2019 NLADA Annual Conference-Innovative Justice

Medical Legal Partnerships (MLPs) have gained momentum in the legal services world. They typically occur in clinical medical settings including hospitals, HRSA funded health clinics, Veterans Health Administration facilities, and behavioral health organizations. Come to learn about a county-wide MLP model in Washtenaw County, Michigan, as well as a community-based model that takes doctors and lawyers on the road in Baltimore and across Maryland. By integrating legal and medical services in communities, common obstacles faced by low-income individuals, such as lack of health insurance, inability to access transportation, poorly functioning municipal services, and substance abuse, can be readily addressed. Examples include smoking cessation programs at public housing units, expungement clinics at drug treatment centers, presentations during women’s health screenings at sex worker outreaches, and medical screenings in public library clinics. Join us to hear from medical and legal staff about the power of these partnerships.