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Fact Sheet on Extension of Commonwealth Care until March 31st

Massachusetts Health Connector
Commonwealth Care has been extended until March 31st, 2014.  Fact Sheet describes new enrollment opportunities for Commonwealth Care members looking to re-enroll into ConnectorCare. UPDATE: Comm. Care extended to June 30, 2014

LEP Data by Income for MA Legal Services Service Areas

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
At the request of the Language Access Coalition, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) compiled data on limited English proficient (LEP) individuals and linguistically isolated families that live below a certain level of poverty.  The data also include age and language spoken of these…

Rap-Ups of a Retired Reformer: Stories About How Legal Services Advocates Transformed the Laws for Poor People in Massachusetts

Allan Rodgers
From the description on MLRI's website: "HOT OFF THE PRESS! NEW BOOK DESCRIBES HOW LEGAL SERVICES ADVOCATES TRANSFORMED LAWS FOR POOR PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS For 42 years, from 1969 to his retirement in 2010, Allan Rodgers served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Law…

Plain Language Graphics

Transcend Translations
Writing in plain language is essential for relaying information to clients in a way they can understand. Simple graphics can help! Click the "Go to Website" link below to access court and legal service related graphics.

Advocates' comments on proposed MassHealth regulations implementing ACA-related changes

various
In mid-October MassHealth released an extensive set of proposed changes to the MassHealth and Health Safety Net regulations related to implementing the Affordable Care Act and amendments to the 1115 Demonstration on  Jan. 1, 2014. These changes will end MassHealth Basic, Essential and the…

Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) Resources

MLRI
A Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) matter is a court case in which the Juvenile Court is asked to help parents and school officials supervise youth. Formally know as CHINS. There are five kinds of Child Requiring Assistance is a child at least 6 years old who: repeatedly runs away from home…

Finding Qualified Interpreters or Translators

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow, VLP
In order to communicate effectively with a limited English proficient individual, it is essential that you use a qualified and trained interpreter. Attached is a list of possible resources for finding qualified interpreters and translators.

Racial Bias in American Foster Care: The National Debate

Tanya A. Cooper, Marquette Law Review
Professionals in the foster care system routinely contend that Native American and African American children are the most at-risk for child abuse and neglect, a presumption currently reflected in the system.  Based on this belief, the system removes these children from their families at rates…

Massachusetts' Transgender Rights Law

GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
Click the "Go to Website" link below to download this document, covering what you need to know about Massachusetts' transgender non-discrimination law, from GLAD's website.

Online Multilingual Dictionaries

Lexicool.com
"Lexicool.com offers primarily a directory of all the online bilingual and multilingual dictionaries and glossaries freely available on the Internet. The directory currently has links to over 7500 dictionaries and glossaries, many of which have been created by translators working in specialist…

Managing Someone Else’s Money

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
From the CFPB blog: "Millions of Americans are managing money or property for a loved one who is unable to pay bills or make financial decisions. This can be very overwhelming. But, it’s also a great opportunity to help someone you care about, and protect them from scams and…

Merck Manual Online

Merck

Putting Race Back on the Table: Racial Impact Statements

William Kennedy, Gillian Sonnad, and Sharon Hing
From the authors: Racial impact statements explicitly consider a policy's impact on communities of color.  The process we propose for creating a racial impact statement engages community stakeholders to put officials on formal notice that the community has documented the disproportionate…

Title VI LEP Complaint Resource Center

ProJusticeMN
This website is a resource library and online tool focused on assisting attorneys and advocates file Title VI Complaints on behalf of low-income LEP clients. Advocates can create a profile on this site to easily generate a Title VI complaint against a particular agency that can then be filed with…

Bankruptcy Basics for Low-Income Clients 2013 - Free PLI Online Training

Practicing Law Institute
This free online training course is sponsored by the Practicing Law Institute. This program was developed for brand new practitioners and those who are either not familiar with the practice or have not practiced bankruptcy law since the passage of BAPCPA. The program will focus on Chapter 7…

National Center on Elder Abuse

Serving LEP Clients and Working with Interpreters 101 Training

Moriah Nelson, Language Access Fellow
The attached powerpoint training and handouts were used for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance for Self-Sufficiency Program (MLASSP) AmeriCorps member training in the Fall of 2013.  

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program: Overview and Current Issues

William R Morton, Congressional Research Service
This report provides an overview of how the Ticket to Work program operates and addresses several issues related to the Ticket program. First, it provides a brief background on the SSDI and SSI programs and a legislative history on how the Ticket program evolved. Second, this report provides an…

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. - 

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

Authorization for Law Student Representation

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

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,…

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…

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.