2017 NLADA Annual Conference

The purpose of this interactive workshop is to raise awareness about the complexities that individuals involved with the criminal justice system encounter when released from jail or prison and to offer an additional perspective when crafting policy recommendations. Participants will experience challenges to successful reentry that individuals recently released from incarceration face, especially men and women who are homeless and have mental health issues. As a result of this simulation experience, individuals will be able to advance equitable justice under a system that does not afford individuals involved with the criminal justice system the opportunity to access adequate services necessary to live a productive life post-incarceration. Participants will leave with an understanding of how to apply the principles of economic justice to the work in their field in ways that will provide sufficient opportunities for recently released individuals with mental illnesses and/or who are homeless to be successfully reintegrated into society.

Participants will learn specific tips and actions to recruit and retain client board members. This will involve specific recruiting techniques, training needed for client board members, and how to successfully integrate client and attorney board members to have a high functioning board of directors. We will address some of the specific LSC requirements, including 1607 on recruiting and selection of client board members, how to involve clients in the mandatory community assessment, and other areas where clients can be very helpful, including customer satisfaction, developing meaningful outcomes, and fundraising. An electronic toolkit will be made available to participants.

Hear about the top issues our group is addressing now.

The first session provides participants with tools and opportunities to understand implicit bias. Participants will examine the ways that society, organizations, and communities reinforce notions that some people are throw-away people. This is the first step to resisting the unspoken hierarchy that some people are less than others and some communities more deserving than others. Join us to understand how implicit bias reinforces ideas that some people, based on race, gender, and income, are more valued than others.

Do you know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare? Need help understanding health care programs? Join us to learn about (1) who is eligible for Medicaid and Medicare; (2) what services they can get; and (3) important protections for consumers. We will also discuss how personal health information for patients is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This panel will explore cutting edge topics in housing with a focus on the rights of seniors, people with disabilities, and people who have come in contact with the criminal justice system. Panelists will first present a broad national framework for these issues and discuss what is at risk on a federal level. We will then identify how policies play out locally and what participants can do to defend and expand their rights. Interaction with panelists and each other is highly encouraged, and we will reserve time during the session to share strategies and ideas to make housing rights real.

This second session provides participants with an opportunity to practice the skills needed to effectively use their individual and collective voices to promote equal justice. Participants will practice addressing social assumptions about people with low-income or no income, women, and people of color. This interactive workshop will help participants to inspire a shared vision that forcefully promotes the full humanity and dignity of all people. Join us for a session to practice resisting oppression by speaking with courage to build racial justice and equity.

This session is an annual tradition where LSC hears directly from client board members in the field. We will share what has been done over the past year based on client board member recommendations and listen to client board members' new ideas and recommendations. This year, we specifically want to get feedback on Section 1607 because LSC is considering revising this regulation that addresses how client board members are selected. This is based on feedback in prior sessions. LSC will also report on the client involvement in program visits and discuss ongoing client engagement.

Civil legal services providers are often limited in who and how many people they can help – either due to resource constraints, prioritization of legal needs, or rules around their activities. What are low-income community members to do when there just aren’t enough free or low-cost resources available to help them with their civil legal needs? This session will explore how legal aid clients have moved beyond their local service provider to become their own advocates, working to empower others with similar legal issues, and seeking outside pro bono help. Join us for an open dialogue and brainstorming session about where people can get help for their unmet civil legal issues.