MLAC estimated that its services in FY2011 resulted in at least $27,730,837 in new federal revenue coming into Massachusetts and credits its grantees with winning an additional $25,486,914 in income and savings for clients and Massachusetts, for a total of $53,217,751.
Legal Aid Attorneys
Civil Legal Aid in the United States: An Update for 2017
This report by Alan W. Houseman outlines the history of civil legal aid in the United States and highlights major developments in the field, including increases in funding and improvements in access to services between July 2015 and December 2017.
2017 LSC Justice Gap Report
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to help measure the justice gap among low-income Americans in 2017. LSC defines the justice gap as the difference between the civil legal needs of low-income Americans and the resources available to meet those needs.
The 2016 Biennial Report to Congress on the Effectiveness of Grant Programs Under the Violence Against Women Act
In response to the reporting requirements authorized by VAWA 2000, the 2016 biennial Report to Congress on the effectiveness of Grant funds under the Violence against Women act (2016 biennial Report) presents aggregate qualitative and quantitative data submitted by grantees of 23 currently and formerly authorized discretionary grant programs administered by the Office on Violence against Women (OVW). This report also presents current research on best practices to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking, which OVW uses to invest in proven strategies and solutions to further the common goal of ending domestic and sexual violence.
The Financial Cost and Benefits of Establishing a Right to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings Under Intro 214-A
Stout Risius Ross, Inc. conducted a cost / benefit analyses regarding the cost of City Council Intro 214-A, legislation that would establish a right to counsel in housing cases. The report concludes that New York City would realize a benefit from Intro 214-A of $320 million annually.
Documenting the Justice Gap in Pennsylvania
This report from the PA IOLTA Board and the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) documents the unmet need for civil legal aid in Pennsylvania in 2017. It was compiled in response to a recommendation of the Pennsylvania General Assembly that the IOLTA Board, working through PLAN, should collect data from the legal services programs on clients rejected for services to determine the actual unmet need for civil legal aid in Pennsylvania in order to better inform funding decisions.
San Mateo County Eviction Report
This report is an analysis of 3,145 eviction cases handled by the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto over a three-year period. The data provides the first attempt to evaluate eviction activity in San Mateo County on a wide scale.
How Can Legal Services Better Meet the Needs of Low-Income LGBT Seniors?
Justice in Aging published this special report to help raise awareness of the additional legal needs LGBT seniors may face that are layered on top of the more common needs of older adults. The organization proposes that because low-income LGBT older adults have lived with decades of discrimination that have led to higher rates of poverty, this group of older Americans has an even greater need for legal services to defend their rights and ensure they have access to the income supports, health care, and housing they need.
The Legal Response to the Employment Needs of Domestic Violence Victims
Runge writes that domestic violence victims present a myriad of legal needs, some of which include needing accommodations at a place of employment, like missing work to attend court or counseling or missing work due to injuries. They may exceed annual leave and be under threat of losing their jobs. Legal aid can help secure accommodations and protect them at the workplace.
Legal Representation in the Juvenile Dependency System: Travis County, Texas’ Parent Representation Pilot Project
This study examines outcomes related to a parent representation pilot program in Travis County, Texas. Researchers collected data from 172 parents involved in the juvenile dependency system. Their independent variable was attorney representation and the dependent variables were (1) return to the parent or dismissal of the juvenile dependency petition, (2) permanent management conservatorship, (3) relative or guardianship care, and (4) aging out of the system. There were 52 pilot cases and 61 control cases.
Legal Aid Research 