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Podcast on the New E-Signature Process for Social Security Information Disclosure Authorizations

ABA Health Law Section
The new electronic signature process for the authorization to disclose information to the Social Security Administration (Form SSA-827) is scheduled to begin April 21, 2012. The process was developed to comply with the laws regarding disclosure of medical and education information, including HIPAA…

Public Records Requests in Massachusetts: Sample requests and follow-up letters

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Sample record requests and successful efforts to get an agency to give information in a more timely manner The law states that records shall be produced for inspection "without unreasonable delay," and also that within 10 days' receipt of request, the record keeper must comply with the…

Inpatient Rights

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
A series of pamphlets and articles prepared by the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee on a variety of topics related to inpatient rights, including:   Admission and Discharge Rights Admission and Discharge Rights (Spanish) Hospitalization in Connection with a Criminal…

Rosie D. Website

Center for Public Representation
This website is maintained by the Center for Public Representation. It includes up to date information about the implementation of the Rosie D. class action regarding mental health screening and services for children receiving MassHealth. It also includes copies of the litigation documents.

Frequently Asked Questions: Calculating Rent for Tenants in Federal Multifamily Housing with Project-Based Section 8 subsidy

Mac McCreight, GBLS
Frequently Asked Questions: Calculating Rent for Tenants in Federal Multifamily Housing with Project-Based Section 8 subsidy Querstions include: What’s included and excluded from income in determining annual income in federal multifamily housing with a project-based Section 8…

Language Access Introduction Videos

DOJ, Legal Services of New Jersey & Northwest Justice Project
The following links are short informational videos that provide an excellent introducton to the rights that limited English proficient individuals have in the United States and the obligations that many agencies and organizations have under Title VI and Executive Order 13166. Breaking…

NELP Fact Sheet: Highlights of EEOC New Criminal Record Guidance

NELP/PLS
On April 25, 2012, the EEOC issued new guidance on the application of Title VII to criminal records.  Click the "Go to Website" link below, to access a fact sheet prepared by the National Employment Law Project, which summarizes highlights of the new guidance.  According to NELP, "The…

Teaming with an Interpreter Free Online Training Course

Speaking Your Languages
Speak Your Languages is an effort through Highline Public Schools that offers a free, online, self study training program specially designed for English-speaking users of interpretation or translation services to communicate effectively and build trust with individuals who are limited English…

The Language Access Resource Center

Empire Justice Center
"The Language Access Resource Center (LARC) provides information and resources about the rights of Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. It describe the federal and New York State laws prohibiting discrimination against LEP individuals and the obligations of recipients of federal…

Washington State Coalition for Language Access (WASCLA)

WASCLA
"WASCLA, or the Washington State Coalition for Language Access, is an organization consisting of legal professionals, advocates, law enforcement personnel, interpreters/translators, and court personnel who are dedicated to assisting state and local agencies within the State of Washington to…

Access Denied: The Unfulfilled Promise of the D.C. Language Access Act

American University Washington College of Law Immigrant Justice Clinic
D.C. Language Access Act of 2004 established a comprehensive language access law that would impose affirmative obligations on government agencies in D.C. It required that oral interpretation services for limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and that vital documents must be translated in…

National Language Access Advocates Network (N-LAAN)

N-LAAN
The National Language Access Advocates Network (N-LAAN) is a national organization that supports and engages in effective advocacy to eradicate language discrimination and promote language rights. N-LAAN provides a forum for language access advocates to develop expertise, share resources and devise…

Broken Records: How Errors by Criminal Background Checking Companies Harm Workers and Businesses

National Consumer Law Center
Mistakes on criminal background screening reports cost workers' jobs and skirt federal law (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Federal and state government and courts each have a role in improving the accuracy of background checks.Click the "Go to Website" link below to access NCLC's website and download…

Federal Laws Prohibiting Employment Discrimination; Application to Immigrant Workers

EEOC
Powerpoint slides from a presentation about EEOC’s role in supporting victims, including U-visa certification.

Benefits Planning Query Handbook (BPQY, SSA-2459) - Updated Sept 2009

SSA
The BPQY, which is part of SSA's Modernized Return to Work (MRTW) program, was designed to provide a snapshot of the beneficiary's benefits and work history as it is stored in SSA's electronic records.  Since October, 2003, all SSA offices have access to the BPQY software and can issue a BPQY report…

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Bureau of Labor Statistics

American Community Survey Data on Language Use

US Census Bureau, American Community Survey
This website has data tables, products, reports, papers, and presentations on the collection of language data through the American Community Survey. To access website click the "Go to Website" link below.

Early Intervention: Children's Issues Series

Center for Law and Education
Early Intervention (EI) in MA is a statewide, integrated, development service available to families of eligible infants and toddlers.  Family-centered services are provided under federal and state law to help children progress in their development and to enhance a family’s ability to meet…

National Center for State Courts Consortium on Language Access in the Courts

National Center for State Courts
"The Mission of the Consortium is to inspire and enable its members to promote equal access to justice in courts and tribunals by eliminating language barriers for persons with limited English proficiency." The NCSC website contains information regarding the work that individual states…

Federal and State Protections for Tenants Living in Properties That Have Been Foreclosed On

MLRI
2010 federal and state legislation gives tenants living in properties that have been foreclosed upon some additional protections during the eviction process -- including the requirement that an eviction of a bona fide tenant only be for "just cause" unless certain specified conditions are…

Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project Website

National Consumer Law Center
A website developed by the National Consumer Law Center. NCLC's Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project is a resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. This site is for people who already have student loans and want to know more about their…

Making Legal Information Readable is more than Plain Language

Caroline Robinson, MLRI
The average American reads proficiently at the 5th-6th grade level. The average American constitutes a much larger group of readers than you might think. Many of the people with whom you want to communicate effectively read at lower levels.  To get an overview of Plain Language and…

Tips for Effectively Working with an Interpreter Videos

Legal Services of New Jersey & Northwest Justice Project
The following links are short training videos provide general information on how to effectively communicate with clients who are limited English proficient (LEP), Deaf or Hard of Hearing. These videos give an overview of the role of an interpreter, modes of interpretation, and practical…

General Instructions for Completing the Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs

SSA

DTA Metrowest Community Provider Forum

DTA
Selected materials shared by DTA at recent informational sessions for providers and community partners about DTA programs, particularly SNAP. Materials include: DTA brochure -- overview of SNAP and cash assistance DTA brochure -- SNAP income eligibility chart (2011) DTA…

The Governor’s House 2 Budget Proposal for FY 2013

MMPI, Mass Budget, & MLRI
This budget brief describes the proposals in the Governor's FY13 budget which affect MassHealth (Medicaid) and other health care programs. It is the first in a series of fact sheets that will be published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) and produced by the Massachusetts…

Food SNAP Coalition Recommendation re FY2013 Budget Admin Funding

MLRI
Food SNAP Coalition letter to House Ways and Means in support of administrative funding for front line DTA staff in FY2013 state budget.

ABA Standards for Language Access in Courts

American Bar Association (ABA)
The American Bar Association House of Delegates adopted a new set of language access standards (see attached) for courts across the nation on February 6, 2012.The standards are a guide for state Courts to better assist and be more accessible to the growing numbers of limited English proficient (LEP)…

Promising Practices for Language Access in Federal Administrative Hearings and Proceedings

Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Administrative Conference of the United States and the Department of Justice put together a workshop for federal agency representatives to explore challenges and solutions to LEP individuals in administrative hearings and proceedings in hopes of helping them fulfill commitment to Executive Order…

Language Access in Court Forms

Language Access Coalition
The Language Access Coalition (LAC) is a recently formed group of legal services advocates focused on the legal rights of limited English proficient (LEP) persons. We are collecting data and examples of LEP persons’ experiences when interacting with the trial…

Rights of Massachusetts Individuals with a Representative Payee

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download an overview which includes the following information about SSI, SSDI and representative payees: What is a representative payee? When does the Social Security Administration appoint a representative payee? How is a representative…

Massachusetts Law About Immigration Consequences of State Convictions

Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
An overview prepared by the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries which links to sources regarding the consequences of Massachusetts state criminal convictions on immigration status. Click the "Go to Website" link below to access the overview from the Library's website.

Rights of Homeless Students under the McKinney-Vento Act: Children’s Issues Series

Children's Law Center
What is the McKinney-Vento Act? The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“Act”), 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq., is a federal law that is designed to ensure that homeless children and youth have the same access as other children to public education, including public preschool…

Link to National Housing Trust database on expiring properties

National Housing Trust

Access to Home-Based Mental Health Services: Children's Issues Series

Center for Public Representation
Access to Home-Based Mental Health Services Rosie D. v. Patrick and the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) For an overview of home-based behavioral health services for children available through MassHealth and how to access them, including providers by region, see:…

Child Care Questions and Answers: Children's Issue's Series

GBLS
Who oversees child care in Massachusetts? The Mass. Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licenses and regulates child care providers and administers the system for child care subsidies for parents. EEC has contracts with regional agencies called Child Care and Referral Agencies…

Cornell Employment and Disability Institute - Policy and Practice Briefs

Cornell Employment and Disability Institute
Briefs on work-related topics including vocational rehabilitation, funding of assistive technology, transition from school to work, overpayments, and state protection and advocacy programs.

SSI Payment Charts and Income Thresholds

Disability Law Center

ABA Commission on Law and Aging

ABA

Rights of Youth with Mental Health Needs Regarding Education and Special Education in Massachusetts

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
A comprehensive overview.which includes the following chapters: Eligibility Referral Evaluation IEP/ Services in School IEP Placement Options Transition Planning Chapter 688 Referral After School Programming School Disciplinary Actions Due Process…

Your Rights Under the Massachusetts Community Residence Tenancy Law

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download an overview of an individual's rights under the Community Residency Tenancy law.

Parents' How-To Guide to Children's Mental Health Services in Massachusetts

Boston Bar Association/ Children's Hospital Boston
Link to the Boston Bar Association for a copy of the third edition of this guide to mental health services for children.  According to the BBA, "[t]he Guide is designed to help parents in Massachusetts find the child mental health services and resources their children need.Practical…

Direct Express Prepaid Debit Card for Social Security, SSI, and Other Federal Payments, Consumer Fact Sheet

National Consumer Law Center

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals and Debts: Issues to Watch in Massachusetts

MLRI and Metrowest Legal Services
All Massachusetts public schools, and most charter and some parochial schools participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). School Districts sign an agreement with the MA Department of Early and Secondary Education (DESE) to administer the program and abide by the NSLP rules.The attached…

Chapter 688 Process in Massachusetts

Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
Chapter 688 provides a two-year planning process at graduation from high school or at the time when special education services end, whichever comes first. Since special education services can continue until age 22, the process is sometimes called the “Turning 22” process.  Click…

Special Education Questions and Answers: Children's Issue's Series

Mass Advocates for Children
When should a special education evaluation be considered? Students having certain problems or issues at school and/or at home may be referred for a special education evaluation. Examples of such problems include: Not going to school Aggressive behavior Throwing tantrums, acting up,…

TAFDC Caretaker Exemption: Children's Issues Series

GBLS
What is the TAFDC Caretaker Exemption Rule? Under the TAFDC work requirement rule, families must do a work activity for 20-30 hours each week (hours are based on the age of their youngest child) as a condition of receiving TAFDC. The time limit rule says that families can also receive TAFDC for…

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators

NAJIT
"The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators' (NAJIT) mission is to promote quality services in the field of legal interpreting and translating. NAJIT members play a critical role in ensuring due process, equal protection and equal access for non-English or limited…

HIV Anti-Discrimination Law in Massachusetts

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download information about Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws protecting people with HIV from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations  from GLAD's website. Also includes information on remedies for…

Massachusetts SNAP and Cash Assistance Caseload by County, City and Town - October 2011

DTA