What $36 Million?
February 1, 2007
News reports indicate that there is “$36 million in the state budget for civil legal services.” What they count in the $36 million includes IOLA funding (at a hoped for $17 million) what we think is DAP $6.74 million, but they call it TANF; some federal Commission of Quality of Care funds and the general fund support of $4.6 million and the new $5 million proposed from LSAF. Read More

New Funding Allows Legal Focus on Domestic Violence in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Communities
February 1, 2007
Despite a dearth of research, studies seem to indicate that a large percentage of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community experiences intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. As with heterosexual domestic violence, GLBT survivors experience the same patterns of power and control tactics such as coercion, manipulation, emotional abuse, physical violence, threats, isolation, sexual abuse, and economic control. Read More

Governor Spitzer’s First Budget Includes Funding for Civil Legal Services
February 1, 2007
We are extremely pleased to report that for the first time, the Executive Budget includes state funding for the general delivery of civil legal services. Clearly Governor Eliot Spitzer understands the critical role that legal services plays in ensuring a level playing field and expanding access to justice for those most in need. Read More

Are HIV Claims Being Classified as TERI?
February 1, 2007
What is a TERI case, you may ask? TERI cases are, according to SSA, “cases with an indication of terminal illness” that should be handled in an “expeditious” manner. Read More

DAP in the Budget
February 1, 2007
One of the best investments the state has made over the years is in the Disability Advocacy Program (DAP). Recognizing the importance of this program, Governor Spitzer’s first budget includes both the base funding of $5.74 million in general fund support as well as a continuation of $1 million in targeted TANF funds. While base funding for DAP has been included at various levels in every state budget since the program’s inception, this is the first year in the three years of using TANF funds to support DAP that those funds are included within the Executive Budget. Read More

Class Action Challenges Fleeing Felon Rules
February 1, 2007
Plaintiffs challenge the SSA’s practice of suspending benefits of any recipient who has an outstanding warrant alleging a violation of probation or parole without a finding that the person is actually violating probation or parole. Read More

Child Care Funding, Mired in the Flex Fund, Remains Below 2005 Levels
February 1, 2007
In describing the human services portion of his 2007-2008 budget, Governor Spitzer announced that “One New York means a state that does not just get a working parent off the welfare roll, but one that helps lift him out of poverty.” Despite this promise, Governor Spitzer’s budget leaves the most important support for most working parents - child care funding - in a precarious position. Read More

Governor Spitzer’s Health Care Budget
A Breath of Fresh Air for Consumers
February 1, 2007
As promised, Governor Eliot Spitzer has proposed a dramatically redefined health care budget; one that focuses on health care consumers and puts the patients front and center. In the health care area, the Executive Budget is a breath of fresh air, both in tone and in the specific actions the Governor proposes to take. Read More

Child Care Funding, Mired in the Flex Fund, Remains Below 2005 Levels
February 1, 2007
In describing the human services portion of his 2007-2008 budget, Governor Spitzer announced that “One New York means a state that does not just get a working parent off the welfare roll, but one that helps lift him out of poverty.” Despite this promise, Governor Spitzer’s budget leaves the most important support for most working parents - child care funding - in a precarious position. Read More