Page 256 - 2024 Orientation Manual

Steering Team worked closely with courts, libraries, community organizations and leaders in the
areas to secure support, assess the legal needs of community members, educate staff of existing
partners, identify locations to launch the access points, and ensure the initiative is community-led
once launched. “Legal Help Access Points” have been launched in the East Carroll Parish Library,
the Concordia Parish Library Vidalia Branch, and the LaSalle Community Action Association in
Harrisonburg, Louisiana. The JFA Team is currently assisting with establishing an Access Point
in Jefferson Parish and evaluating other locations in St. Bernard and Beauregard Parishes for
additional access points.

In addition to physical access point locations, the JFA Team has begun quarterly “Law Talks”,
which are virtual presentations on important legal topics hosted by legal aid & volunteer attorneys.
Presentations will be via Zoom & streamed on the Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries Facebook page.
Topics covered included Custody, Divorce, and Small Successions. A Law Talk on Social Security
and Medicaid will be held on April 12, 2023, and a presentation on disaster issues is scheduled for
July 19, 2023.

The Louisiana Justice for All Project is a nationally recognized and award-winning program after
receiving the prestigious Harrison Tweed Award from the American Bar Association in 2023.

Community Outreach and Education Committee

Formed as a result to carry forward the strategic priorities and goals from the first Conclave, the
Community Outreach and Education Committee is tasked with the following:
▪ understanding community needs through sharing previously collected data by partners;
▪ expanding community education trainings to ensure the recognition of legal issues by
community partner organizations;
▪ developing partnerships between legal aid and non-legal organizations like United Way;
and
▪ creating a comprehensive marketing plan to inform the public about available resources
and legal help.

Since its first meeting in July 2023, the Committee has carried forward the first three goals listed.
In an effort to train community partners on navigating civil legal needs, the committee created an
education working group which has developed and delivered presentations to 211, VIA Link, and
LSU with additional trainings requested. The trainings focus on how to identify someone with a
potential civil legal needs and where to direct them to get help.

Funding Committee
The mission of the Funding Committee is to promote appropriate funding of the Louisiana Civil
Justice System. The focus is on state and federal funding issues.

State Appropriations
Past efforts of the ATJ Funding Committee have focused on a state appropriation for the
Louisiana Legal Services Programs. These efforts were successful for several years with

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