How to develop and implement medical-legal partnerships to address housing and other social needs of people experiencing homelessness

Friday, June 3, 2016: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Pavilion Ballroom East (Hilton Portland)
Individuals who are homeless experience legal issues that can impact their ability to receive health care services and maintain proper health. The types of criminal and civil legal issues among populations experiencing homelessness vary, and if left unaddressed, may prolong homelessness. Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) can help close the gap between these legal issues and good health by ensuring patients have access to appropriate legal assistance integrated into their primary health care setting. During this interactive Learning Lab will attendees will learn all stages of developing an MLP with the focus on planning, implementing and sustaining an MLP across a range of populations and settings. Participants will use the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership's Toolkit to identify steps plan a new MLP, or re-boot or expand an existing MLP. Team members from the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership will guide participants in understanding the transformation of legal aid and healthcare practice triggered by MLP, and how it can leverage and grow legal aid resources and capacity, including pro bono and law schools. HCH health care providers will serve as peer guides and share their experiences with developing MLPs in various. settings to address the legal needs of vulnerable children, families, and specifically patients who receive services at Health Care for the Homeless health centers. The Learning Lab will set the stage for structured, open on-going technical for all interested HCH sites during 2016-17.
Speakers:
Charita McCollers, MSW, LCSWA (Social Worker, Lincoln Community Health Center)
Ellen Lawton, JD (Co-Principal Investigator, The National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership)
Brian D. Johnston, MD, MPH (Chief of Service, Department of Pediatrics, Harborview Medical Center)
Madlyn C. Morreale, JD, MPH (Supervising Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership Program, Legal Aid of North Caroline, Inc.)
Darlene M. Jenkins, DrPH (Senior Director of Programs, National Health Care for the Homeless Council)
See more of: Learning Lab