Continuing Legal Education Credits Now Available Through On-line Trainings

April 1, 2007

Tom Karkau, Western New York Law Center

The Western New York Law Center (Buffalo, NY) and the Empire Justice Center (Rochester, Albany, White Plains, NY) have joined together to make 14 trainings in various aspects of civil law available for viewing over the web by attorneys and staff.  Additionally, experienced attorneys viewing these presentations may receive New York State Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit (subject to NYS Unified Court System guidelines). 

Included on the following pages of this issue of the Legal Services Journal are descriptions of the trainings, names of presenters, length of the presentation, and amount of CLE credit.  Included with each training are course materials that can be viewed online or downloaded at the viewer’s discretion.  Most of these trainings are already available for viewing.  All trainings will be available by May 15, 2007.

If you are an attorney practicing law outside of New York State and you wish to receive CLE credit, check with your state or local Bar Association as to whether or not CLE credit from New York State is recognized in your state.

Why not live trainings?

While no one will dispute the advantages of attending a training in person, the expense, lost time and inconvenience of travel to attend a training can be more of an issue than the cost of tuition or actual training time.  Many times, travel expenses and lost productivity due to travel are significantly greater than the tuition and/or the actual time spent receiving the training.  By viewing the training via the web, there is no lost productivity due to travel and there are no travel costs.

Another big advantage of viewing trainings via the web is convenience:  It can be viewed from any location with sufficient bandwidth at any time of day, or day of the week.  Presentations can be rewound, paused, stopped, restarted, or viewed again in their entirety.

Tips & Advice for Viewing

Dialup connections won’t work.  You must have an Internet connection capable of handling at least 160Kbps.  If you are unsure of the connection speed at your location, start up your web browser and go to http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/.  Under the caption “CHOOSE A SERVER:” are 8 cities.  Click on the one that is closest to your location and the speed test will automatically start.  When the test finishes, if the “Download speed” is greater than 160 Kbps, your Internet connection is fast enough to handle the webstream.

If more than one person is planning to watch a presentation in office, it would be a better use of bandwidth for everyone to watch together since every computer connection to the webstream will consume 160Kbps of your office’s bandwidth.  Having problems with the presentation?  Please check out the Star Watch article “Improve Your Webstreaming Experiences” that can be found at this link: http://www.wnylc.net/pdf/star-watch/Mar-Apr06.pdf.  It provides a tools and techniques to diagnose and solve problems with viewing webstreamed presentations.

Empire Justice Center has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York
To view the trainings…

1. Start up your web browser and go to this location:  http://onlineresources.wnylc.net
2. On the left side of the screen, click on “Online Training”
3. Click on the desired training; a registration form will be displayed
4. Fill out the registration form; then click on “Submit form"
5. A link to the presentation will be sent to the email address provided in the registration form

If you are an attorney and wish to receive CLE credit, you must fill out the course evaluation and attorney affirmation forms and mail it to the address on the form along with payment for processing of the CLE credit request.  New York State Bar Association rules require that the forms be mailed.  They cannot be submitted electronically.

Course Descriptions

Listed below are descriptions of the trainings offered, presenters, viewing times, CLE credits for attorneys, and cost for processing the CLE credit request.  If you are not an attorney or you do not wish to receive CLE credit for viewing the training, no payment is required.

Child Care and Child Support

This course covers the fundamentals of the child support requirements for applicants and recipients of child care assistance. Discussions include the active pursuit of child support; good cause exception and determinations; failure to cooperate by applicant or recipient; the child support order; treatment of child support as income; what happens if the non-custodial parent stops paying support; practical difficulties and legal issues that may be raised by petitioners and respondent. Presenter:  Susan Antos, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  1 hour 25 minutes

CLE Credits:  1.5 Profession Practice

Cost for CLE credit:  $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Emergency Assistance 101 

This course provides an overview of the emergency assistance programs in New York State: Emergency Assistance to Families, Emergency Safety Net Assistance, and Emergency Assistance to Adults. The training reviews the situations that constitute an emergency, and the financial and categorical eligibility requirements for receipt of emergency assistance, and pays special attention to shelter and utility emergencies.  Date of original presentation:  10/27/2005;  Presenter(s):  Susan Antos, Esq., Empire Justice Center; Charles Brennan, Public Utilities Law Project;  Viewing time:  1 hour 33 minutes

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:  $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Food Stamps 101 

This course will cover the rights of individuals to apply for food stamp benefits; the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements of the program, including a brief summary of immigrant rules; a basic look at the food stamp budgeting methodology, including how to read a food stamp budget, and the food stamp recertification process.  Date of original presentation:  11/20/2006;  Presenter:  Barbara Weiner, Esq.,    Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  2 hours 19 minutes

CLE Credits:  2.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:  $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Introduction to Language Access Rights 

Language Access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) is a half day training for advocates and attorneys that work with LEP communities. Participants will be given an overview of the state and federal protections for LEP individuals, as well as specific information on the following topics:

• LEP individuals access to public benefits, focusing on access to Food Stamps

• LEP access to hospitals and medical services

• LEP individuals interaction with law enforcement

• LEP access to interpreters in court and when seeking legal services

Date of original presentation:  02/01/2007;  Presenter:  Michael Mule’, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  3 hours 6 minutes

CLE Credits:  3.0 Professional Practice; .5 Ethics

Cost for CLE credit:  $90.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $150.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Navigating Medicare Part D: Strategies for Assisting Clients with HIV & Other Medicare Eligible Clients 

This one day training is presented in a series of modules. The first session covers the nuts and bolts of the new Medicare Part D benefit and information on choosing a plan. The second session focuses on issues that arise when using a plan, particularly the exceptions and appeals process.  Participants will gain experience with advocacy strategies through sessions using hypothetical client scenarios.  Attorneys must complete both sessions for CLE credit.  Date of original presentation:  03/23/2006;  Presenter(s):  Trilby deJung, Esq., Empire Justice Center; Valerie Bogart, SelfHelp Community Services; Greg Otten, Gay Men’s Health Crisis;  Viewing time:  2 Parts -- 1 hour 51 minutes; 1 hour 44 minutes

CLE Credits:  3.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $90.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $150.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Navigating the New Medicare Part D Appeals Process

Nuts and bolts of the Medicare Part D appeals process, including strategies for representing clients with prescription coverage denials, appeals of denials for the low-income subsidy, and issues related to New York's Medicaid wrap-around coverage.  This session was originally offered during the New York State Bar Association's Legal Services Partnership Conference.  Date of original presentation:  06/06/2006’ Presenter(s):  Trilby deJung, Esq., Empire Justice Center; Valerie Bogart, SelfHelp Community Services;  Viewing time:  1 hour 38 minutes.

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Public Assistance 101

This training, which is geared for those new to welfare work, will provide an overview of the different cash public assistance programs (Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, special grants and Emergency Assistance) and the basic eligibility rules of each program.  The training will also cover clients rights during the application process, and special rules that apply to minors. Participants will learn how to read a welfare budget and calculate benefits for their clients.  Date of original presentation:  04/03/2007;  Presenter(s):  Susan Antos, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  2 hours 1 minute.

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice; .5 Skills

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Reentry: Criminal Law 101: What Every Poverty Lawyer Must Know About the Criminal Justice  System 

More than one in three New Yorkers have a criminal record. The legal and practical consequences reach far into every practice area. Avoiding these collateral consequences, however, requires advocates to have a basic knowledge of criminal justice system. This session will give a crash course in law and practice in the criminal justice system, including the path of a criminal case, warrants, types of offenses, juvenile proceedings, criminal records and sealing, certificates of relief from disabilities, and what services are permitted under LSC restrictions. It will also introduce a new online tool that provides proven solutions to overcoming collateral consequences.  This session was originally offered during the New York State Bar Association's Legal Services Partnership Conference. Date of original presentation:  06/06/2007.  Presenter(s):  Presenters: McGregor Smyth, Bronx Defenders; Nancy Rosenbloom, Legal Aid Society; Alan Rosenthal, Center for Community Alternatives.  Viewing time:  1 hour 34 minutes

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Sequential Evaluation:  Developing Mental Impairment Cases at Step 3 

This training is designed to be an introductory course for those new to Social Security Disability Law. It begins with an overview of Social Security Disability and the sequential evaluation process with a focus on Step 3 (the “Listings”) for mental impairment cases. Participants will learn how to develop strong evidence and how to make winning arguments at Step 3, particularly in mental impairment cases.  Date of original presentation:  12/01/2005  Presenter(s):  Louise M. Tarantino, Esq. and Catherine M. Callery, Esq., Empire Justice Center  Viewing time:  1 hour 48 minutes

CLE Credits:  2.0 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Sequential Evaluation:  Developing Mental Impairment Cases at Steps 4 and 5 

This course builds upon the sequential evaluation process at Step 3.  It focuses on Step 4 (past relevant work) and the Step 5 application of the Grid Rules.  Participants will learn how to get off the grids and the use of vocational expert testimony in disability cases.  Date of original presentation:  12/02/2005; Presenter(s):  Louise M. Tarantino, Esq. and Catherine M. Callery, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  1 hour 43 minutes.

CLE Credits:  2.0 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

SSI Non-Disability Eligibility 

This training covers the fundamentals of SSI eligibility, including: income and resources, living arrangements, deeming, transfer of assets and other penalties, non-citizen restrictions, residency and more. This training is broken up into three parts because of its length.  Attorneys must complete all 3 parts for CLE credit.  Date of original presentation:  03/16/2006.  Presenter(s):  Louise M. Tarantino, Esq. and Catherine M. Callery, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  3 parts – 1 hour 33 minutes; 1 hour 52 minutes; 1 hour 32 minutes.

CLE Credits:  3.5 Professional Practice; 1.5 Skills; .5 Ethics

Cost for CLE credit:    $90.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $150.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Strategies for Maximizing Access to Health Care Services for People with HIV:  Navigating the Maze of Eligibility Criteria in New York's Public Health Care Programs 

This training will provide case managers and other client advocates with basic information about the public health care programs in New York State that are key for people living with HIV/AIDS, including Medicaid, ADAP, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus. Topics will include eligibility criteria, fair hearings and some of the common barriers and obstacles clients face when trying to access health care services. This training will prepare participants to apply eligibility criteria, identify potential legal issues, present legal references to county workers and make referrals to legal services when necessary.  Date of original presentation:  02/16/2006.  Presenter: Trilby deJung, Esq., Empire Justice Center; Viewing time:  1 hour 34 minutes.

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Strategies for Maximizing Access to Health Care Services for People with HIV

This training, sponsored in conjunction with the Legal Action Center, will provide case managers and other client advocates with basic information about the public health care programs in New York State that are key for people living with HIV/AIDS, including Medicaid, ADAP, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus.  Topics will include eligibility criteria, fair hearings and some of the common barriers and obstacles clients face when trying to access health care services.  This training will prepare participants to apply eligibility criteria, identify potential legal issues, present legal references to county workers and make referrals to legal services when necessary.  CLE credit is not available for this webcast.  Date of original presentation:  03/23/2007; Presenter:  Trilby deJung, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  1 hours 28 minutes.

CLE Credits:  1.5 Professional Practice

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys

Work Rules 101 

This training will begin with an overview of public assistance programs in New York and discuss how advocates can use local employment and child care plans to assist their clients. This session will include a basic overview of Public Assistance work rules, including drug and alcohol screening, exemptions, employability plans, hours of participation, countable work activities, and the rules governing sanctions, voluntary quit and conciliation. Finally, the session will discuss the new federal TANF regulations and their impact on work programs in New York State. Date of original presentation:  11/20/2006; Presenter:  Susan Antos, Esq., Empire Justice Center;  Viewing time:  2 hours 15 minutes

CLE Credits:  2.0 Professional Practice; .5 Ethics

Cost for CLE credit:    $60.00 Not-for-Profit Agencies;  $90.00 Private Practice Attorneys