Highlights

What's New?

  • To join our network of over 600 advocates, please click the "Join Us" button above or visit https://www.disasterlegalaid.org/advocates/join/. 

  • Equal Justice Works is currently conducting an expedited needs assessment survey to understand the legal needs of low-income communities affected by disaster in Colorado and California. The objective of this survey is to collect information from legal service providers in Colorado and California (those in California that did NOT previously respond to Equal Justice Works’ 2020 Disaster Needs Assessment) on the current need and their capacity to provide disaster legal services, in order to understand whether and how Equal Justice Works may help support the response of local service providers through the Disaster Resilience Program.  Equal Justice Works established the Disaster Resilience Program as a standing program mobilizing Fellows to continually address the critical legal needs that low-income communities face before, during, and after a disaster including COVID-19.  Once the survey results are collected, Equal Justice Works will determine what program strategy will be most effective and responsive and, based on the findings and available funding, may reach back out to your organization with a request for proposal to host a Disaster Resilience Program Fellow.

    Please take a few minutes to complete the needs assessment survey here on behalf of your organization. Please forward this survey to your colleagues in Colorado and California that might also be interested in hosting Fellows and can assist in this request. The survey will close on May 28, 2021. Please Note: only one survey per organization.

  • 2021 Disaster Resilience Awareness Month - Equal Justice Works, American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, American Red Cross, and the National Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center Team Up to Launch First-ever Disaster Resilience Awareness Month. Learn more here. To see the recording for the 25 Pro Tips for Working with FEMA: COVID-19 Edition webinar, please click here and for a summary of the pro tips, please click here. 

  • The National Low Income Housing Coalition publishes Challenges, Best Practices, and Policy Recommendations to Improve FEMA Programs to House People Experiencing Homelessness During. You can download the report by clicking here. 

  • The ABA Standing Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness organized a series of webinars for National Preparedness Month. You can watch the Virtual Disaster Symposium webinar recordings here. 

  • Providing Legal Assistance in the Aftermath of Disaster by the Practising Law Institute - This training enables attorneys to help serve as LEGAL FIRST RESPONDERS™ and will prepare attorneys to participate in disaster legal services pro bono efforts, including brief phone assistance, providing legal information and referral, in person assistance at know-your-rights workshops, community forums and legal aid clinics (general or subject-specific), and legal representation (limited and full scope). You can access the program on-demand HERE.

  • COVID-19 Legal Response: For advocates interested in sharing information, resources and strategies, please visit our COVID-19 Legal Response page. 
  • Amid COVID-19, ABA and Paladin launch disaster relief pro bono portal to provide free legal services
  • Figuring Out FEMA: A Trauma-informed Resource for Disaster Survivors - Download your free copy of Figuring Out FEMA, a new pocket-sized, trauma-informed visual resource for people affected by natural disasters. 

 

You put in the hours to become a legal expert. Can communities affected by natural disasters count on your skills? Visit www.disasterlegalaid.org/get-started to learn more.

New Remote Legal Support Guide

Pro Bono Net, the Immigration Advocates Network, and partners release the Remote Legal Support Guide: A Best Practices Manual for Nonprofit and Pro Bono Innovation

The Remote Legal Support Guide: A Best Practices Manual for Nonprofit and Pro Bono Innovation is a collaborative text by over 10 organizations that pools expert resources and experience and explores different ways to leverage technology and share strategies that increase rural and underserved communities' access to justice. The Guide and more background on this initiative is available here. We hope this resource is helpful for any programs considering shifting to remote support to help keep staff, clients and communities healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.