Hiscock Legal Aid Society Overview of Achievements, 2012-2013 Hiscock Legal Aid Society (HLAS) provides high-quality, high-volume, cost effective legal assistance to low-income residents of the central New York region, primarily Onondaga County. IOLA funding helps HLAS to handle large numbers of cases in a variety of areas in our Civil Program, with emphasis on the essentials of life : Domestic Relations, Housing and Unemployment. In 2012-13, the Society closed 1,685 civil cases. Of these, 813 were in the Matrimonial/Family areas. HLAS attorneys handled 470 housing cases and 250 Unemployment/Employment matters. The Domestic Violence Project has served over 2,700 domestic violence victims since it began in 1999. The Project s success in reaching previously underserved racial, ethnic and geographic populations in the Central New York region resulted in the award of a new Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women for the 2008-2010 grant cycle, which targets immigrant, migrant and refugee victims who have immigration legal issues. That grant was renewed for the 2010-2012 grant cycle and again for 2012-2015. 243 cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking were closed in 2012-13. 3,152 individuals benefited from the services provided by the Civil Program in 2012-13; $376,305 in back awards/ settlements and $139,716 in monthly benefits were obtained for clients and their families. As a partner in the Upstate NY Immigration Law Project in collaboration with the Legal Aid Society of Rochester (LASR) and the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, HLAS provides legal assistance in Immigration matters in a seventeen-county area of Central New York; 96 Immigration cases were handled by HLAS in 2012-13. HLAS works in close collaboration with other human services and legal services providers, especially Legal Services of Central New York (LSCNY) and the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York (LASMNY), to expand the Continued on last page Onondaga This Provider At a Glance Population Served: General Low Income Population Area Served: Onondaga County Total Funding: $1,596,726 Total IOLA Grant: $335,000 Staffing - Full Time Equivalents Total Staff: 22.10 Lawyers: 12.40 Paralegals: 4.50 Other Staff: 5.20 Types of Services Provided Direct Civil Legal Representation Brief Services Extended Services Hotlines and Other Phone-Based Services Technology and Other Innovations Community Legal Education Pro Se Assistance Collaborations With Other Service Providers Major Cases or Other Advocacy Projects Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 1
Outcomes 3,152 Individuals Benefited from 1,685 Closed Direct Civil Legal Cases Extended Representation Outcomes 287 People obtained a divorce, legal separation or annulment 254 People delayed eviction providing time to seek alternative housing 244 People obtained, preserved, or increased unemployment insurance benefits/rights 233 People prevented eviction from private housing 707 People obtained benefits from other "extended representation" Brief Representation Benefits 961 People benefited from legal advice and counsel 150 People benefited from non-litigation advocacy services 316 People benefited by referral to other sources of help Dollar Benefits Achieved for Clients - Total $3,070,470 Social Security, SSI Benefits: $127,140 Other Federal Benefits: $1,140 Unemployment Compensation: $841,301 Family Law - Child Support: $1,280,117 Family Law - Maintenance/Spousal Support: $607,636 Family Law - Equitable Distribution of Assets: $201,407 Affirmative Judgments: $3,738 Other Benefits: $7,992 Total includes back awards and total monthly benefits, estimated over 6 months (unemployment compensation), 12 months (other federal benefits, equitable distribution of assets, affirmative judgements and other benefits), 60 months (Social Security, SSI) or 120 months (child and spousal support). Examples... Outcomes for Clients client came to the Hiscock Legal Aid A Society for assistance with an unemployment benefits matter. His wife, whom he had relied on to handle all of the family s bills and paperwork, had died. Shortly after her death, the client lost his job and was granted unemployment benefits. He was subsequently accused of lying on his application and was sent notice that his benefits were terminated and he was charged for overpayment. Because of the client s inability to read and/or understand the notice, he failed to request a hearing for 11 months. In the interim, his truck was repossessed and a foreclosure action had been initiated against him. Although his request was not timely, he was granted a hearing, but was unrepresented and unsuccessful. By the time he sought our help, he was homeless and living under a bridge in Syracuse. Our attorneys filed a request to reopen the hearing, which was granted. The client s overpayment charge was reduced from 104 to 16 days; his unemployment benefits were restored and he recovered back benefits. This allowed him to pay off the outstanding balance on his auto loan and recover his truck, which enabled him to accept a new job. He enrolled in our Foreclosure Project s workshop and was restored to possession of his home. Within a matter of days, with the legal assistance provided by the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, this client went from being unemployed and living under a bridge, to recovering his Examples continued on last page Breakdown of Cases by Legal Problem Area People Cases Total 3,152 1,685 Family 1,103 639 Housing 1,031 438 Income Maintenance 329 181 Individual Rights 214 96 Other 475 331 Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 2 Family 38% Housing 26% Income Maintenance 11% Individual Rights 6% Other 19%
Other Services Technology and Other Innovations The Board s Technology Committee has begun to evaluate all current computer hardware and software. As a result, new servers have been purchased which have improved speed and efficiency and reduced downtime. We are evaluating integrated document/case management/ data base software systems with the intent of upgrading within the next year. Staff uses the resources of the Internet for research as well as for communicating with other providers through listserves. HLAS uses Lexis for on-line legal research and utilizes The Raiser s Edge a highly recommended fundraising software program for our Development Program. An upgraded telephone system gives each staff person a direct number, thereby reducing telephone traffic at the reception desk, provides caller ID, includes a Polycom sound station for conference calls and provides increased internet capacity with increased speed. HLAS recently updated and enhanced its website to make it more interactive and usable as a tool for recruitment, communication, education and fundraising. The website contains information on the services available through the Society and provides links on its website to other providers and cooperating agencies. In 2012-13, the website had over 22,325 visitors. Legal Services Other Than Direct Legal Representation HLAS regularly engages in other legal related services: Our Domestic Violence Project staff conducted numerous community education programs, including Continuing Legal Education Programs and presentations to clients and staff of shelter programs; presentations at local law firms; and working with the Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition. HLAS Attorneys participate as volunteers in the CNY Women s Bar Association s Monday Night Clinic, providing legal advice and referrals to women in Vera House s shelter program and also training other attorney volunteers. Well over 200 people were reached through these programs in this reporting period. Our Cancer Legal Advocacy & Services Project (CLASP) staff attorney, along with the attorney from our partner agency, LSCNY, has conducted outreach and education meetings with the patients and staffs of various hospitals, health centers and cancer services programs and other community organizations in the region. Approximately 250 people were reached through these presentations. HLAS Foreclosure Prevention Project attorneys, along with their counterparts from partner agency LSCNY and Home Headquarters, the housing counseling agency that partners with us, conduct twice-monthly education workshops in Onondaga County and monthly workshops in Cayuga, Cortland and Oswego counties. These workshops, entitled Foreclosure Prevention 201: The Judicial Process are aimed at providing information about the foreclosure process to homeowners who are either in, or in danger of, foreclosure. They are also the primary vehicle for screening potential clients for representation by the two agencies. Over 300 people attended these workshops in this reporting period. Upstate NY Immigration Law Project Senior Attorney James P. Tracy conducts periodic outreach at the Spanish Apostolate in Fulton, NY to reach immigrants in need of legal services, gives presentations at other workshops and participates in the Onondaga County Migrant Coalition. Approximately 60 people were reached in this reporting period. Supervising Attorney Susan Griffith conducted orientation sessions for client participants in the Volunteer Lawyer Project Pro Se Divorce Clinic and provided substantive assistance to them throughout the course of their involvement in the Clinic. Litigants use the worksheet that Ms. Griffith prepared to assist them in gathering the information and Number of People Benefited by Legal Services Other Than Direct Legal Representation Total: 24,286 People Community Legal Education: 600 People Pro Se Assistance: 1,361 People Web Usage: 22,325 People Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 3
Other Services, continued preparing the documents necessary to begin a divorce proceeding. Approximately 50 pro se litigants participated in these sessions. In addition, HLAS provides copies to clients of the Tenant's Rights Handbook developed by Supervising Attorney Susan Griffith and distributed citywide. HLAS also distributes a self-help brochure instructing clients on "How to Appeal an Unfavorable Unemployment Insurance Decision" developed by Senior Attorney Joseph LaFay, which has assisted clients in pursuing appeals that HLAS cannot handle. In 2003, an HLAS attorney participated in developing and drafting a Family Law Manual through the Parent Success Initiative Program. This Manual continues to be widely distributed to persons and agencies in the area who work with members of our target population. The manual presents an overview of the legal process as it pertains to families, and directs persons to appropriate agencies for further information and referral. Hundreds of each of these informational/self-help materials are distributed each year. Collaborations With Other Service Providers Cancer Legal Advocacy and Services Project: a collaboration between HLAS and LSCNY to provide legal assistance to cancer patients and their families in a 16-county region of central NY. Cases include guardianship, custody, wills, insurance, housing. 41 cases were closed, benefiting 96 people. Foreclosure Prevention Project: a collaboration among HLAS, LSCNY and Home Headquarters providing counsel and legal representation to persons facing foreclosure in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland and Oswego Counties. 47 cases benefited 111 people. International Victims Project: an OVW-funded collaboration between HLAS and Vera House to provide services to immigrant, migrant and refugee victims of domestic violence who also have immigration-related problems. 47 cases benefited 91 people. Parent Success Initiative: a collaboration among many human services providers, HLAS & LASMNY to provide employment services and legal assistance to non-custodial parents with the goal of helping clients to pay child support by obtaining and maintaining employment. 171 cases were closed benefiting not only the client, but often multiple mothers and children in each case. Upstate NY Immigration Law Project: a collaboration among HLAS, Legal Aid Society of Rochester and Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY providing legal assistance to immigrants in a multi-county region of western, central and northern NY. The HLAS Project attorney handled 96 cases affecting 214 people in matters such as deportation, asylum, employment authorization, legal status. Although not a formal collaboration, the Domestic Violence Project involves many DV service providers and community-based organizations representing diverse racial and ethnic communities that provide services to and referrals of clients. Project staff are active members of the Syracuse Area Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition, which promotes Sources of Funding Other 21% IOLA Grant 21% Total $1,596,726 IOLA Grant $335,000 State Funding $394,698 City and County Funding $390,748 Income from fundraising events $136,981 Other $339,299 Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 4 Income from fundraising events 9% City and County Funding 24% State Funding 25%
Other Services, continued information sharing and collaboration. Backup or Support Services In addition to education programs, HLAS attorneys regularly participate in Bar Association, VLP and Domestic Violence Coalition training programs, including preparation of materials. HLAS attorneys serve as a resource for other attorneys and service providers in the community, conducting training, answering telephone inquiries in areas of law practiced by HLAS. Attorneys also serve as mentors for pro bono attorneys and paralegals participating in VLP and in the CNY Women s Bar Association Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project and provide training to them to assist them in providing legal assistance to low income clients who cannot be served by HLAS. Pro Bono Volunteer Involvement The Hiscock Legal Aid Society does not have an independent Pro Bono program. However, the Society cooperates with the Onondaga County Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyer Project and the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York Pro Bono Program by referring clients, after screening by an attorney or paralegal, to those programs and by providing training and materials to the volunteer lawyers and paralegals as described above. HLAS had established a cooperative relationship with the 5th Judicial District Pro Bono Action Now Program to implement assignment of counsel in matrimonial cases pursuant to Section 35 (8) of the Judiciary Law. HLAS is the primary agency to receive assignments and screen potential clients and provide complete representation. Any clients that cannot be represented by the Society because of conflicts of interest were referred to the 5th Judicial District Pro Bono Action Now program for representation by pro bono attorneys who received CLE credits for the portions of the cases for which they cannot by paid under the Judiciary Law. This program was recently eliminated due to OCA budget cuts but HLAS now works directly with the matrimonial judges to assign counsel and utilize pro bono attorneys in those conflict cases. This provides representation to those who would not otherwise be able to obtain assistance. HLAS recruits clerical volunteers through job training programs; paralegal volunteers through the accredited paralegal programs in our area and through the OCBA Legal Assistants Association. Law student interns and externs are recruited and placed at HLAS through the Syracuse University Career Placement Office, Law Clinic and public interest internship programs and through postings at other law schools throughout the region. HLAS is a placement site for graduate Social Work interns through the Syracuse University School of Social Work and also receives undergraduate interns from the many colleges and universities in the region. These volunteers provide invaluable assistance to our attorney and administrative staff that aids in the efficient and effective provision of services to clients. Pro Bono Statistics During 2012-2013, the following volunteers provided services in our program: Law Students: 14 Volunteers 1,972 Hours Other Volunteers: 4 Volunteers 856 Hours HLAS cooperates with the Say Yes to Education program, an innovative collaboration with the Syracuse City School District. This program works with children in elementary school in the city school district to provide a wide range of support services to the students and their families to help the students remain in school, achieve success in school and ultimately guarantee their acceptance to a variety of participating colleges and universities. Among the services offered is legal assistance. The Hiscock Legal Aid Society is one of the providers of legal assistance to the participants and provides information and support to the pro bono attorneys who participate in legal clinics at the schools and accepts referrals of clients from them. Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 5
Outcomes for Clients continued from page 2 T truck, obtaining a job and returning to his home. he Haitian wife of a Fort Drum soldier sought to re-register for Temporary Protected Status ( TPS ) and to renew her employment authorization. The client was granted initial TPS after the earthquake and humanitarian disaster that struck Haiti in early 2010. When her status was nearing its expiration date, the Hiscock Legal Aid Society helped her to file an application to renew Snapshot of Accomplishments continued from page 1 services available in our region. Those collaborations include Cancer, Foreclosure Prevention, and Parent Success Initiative projects. IOLA funding has been crucial to the provision of direct, general civil legal services in the critical it and her employment authorization. In January 2013 the USCIS extended both. Our Project also helped her soldier husband file a spousal application for our client -- a Form I-130 -- the first step in obtaining permanent residence for her. We were able to do this while he was deployed in Afghanistan. That application was approved by the USCIS in November 2012. survival areas so important to low-income families, as well as helping to maintain the Domestic Violence, Immigration and other specialized Projects, some of which are funded in part through special grants. Hiscock Legal Aid Society - 6