Researchers conducted a cost-benefit analysis with a secondary data from a legal aid program that helped with health-related issues, such as medication coverage, Social Security benefits, and Medicaid reimbursement. The researchers found that 25.5 percent of the closed cases resulted in a win for the client; 42.7 percent of the closed cases were referred to the appropriate legal aid entity; and 18.7 percent were lost to follow up or closed due to a changing need. Only 13.4 percent of cases were lost for the client.
Audience
Older African American Women and Barriers to Reporting Domestic Violence to Law Enforcement in the Rural Deep South
The main reasons for not going to law enforcement when experiencing abuse was fear of being stigmatized by their church, family, and community. The researchers reviewed data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and conducted fieldwork in four rural counties in the Black Belt of Alabama. They find that when women feel more independent, which can be furthered by legal services such as assisting with benefits and outreach, they were more likely to come forward to seek out law enforcement.
Needs of Homeless Veterans: 5 Years of the CHALENG Survey 2012-16
Researchers find that the needs of homeless veterans has remained relatively consistent through the last five years of the CHALENG survey, pointing to the long-term needs of homeless veterans. At the top of the list is the need for legal assistance.
Needs and Issues of Latino and Native American Nonparental Relative Caregivers: Strengths and Challenges within a Cultural Context
This study interviewed Latino and Native American grandparents about their social and legal needs. In interviews conducted with Native American caregivers, the article noted “legal custodial issues as critical” and “reported legal aid as a significant need” (p. 364). For those interviewed, Native American grandparents reported a median income of $1,300.
Meeting the Legal Needs of Human-Trafficking Survivors
Byrne outlines the legal needs of human trafficking survivors (including expungement or vacatur, trauma-informed representation, autonomy, etc.), the challenges faced by lawyers who represent trafficking survivors, poses an argument for self-directed representation of survivors who are minors, and offers guidance for lawyers who seek to serve this population.
Medical-Legal Partnerships At Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Improved Housing And Psychosocial Outcomes For Vets
Researchers analyzed data from 950 veterans who used serviced provided at four MLPs. They find that veterans most frequently reported problems related to benefits, housing, family, and consumer finance. After receiving services through a MLP, the veterans experienced improvements in housing, income, and mental health.
Legal Services Assessment for Trafficked Children
Researchers at the Center for the Human Rights of Children conducted a survey with professionals working in and around Cook County, IL who provided services to human trafficking survivors. They find that 85 percent of service providers report access to legal services as “critical” for child trafficking survivors.
High Quality Legal Representation for All Parties in Child Welfare Proceedings
This ACF memo encourages child welfare agencies, courts, administrative offices of the courts, and Court Improvement programs to ensure that parents, children, and child welfare agencies receive high quality legal representation at all stages of child welfare proceedings.
The Future of Legal Services in Oregon
In the advent of online access to limited legal services, Oregon examines its civil legal aid system and assembled two task forces — the Legal Innovations Committee and the Regulations Committee — to create recommendations of how the state can incorporate online resources and the provision of limited-legal services into its civil legal aid system.
Economic Return on Investment of Providing Counsel in Philadelphia Eviction Cases for Low-Income Tenants
In this economic return on investment study of providing legal counsel for those in eviction cases, Stout Risius Ross found that establishing a right to counsel would help the city avoid $45.2 million in costs annually, while the total cost to provide representation is $3.5 million. They analyzed docket data to assess the impact representation would have on the outcome of an eviction case. They analyzed the distribution of outcomes, the incremental impact of representation, and a repeat case analysis.
Legal Aid Research 