1806

MLRI
Summary of the changes and new provisions.

Authorization for Law Student Representation

VLP
Consent form for law student to represent client in as case.

Divorce Judgement Nisi Closing Letter

Sandy Yeung, GBLS
Letter to send to client when divorce cases has gone to judgement and nisi has issued. Text of letter says: Dear _____________: I am writing regarding your divorce case. I am sending you two (2) copies of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi. The divorce judgment will be final ninety (90) days from…

Client Rejection Letter

VLP
This letter has a variety of reasons that you may need to send a client a rejection letter, numbered so that you can identify the sentences in other languages. Delete the numbered sentences that do not apply to your letter and add the personalized information in order to send.

Client Authorization for Release of Information

VLP
This document is a client authorization for releasing information to legal counsel.

Resources on the Definition of LEP for Data Collection Purposes

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey and Puerto Rico Community Survey 2013 Subject Definitions defines "Limited English speaking households" as those in which "no one 14 and over either (1) speaks English at home or (2) speaks a language other than English at home and speaks English…

Please Call Me Form Letter to Client

VLP
This letter has a variety of reasons that you may need a client to call you, numbered 1-10 so that you can identify the sentences in other languages. Delete the numbered sentences that do not apply to your letter and add the personalized information in order to send.

HAVE NO LGBTQ YOUTH CLIENTS? THINK AGAIN: WHAT EVERY ATTORNEY REPRESENTING YOUTH NEEDS TO KNOW

Vicki Henry

Statement Regarding Provision of Client's Own Interpreter

LAFLA
This document can be used when a client decides that they would like to use their own interpreter, who does not work for the legal service agency and may not be trained or qualified. The document also includes a place for the interpreter to sign in regards to confidentiality. Fill in the…

Language Access and Working with an Interpreter 101 Training

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
Attached is a powerpoint presentation that was used for a basic training on language access and working with limited English proficient populations in March 2013. Powerpoint is adapted from training compiled by Ann Kim, LAFLA and Amy Taylor, LSNYC for NLADA Conference 2012

Have No LGBTQ Youth Clients? Think Again: What Every Attorney Representing Youth Needs to Know

Vicki Henry
Boston Bar Journal article focuserd on LGBT youth, but many same principles apply to representation and invisibility of of LGBT adults.

Importance of Choice of Provider and Treatment

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee

Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence or Stalking Form

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
Attached is the VAWA certification form promulgated by HUD. If someone claims protection under VAWA they need to submit this form or otherwise ask for protection.

Fair Employment Project -- Massachusetts

FEP
This project provides information and referrals to Massachusetts workers with employment civil rights issues.  Click the "Go to Website" link below to access information on the following topics: I've lost my job.  What do I do now? I'm…

Resource List for Interpreters

Isabel Framer, Language Access Consultants
The attached list of resources was developed to assist interpreters in accessing resources to expand their legal vocabulary and practice their interpreting skills.

Legal Terminology and English Idioms for Interpreters

Isabel Framer, Language Access Consultants
When interpreting, there are often words that do not have an equivalent in the target language, especially in a legal setting. A well trained interpreter will have a running glossary of terms. It is essential that the interpreter understand what the term means in English first before being able to…

Interpreter Training Programs & Associations

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
The below resources are a great place for interpreters and translators to find training opportunities and to connect with other professionals in their field. These are also excellent resources for advocates who are looking to find interpreters or create an interpreter list for their…

Tip Sheet for Interpreters

Maryland Legal Aid
This document was designed as an interpreting crash course for advocates who were to be used as interpreters. This is a guide that can be edited to fit your organization's training needs.

Boston Interpreters Collective

Boston Interpreters Collective
The Boston Interpreters Collective is dedicated to promoting a multi-lingual society by eliminating language barriers and building community. They work toward social justice by supporting community organizing through their interpretation services and language classes and popular education workshops.…

Working with an Interpreter Tip Sheets

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
Click the links below for several tips sheets on how to work with an interpreter and more effecively communicate with LEP clients. Working with Interpreters: 10 Important Tips for Communicating with Clients with Limited English Proficiency created by Greater Boston Legal Services,…

Communicating with Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Tip Sheet

Moriah Nelson
The attached document is a tip sheet for how to more effectively communicate with clients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Click "Go to Website" below to access the a short training presentation produced by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

ILR Language Proficiency Self-Assessment

Interagency Language Roundtable
The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) created the ILR Language Proficiency Scale as a tool to measure linguistic proficiency of United State Government employees by an objective system applicable to all languages. This is not a test to critique your language proficiency, rather a helpful tool…

List of MA GAL's and their Experience with Cases Involving Gay/Lesbian Parents, Non-Traditional Families, Gender Identity Issues or a Transgender Person

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression, has an entire page of resources dedicated to Representing Transgender Clients in…

Language Access Plan and Protocol Template

Moriah Nelson
Any organization that interacts with limited English proficient clients and populations should have a Language Access Plan & Protocol, especially if it receives federal funding (directly or indirectly). The purpose of a Language Access Plan & Protocol is to identify your organization's…

Center on Court Access to Justice for All

National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
This website is a project of the National Center for State Courts and provides resources regarding access to justice. This particular section focused on resources for making courts more accessible to LEP Self-Represented Litigants. Click "Go to Website" below to access the…

National Survey of Service Providers on Police Response to Immigrant Crime Victims, U Visa Certification and Language Access

Natalia Lee, Daniel J. Quinones, Nawal Ammar & Leslye E. Orloff
Overview The National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project at American University Washington College of Law conducted a nationwide survey of immigrant victim’s advocates and attorneys to learn about the experiences of immigrant and Limited English Proficiency (“LEP”) victims…

Cultural and Linguistic Competency Resources

American Immigrant Policy Portal
The American Immigrant Policy Portal is a website that provides digests of major reports and studies focusing on policy options and model practices designed to promote immigrant integration, intergroup understanding, economic revitalization, and organizational success. "Due to cultural…

Out in the Cold: Homeless Children in Crisis in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
From the Executive Summary of the report: "In September 2012, Massachusetts imposed new restrictions on eligibility for emergency shelter for homeless families with children. Under the new regulations, many families are not eligible for shelter until they become so desperate that their…

A Quick Look at the (Massachusetts) Legislative Committee Structure

Boston Bar Association
Click the "Go to Webiste" link below to access an informative blog post with an overview of the legislative committee structure in Massachsuetts,

CPCS Immigration Impact Materials / Legal Resources

Committee for Public Counsel Services
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Immigration Impact Unit’s website contains many legal resources including CPCS intake form, practice advisories, training materials, newsletters, litigation materials, and information about upcoming trainings.  To access the website, click the Go To…

BC Post-Deportation Human Rights Project / Legal Resources

BC Post-Deportation Human Rights Project
The Post-Deportation Human Rights Project, based at the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Boston College, is a pilot program designed to address the harsh effects of current U.S. deportation policies. See the Post-Deportation Human Rights Project's website for legal resources…

Fax Cover Sheet for Submitting SNAP Verifications to DTA

MLRI
Here's a sample cover sheet to use when sending on documents to DTA for a SNAP application.  It can help you identify what documents were sent, what eligibility factors they verify and if certain information can be self-attested under the SNAP rules. Make sure to save all fax receipts…

MPI Limited English Proficient Census Data and MPI LEP Data Brief

Migration Policy Institute National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy
"Today, 25.2 million individuals over the age of 5 in the United States (9 percent of the total population) have limited proficiency in English, compared with 14 million (6 percent of the total population) in 1990. This growth has been accompanied by a broad-ranging dispersal of immigrants and…

Rebuttal to Recent Press Reports of SNAP/Food Stamp Waste: No Recipient Fraud or Fault in SNAP Overpayment

MLRI
Recent news reports suggest ongoing waste of taxpayer dollars and mismanagement by DTA of the SNAP (food stamps) program, including a $27M overpayment of federal funds. Here’s what you need to know. • There was NO fraud and NO fault on the part of SNAP recipients involved. All of the…

Consumer Control of Mental Health Information

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee

Inspector General's Paper Chase Did NOT Find Fraud or Waste

MLRI
On January 30, 2013, the Office of the Massachusetts Inspector General issued a report called "Review of Eligibility for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program."  Although the report found gaps in the Department of Transitional Assistance record keeping for cash assistance…

Give Them Shelter: The Crisis for Homeless Children in Massachusetts

MLRI,
From MLRI's website: "Effective August 6, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) implemented new regulations that deny the vast majority of homeless families with children access to emergency shelter through the Emergency Assistance program. Public…

Intersections among Emergency Assistance, HomeBASE, and RAFT

MA Coalition for the Homeless
MA Coalition for the Homeless has created a chart illustrating the relationship between EA, RAFT and HomeBASE..  Click the "Go to Website" link below to download the chart from MCH's website.

2013 SSI Payment Levels; 2013 SSI and SSDI Threshold Amounts

Disability Law Center
Two charts:   2013 SSI payment levels in Massachusetts 2013 SSI and SSDI threshold amounts