May 2017
LAAC in Action
LAAC Member Story: Legal Aid Protects Families and Working Parents
 
The Child Care Law Center  is a non-profit firm that uses legal expertise to ensure that
 low-income families have quality, affordable child care. We are the only legal organization in the country devoted exclusively to the laws and policies governing child care and preschool.

As of January 1 , 2017,  two parents who are working full time minimum wage jobs, with a young child, no longer qualify for a child care subsidy . The extra 50 cents an hour from California's minimum wage increases has unintentionally caused thousands of families to lose child care.  We are working right now to   align child care policy and the new minimum wage  because so many parents are being forced to choose between keeping their job and their child care. 

Learn more about the Child Care Law Center's work! 

Advocacy Update

Legal Aid Funding Advocacy

As you've heard by now, the federal budget deal for our current year included level funding for Legal Services Corporation and other federal funding for legal aid programs. About half of all CA legal aid programs receive some federal funding, so we are happy that those funds, for now, are secure. However, we know the real battle is going to be over next year's budget (beginning October 2017), so please follow   our Facebook page to stay updated on the national efforts to protect legal aid!

Meanwhile, in California, LAAC continues to advocate for more funding for IOLTA programs through the budget process. The Governor's May Revise did not include any increases in funding. This is actually a loss in funding as it did not continue the $5 million one-time increase we fought so hard for last year. We continue to urge budget committee members to increase legal aid funding by $30 million. Many of you have answered LAAC's call for help, and I know we have a lot of new Champions in the legislature as a result of your efforts. Hopefully, you will get very good news from LAAC as the budget process continues. The Senate and Assembly full budget committees are both meeting this week - and if there isn't agreement on the amount of any increase, it will go to Budget Conference Committee next week. 

Legislative Efforts

LAAC has been very busy  in Sacramento, not only on budget advocacy, but also on bills that affect your organizations and your clients. We've been especially involved in  SB 316 (Wieckowski), a pro bono reporting bill, and  SB 36 (Jackson), the annual State Bar dues bill. Check out  our site for updates as bills move around a bit more this week. We're watching a few bills relating to fines and fees very closely and join many of our members in support of those bills. 

Last chance to nominate an advocate for a 2017 Family Law Award!

This year we will be recognizing three advocates at the 
2017 Family Law and Self-Help Conference in Los Angeles on  July 24th .

Awards will be given to those who have demonstrated exemplary service to low-income clients in each of the following categories:
  • Direct Representation (legal services family attorney)
  • Pro Bono Work (private attorney)
  • Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center Service Provider
The deadline to submit a nomination is  Friday, May 26th . To submit a nomination for consideration, please use this form . Please contact Harmony King (HKing@laaconline.org) if you have any questions.
SAVE THE DATE: 2017 Family Law & Self-Help Conference

WHEN: Monday, July 24, 2017
WHERE: The California Endowment
1000 Alameda St,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
 
Visit the  2017 Family Law and Self-Help Conference for more information and to find the full current agenda.

Register for the conference here!
 
This training generally covers topics including real property, pensions, military, traffic tickets, and domestic violence/custody. We also have multiple sessions on what legal aid and self-help advocates need to know about immigration.
Apply for a scholarship to "Training of Trainers"

APPLY HERE for Training of Trainers on 
August 28-29, 2017.
 
FREE 2-day, training with nationally-known trainer David Cruickshank, Edge International to be held at the State Bar's office in Los Angeles .
 
This intensive, two-day program will show you why alternatives to lengthy lectures are essential for adult learners. You will see demonstrations of what works in legal training from a trainer who has designed hundreds of programs for lawyers. From demonstrations, you will move to practice and design. You will leave this program with a head start on a training plan for a new course in your organization or region.

 
Complete and submit this Registration Application by:  Monday, June 19, 2017.
Final selections will be made and Workshop Trainers notified by: Friday, July 21, 2017

Check out these upcoming webinars! 

Deep Dive Into 'Structured Negotiation': Focus on the Practitioner
Thursday, June 8 from noon to 1 p.m.
Presenter:
Lainey Feingold, Law Office of Lainey Feingold
1 hour of general CLE. Register here!

Tuesday, June 20 from noon to 1 p.m.
Presenters:
Amy Poyer, California Women's Law Center
1 hour of general CLE. Register here!
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