State Agencies Gather to Collaborate to Better Serve Californians' Legal Aid Needs

State Agencies Gather to Collaborate to Better Serve Californians' Legal Aid Needs

Seventeen state agencies, including the Department of Social Services, the Civil Rights Department, and the Department of Aging, gathered in San Francisco Thursday for a convening to ideate on how government agencies can collaborate with legal aid nonprofits to provide highly effective, equitable, and enhanced services to the public. The entities specifically discussed ways to collaborate in improving legal aid services related to homelessness, mental health, immigration, and consumer protection. The interagency convening was hosted by the State Bar of California, the California Access to Justice Commission (CalATJ), and the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC).

Legal aid nonprofits are one of the principal means by which low-income and underserved Californians access government programs, making improved collaboration among state agencies and nonprofits critical.

The convening drew inspiration from the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable's (LAIR) success at the national level. LAIR convenes 28 federal agencies to improve coordination in expanding access to justice. The California interagency convening also drew on insights from the State Bar's California Justice Gap Study. Released in 2019, the study found that 55 percent of Californians-at all income levels-experienced at least one civil legal issue in the past year. It also found that Californians received no or inadequate legal help for 85 percent of their problems. A new Justice Gap Study will be released early next year.

In 2024, the State Bar of California will provide more than 100 legal aid organizations, and public defenders offices in up to all 58 counties, with more than $200 million, a record grant amount. The State Bar's Legal Services Trust Fund Commission (LSTFC) administers the grant programs. The Commission recently released its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2024-2028), which is focused on increasing access to legal aid, including through greater collaboration and coordination with a diverse range of voices, and collaborative discussions and convenings.

"As the State Bar's Legal Services Trust Fund Commission continues to provide record amounts of grant money to legal aid organizations statewide, this collaboration and continuing dialogue with our partner and state agencies will better inform all of us about increasing access to legal aid and ensuring our assistance has the maximum impact," said Erica Connolly, State Bar LSTFC Chair. "Partnerships between government and legal aid entities are essential to expanding access to critical services."

CalATJ funds and facilitates collaboration among stakeholders across California to reduce the state's civil justice gap. LAAC provides advocacy, training, and other support to over 100 legal aid providers, enabling comprehensive legal help for low-income and underserved Californians.

"We know low-income clients benefit when government and legal aid programs work together to meet their legal needs," said Catherine Blakemore, CalATJ Chair. "CalATJ is pleased to be part of this initial convening and support this important dialogue."

"We are thrilled to bring together state leaders to explore how civil legal aid can support their important work for low-income and vulnerable Californians," said Lorin Kline, LAAC Director of Advocacy. "This opportunity to collaborate and meaningfully improve access to justice and state programs is invaluable."

Special thanks to Morrison Foerster for providing support of the convening, including use of their space.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.