A dedicated staff, strong community partner- presented at the National Health Care for the ships, and a nearly 30 year commitment to Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium. advocacy continue to make a difference in the In April, a staff attorney spoke on a breakout lives of Philadelphians with disabilities. Along panel at the National MLP Summit in Indianap- with the Legal Clinic for the Disabled’s (LCD) olis, IN. Board of Directors, I am pleased to deliver LCD’s 2016 Annual Report. Early in the year, LCD contributed to a new guidebook from the National Nursing Centers In 2016, LCD undertook a strategic plan which Consortium “Addressing Civil Legal Needs as will guide LCD into the next 30 years. With part of Nurse-Led Care.” The guide is intended an engaged and dedicated Board of Directors, to help healthcare and legal institutions estab- committed staff, sponsors and donors, and the lish Medical-Legal Partnerships in nurse-led support of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, LCD healthcare settings. In November, LCD was continues to strengthen its quality of service honored to once again receive a GlaxoSmith- and partnerships—with medical providers and Klein IMPACT Award alongside ten other local other human services organizations—to meet nonprofits. The $40,000 award was given in the legal needs of low income people living with recognition of LCD’s outstanding contributions disabilities in the Philadelphia region. to a healthier Philadelphia region. People do not choose to live in poverty. Life cir- We would not be able to continue our cumstances, such as disability, often cast people life-changing work without the generosity and into situations they never imagined. LCD’s staff continued engagement of our supporters. In works in the communities where our clients live, 2016, you helped us break records. Whether work and receive their health care services to you were running down Broad Street, bidding address issues that impact health that are legal at our Fall Celebration and Silent Auction, or in nature. Reaching our clients in their commu- volunteering your time to win housing and “I would like people to know that the staff at nities makes sense and creates an easier point guardianship cases, you keep us going year LCD not only has the legal experience to of access to needed legal services. On any given after year. provide the services they do but also are day, our staff attorneys are advocating for cli- ents in the courts, helping families gain access This year’s annual report brings into focus our driven by both dedication and kindness to to safe, affordable housing, visiting clients in Medical-Legal Partnerships across the city. We go beyond what is expected. I could not be their homes, and working with medical profes- take a dive into the issues, cases and clients sionals to identify social determinants that are our attorneys advocate for every day. Through more proud to have been part of this legal legal in nature which impede health care out- their tireless efforts, LCD strives towards team.” comes. Inclusion, Independence, and Justice for all - Barbara Goral, paralegal intern people living with disabilities. LCD contributes to the local and national con- versation on legal services for impoverished Sincerely, people living with disabilities. In June, an LCD staff attorney and LCD’s medical champion from Linda Peyton the Stephen Klein Wellness Center (SKWC) Executive Director 1 2016 Annual Report Legal Clinic for the Disabled LCD opened its doors at Magee Rehabilitation Even with the approval of Tom’s SSI benefits, Hospital in 1990. James Ferriman, Esq., of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Lauren and Esther saw that their client’s health Hecker, Brown, Sherry and Johnson and a for- would remain in jeopardy due to his transient mer Magee Board member helped initiate the lifestyle. Esther worked with his Magee case development after visiting a similar legal continuing support has allowed LCD to expand “He was basically moving from place to place. manager to push for accessible housing with clinic—also called the Legal Clinic for the its services to people with disabilities in When he finally did receive his mail, he had the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) and Disabled—in the Rehabilitation Institute of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. missed critical deadlines for his benefits,” his physician to corroborate his need for an ac- Chicago. A needs assessment done with the Over the years LCD has served thousands of Esther explains. cessible housing unit. Lauren forwarded patients at Magee revealed that the need for low-income people with disabilities across the documentation to PHA that his SSI benefits legal services was one of the greatest unmet Philadelphia area. Magee continues to be our When Lauren took over his case her top priority were pending. demands for people with physical disabilities. home, with our main offices located within the was expediting approval of his benefits. Magee joined forces with the Young Lawyers hospital. “We were able to resolve the case faster Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association “Normally when an applicant is initially denied because of the MLP model,” said Esther. and the Young Lawyers Section of the “Lauren and I could meet with him when he MAXIMIZING THE MLP MODEL and an appeal is filed, it can take up to two Philadelphia Bar Association and The Legal years to have your case heard because there is came in for appointments. The MLP is a more Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) in Philadelphia Without the Magee MLP and the commitment a large backlog of cases,” said Esther. “Lauren holistic approach than legal aid’s traditional was born. of LCD pro bono volunteer Lauren Ridley (right, had another option. She requested a decision practice model of siloing services. If you need with a client), associate at Morgan, Lewis and on the record which bypasses the long delay SSI, then you have an attorney who only han- LCD’s partnership with Magee formed one of Bockius LLP, one young man with a spinal-cord for a hearing. Tom never would have been able dles SSI matters and may not look at whether the first Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLP) in injury might still be living with an uncertain to do this on his own if he had continued to be housing is an issue as well. At an MLP, we are the country. An MLP is a community-centered future. unrepresented.” able to hear more about the client and their healthcare delivery model that works to im- situation.” prove the health and wellbeing of low-income, Tom receives services through Magee’s Typically, attorneys representing a SSI client vulnerable populations. It does this by Riverfront Outpatient Center where LCD need medical records to prove their case. Now, Tom is living in a subsidized and addressing unmet legal needs and removing operates an MLP and through which he was Attorneys put those requests in writing to the accessible apartment. Esther credits the MLP legal barriers that negatively affect people’s referred for legal assistance. Initially Tom was medical provider. The requests are then di- at Magee with the positive change in Tom’s health, independence, and quality of life. The denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rected to a subcontractor who handles all the life from being income-less and relying on the MLP is now recognized as an important model benefits due to an unstable housing situation. medical records requests. However, this is not goodness of others for a place to sleep to a to address social determinants to health that Since Tom was being seen by a Magee case the case when operating within an MLP. Lauren resident with full benefits. impact healthcare outcomes. manager and LCD operated an MLP on-site, his was able to contact the Magee case manager Magee case manager identified Tom’s need for directly and immediately obtain Tom’s records. At Magee, LCD attorneys work on-site with legal assistance. Immediately, attorneys at LCD The records were essential in speeding up the physicians, residents, nurses, social workers, met with Tom about his denial of benefits. approval process for his benefits. and others to ensure effective solutions to health and legal problems. This on-site As a result of LCD’s pro bono partnership with approach gives clients and healthcare workers Lauren’s firm, she agreed to represent Tom. an easier point of contact with legal services, Through this collaboration Lauren worked with allowing for prompt advocacy of legal issues LCD Managing Attorney, Esther Miller, and before they become a crisis. Magee’s medical providers to address both Tom’s SSI benefits and his need for accessible Magee’s insight 30 years ago to provide legal housing. services to its patient population and its Top Types of Cases 1.Estate Planning 2. SSI 3. Custody/Visitation 2 3 2016 Annual Report Legal Clinic for the Disabled St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children In 2011, LCD launched PhilaKIDS, an MLP with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Jason’s grandmother and doctors felt that The MLP screens families in the Ambulatory he had the ability to make his own financial Clinic, located in St. Christopher’s Center and healthcare decisions; however, Jason for the Urban Child (CUC), for unmet legal was accustomed to his grandmother’s needs. guidance. Everyone expressed interest in wanted to continue sharing in the LCD’s partnership with St. Christopher’s decision-making process. flourished, and PhilaKIDS expanded services to St. Christopher’s Center for Theresa worked privately with Jason to Children with Special Health Care Needs in hear his needs and wishes. They agreed 2013. The MLP began taking referrals from that a guardianship was too restrictive the CUC Asthma Clinic in 2015.