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TRANSCRIPT
Legal Services Task Force
Summary of Final Report
May 29, 2013
Agenda
● Purpose of the Legal Services Task Force
● Definition of the Issue
● Task Force Composition
● Process Overview
● Findings
● Recommendations
● Next Steps
2
Purpose
The York County Bar Association & Bar Foundation
created the York County Legal Services Task Force to
formulate a holistic, sustainable plan to increase access to
civil legal services for low income residents of York County.
3
Definition of the Issue
Adequacy of civil legal services to low income
and vulnerable persons, including citizens and
non-citizens
Financial Pressures •Severe reduction of IOLTA funding •Year over year LSC funding reductions •Year over year State funding reduced •Increased need •Political issue •Shifts in poverty •Funding is inconsistent •Less pro bono participation by new attorneys
Community Awareness •Legislators are not aware of scope •Employers not aware of total effects or resources available •Community not aware •Lack of empathy
Stressed Delivery System •System overloaded •Handoffs not efficient •Some get “lost in system” •Underutilization of technology •Inadequate pro bono referral system •Antiquated model
Definition of the Issue
Task Force Composition
Leadership Team
● Robert Woods, Chair
● Victoria Connor
● Carolyn Steinhauser
● Honorable John Uhler
Task Force Members
● Rick Azzaro
● Bill Gierasch, Esq.
● Suzanne Greist, Esq.
● Doug Hoke
6
● Lise Levin
● Wanda Noll
● Tom O’Shea, Esq.
● Bob Pullo
● Suzanne Smith, Esq.
● Rhodia Thomas, Esq.
● Honorable Craig Trebilcock
● Mary Weaver
● Kristen Woolley
● Larry Young, Esq.
Process Overview
7
Legal Services Task Force
Final Report
May 22, 2014
Task Force
Input
Regional
& National
Trends
Research
Stakeholder
Interviews
Leadership
Team
Input
Findings
● The Legal Community in York County
– Strong history of collaboration between MidPenn and the Bar
– The pro bono program has begun to stagnate
• Struggle to recruit new members of the Bar
• Challenged to increase reported hours
• Limited new programs launched
– Unable to ignite a community-wide passion for access to justice for
low income residents
● The Service Delivery Community in York County
– Strong, comprehensive network of service providers
– Feel disconnected from the legal services delivery system
– Not sure of the resources that exist, but definitely see the need
● The Business Community in York County
– Many in the business community are unaware of the depth and
breadth of services available or needed
– Past fundraising activities indicate a portion of the business
community understands the need 8
I. Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services in All Bar Sponsored and Funded Legal Services
II. Increase Community Awareness of Need for and Economic Benefits of Civil Legal Services Through Education and Advocacy
III. Increase Fundraising Capacity to Support Civil Legal Services Programs
IV. Additional Recommendations
Overview of Recommendations – 4 Categories
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services in All Bar Sponsored and Funded Legal Services
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services
Recommendation #1 – Hire a Pro Bono Coordinator
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
● Full-time position – 50% devoted to public service work on
behalf of Bar and/or advocacy for MidPenn
● Administrative support provided by the YCBA & MidPenn
● Work in both offices
● Improved communication and accountability
----------------------
● Cost: $58,500 - $71,500 per year
● Funding: YCBA/Foundation, opt-out contributions, local
foundations, fundraisers.
● Measures of Success:
– Increase in client satisfaction, access, and utilization;
– Orderly, more productive system; and
– Great engagement and satisfaction of bar and judiciary.
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services
Recommendation #2 – Increase Pro Bono Participation and
Develop a Vibrant Culture
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
● Enhance the Pro Bono Committee
● Create the Access to Justice Committee
● Work with the Judiciary to spotlight pro bono work
● Explore opportunities to leverage the reach of community partners
(FFH, WellSpan, CPC)
● Engage others in the legal field
● Explore opportunities for new projects and the use of technology
----------------------
● Cost: Minimal
● Measures of Success:
– Greater participation in pro bono activities
– New pro bono opportunities
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services
Recommendation #3 – Continue to Fund Family Law Attorney
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
● Most cost effective way to deliver civil legal services to the
underserved
● Model created in York has been recognized and replicated nationally
● Effective investment to increase access and enhance the reputation of
the York County Bar
----------------------
● Cost: $80,000 per year
● Funding Sources:
– York County Bar Association Foundation
– York County
● Measures of Success:
– Continued dedication to the needs of the most extreme Family
Law cases
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services
Recommendation #4 – Continue to Support PIRC
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Continue to
Support
PIRC
● PIRC is York County’s primary guarantor of access to justice for
immigrants in the area who are detained by ICE and facing removal
from the United States
● Since at least a portion of the need for legal services provided by
MidPenn is generated by the presence of the detention facility in York
County, it seems reasonable to approach the County Commissioners
for a significant sum to finance the work of both PIRC and MidPenn
----------------------
● Cost: $55,000 per year (based on 2013 request)
● Funding Sources:
– York County Bar Association Foundation
– York County
● Measures of Success:
– Continued dedication to the needs of the detained immigrant
population
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Increase Efficiency and Ensure Quality Services
Recommendation #5 – Support the York County Self Help Ctr.
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Continue to
Support
PIRC
● Effort being led by President Judge Linebaugh
● Will have both a physical presence and an online component
● Is another resource to help serve the needs of the underserved
----------------------
● Cost: covered by the County
● Funding Sources: York County
● Measures of Success:
– Number of clients served
– Number of clients referred to other services
Increase Community Awareness of Need for
and Economic Benefits of Civil Legal Services
Through Education and Advocacy
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Increase Community Awareness
Recommendation #6 – Coordinate a Regional Advocacy
Initiative
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
● Cooperative effort with other Bar Associations in the region
● Connect with the current statewide initiatives being led by the
Philadelphia Bar, such as the Civil Gideon efforts currently underway
● Appoint a York County rep to statewide initiatives to ensure
representation and awareness
● Engage legislators around specialized programs
----------------------
● Cost: Minimal
● Funding Sources: Minimal
● Measures of Success:
– Number of meetings with legislators
– Increased State funding for Legal Services Programs
– Participation in seminars
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase Community Awareness
Recommendation #7 – Develop a Public Service Informational
Campaign and Plan
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
● Create an awareness campaign using local media outlets and
messages customized to the stakeholder
● Create an annual “Ask a Lawyer” program
● Continue the Wills for Heroes Initiative
----------------------
● Cost: Minimal
● Funding Sources: Minimal
● Measures of Success:
– Increased participation in events
– More coverage with articles and stories
– Greater awareness
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Increase Community Awareness
Recommendation #8 – Create a Bi-Annual Community Summit
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
● Create a bi-annual summit to provide a regular opportunity to build
relationships, promote collaboration and partnerships and respond to
emergent needs
● First Summit should be held in October 2014, in conjunction with the
celebration of National Pro Bono Week
● The topic of the first Summit should be Family Stabilization
----------------------
● Cost: $3,000 - $5,000
● Funding Sources: Sponsors and registration fees
● Measures of Success:
– Participants make commitments to fund and operationalize
recommendations
– Increased awareness of impact
Increase Fundraising Capacity to Support Civil
Legal Services Programs
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Increase Fundraising Capacity
Recommendation #9 – Create a Financial Development Task
Force
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
● Assemble a small group of financially experienced, well connected
individuals with a passion for the issue be convened for the purpose of
raising awareness and funds in the business community
● Coordinated effort with the initiatives of other Bar Foundation
committees
● Involve those that made past efforts successful
----------------------
● Cost: Minimal
● Funding Sources: Minimal
● Measures of Success:
– Individuals that have participated in an awareness initiative
– Increased, sustained giving from the business community
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Increase Fundraising Capacity
Recommendation #10 – Pursue Collaborative Grant
Opportunities
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities ● Leverage the power of local partnerships
● Demonstrate a history of cooperation and successful collaborative
outcomes
● Continually monitor relevant channels for opportunities
----------------------
● Cost: Minimal
● Funding Sources: Minimal
● Measures of Success:
– Increase in funds from grants
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Increase Fundraising Capacity
Recommendation #11 – Utilize Excess Reserve Funds to
Support Civil Legal Services
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
● Much of the excess was created as a result of fees from foreclosures
● Utilizing these funds is the right thing to do
● Supports one of the strategic imperatives of the YCBA strategic plan
----------------------
● Cost: Amount to be determined
● Measures of Success:
– Commitment of funds to support programs and these
recommendations
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
Increase Fundraising Capacity
Recommendation #12 – Designate a Portion of the
Endowment to Support Civil Legal Services
Utilize
Endowment
Funds
● Supports one of the strategic imperatives
● Could be used as seed money for matching donations
----------------------
● Cost: Amount to be determined
● Measures of Success:
– Commitment of funds to support programs and these
recommendations
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
Utilize
Endowment
Funds
Increase Fundraising Capacity
Recommendation #13 – Explore Opportunities for Co-location
Explore Co-
location
Opportunities
● Explore opportunities that enhance access and quality while reducing
cost
● Capitalize on potential synergies
----------------------
● Cost: Amount to be determined
● Measures of Success:
– Lower overhead
– Increased interaction between staff
– Increased efficiencies
Additional Recommendations
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
Utilize
Endowment
Funds
Explore Co-
location
Opportunities
Local
Attorney to
Oversee
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Additional Recommendations
Recommendation #14 – Retain A Local Attorney to Oversee
Implementation
● Retain a passionate, engaged, knowledgeable, respected member of
the York County legal community
● Work part-time to oversee the implementation of the above
recommendations
----------------------
● Cost: $10,000 per year
● Funding Sources: York County Bar Association Foundation
● Measures of Success:
– Successfully implemented plan
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
Utilize
Endowment
Funds
Explore Co-
location
Opportunities
Local
Attorney to
Oversee
Utilize
Strategic
Process
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
Additional Recommendations
Recommendation #15 – Develop and Agree to Use a
Strategic Process
● Utilize a strategic process to ensure the system in place affords all
voices the opportunity to be heard
● Allows us to be more flexible and more proactively identify and
address emerging issues
----------------------
● Cost: $2,000
● Funding Sources: York County Bar Association Foundation
● Measures of Success:
– Successfully implemented plan
Support
York
County
Self Help
Center
Hire a Pro
Bono
Coordinator
Continue to
Support
PIRC
Coordinate
a Regional
Advocacy
Initiative
Increase
Pro Bono
Participation
Develop an
Awareness
Campaign
Continue
to Fund
Family
Law
Attorney
Create a
Bi Annual
Summit
Pursue
Collaborative
Grant
Opportunities
Utilize
Excess
Reserve
Funds
Utilize
Endowment
Funds
Explore Co-
location
Opportunities
Local
Attorney to
Oversee
Utilize
Strategic
Process
Create a
Financial
Development
Task Force
The Puzzle is Almost Complete…But Not Quite…
Questions? Comments?
Next Steps York County Bar Association & Foundation
Legal Services Task Force Recommendation Implementation Timeline
2013 - 2015
Recommendation Responsible 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr.
Hire a Pro Bono Coordinator Connor 5,833$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$ 17,500$
Increase Pro Bono Participation and Develop a Vibrant Pro
Bono CultureTBD
Create a Financial Development Task Force TBD
Develop a Public Service Informational Campaign and Plan Connor
Develop and Agree to Use a Strategic Process in the
FutureConnor
2,000$
Coordinate a Regional Advocacy Initiative TBD -$
Support the York County Legal Self Help Center Connor -$
Pursue Collaborative Grant Opportunities TBD -$
Utilize Excess Reserve Funds to Support Civil Legal
Services/Access to Justice Initiatives Connor
Retain the Services of a Local Attorney to Oversee
Implementation of the RecommendationsConnor
2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$ 2,500$
Continue to Fund a Family Law Attorney Position at
MidPennConnor
80,000$ 80,000$
Continue to Fund the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource
CenterConnor
??? ???
Specifically Designate a Portion of the Endowment to
Support Civil Access to Justice Programs in York CountyConnor
Create a Bi Annual Community Summit TBD 5,000$
Explore Opportunities for Co-location and Optimal Use of
SpaceConnor
Total Quarterly Costs -$ 7,833$ 100,000$ 20,000$ 25,000$ 20,000$ 100,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$
Total Annual Costs 7,833$ 165,000$ 160,000$
2013 2014 2015