the connecting ottawa / connexion ottawa project

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

“We believe that the preferred solution is to provide multiple points of access to an integrated system, which, from the client’s perspective, is seamless.”

“Through partnerships, formal or informal, organizations can share expertise, pool resources (such as interpreters and technology), coordinate services, provide training, distribute legal information, and conduct outreach to target populations.”

Karen Cohl and George Thomson: Connecting Across Language and Distance: Linguistic and Rural Access to Legal Information and Services – The Report of the Linguistic and Rural Access to Justice Project to the Law Foundation of Ontario, Dec. 2008

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

A three-year Ottawa-based access to justice project, currently funded by The Law Foundation of Ontario:

for low income individuals who do not speak English or French

for low income individuals with a disability which affects their ability to communicate

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

GOVERNANCE – by an Advisory Group of partner

organizations:

Community Legal Services (Ottawa Centre) Le Conseil Economique et Social d’Ottawa-Carleton The In Community Jewish Family Services Overbrook-Forbes Community Resource Centre Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre South Ottawa Community Legal Services Social Planning Council of Ottawa Community Information Centre Ottawa / 211

Current size of network: 41 organizations

17 Community Services 10 Immigrant Services 9 Legal Services 4 Services for People with Disabilities 1 Interpretation and Translation Service

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

THE PLAN

Direct frontline community workers to the legal information and legal advice needed by their clients using our websites [connectingottawa.com ; connexionottawa.com]

Provide cross-sectoral consultation services to frontline workers using a lawyer and a social worker

Develop a pool of “trusted intermediaries” trained to support clients to connect with the legal and social services to which they are referred

Coordinate a program of public legal education for frontline workers, service providers and communities

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

THE PLAN

Promote 211 as a coordinated hub for information, assessment and referral services

Subsidize the costs of connecting a client with legal and social services: interpretation, translation and/or transportation, when necessary

Coordinate a sustainable network of community partners

Share our lessons learned

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

David Hole, Project Coordinator 613-816-0180 david@connectingottawa.com

Natalie Drolet, Lawyer 613-402-9437 natalie@connectingottawa.com

Marian Green, Social Worker 613-402-9376 marian@connectingottawa.com

THE CONNECTING OTTAWA / CONNEXION OTTAWA PROJECT

www.facebook.com/connectingottawa

@connectottawa

We Thank Our Connecting Ottawa Funders: