PLAN Training Webinars
By Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
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PLAN Training WebinarsJun 22, 2022
Best Practices for Working with LGBTQ+ Clients and Legal Professionals (6/21/22)
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. hosted a CLE training entitled, Best Practices for Working with LGBTQ+ Clients and Legal Professionals, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
This session covered PA Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(g), which prohibits attorneys from manifesting bias or prejudice or engaging in discrimination or harassment in the practice of law on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation and best practices in working with LGBTQ+ clients and legal professionals.
Spring Training for Utility Law Advocates (3/28/22)
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. hosted a webinar, entitled Spring Training for Utility Law Advocates, on March 28, 2022. Spring is almost here and will bring with it the end of the winter moratorium for utility terminations, as well as the end of LIHEAP season. In this webinar the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) demonstrated n how to prepare for a possible influx in utility termination cases and other utility issues beginning this Spring. New and seasoned advocates and attorneys were provided with strategies to resolve the most common utility issues, including how to prevent termination of service, resolve utility debt, and access utility assistance programs.
Trauma-Informed Techniques for You and For Me: Exploring the Importance of Trauma-Informed Practices to Serve Clients as Well as Self-Care for Practitioners (10/14/21)
Presenters: Janine Dunlap Kiah, SeniorLAW Center; Heather Kelly, SeniorLAW Center; and Kristen Wilson, SeniorLAW Center
2021 PLAN Virtual Conference
This engaging and action-packed session is not your typical seminar. Through the use of music, role-play and audience participation, this session endeavors to identify, explore and demonstrate how to utilize trauma-informed techniques to better serve clients. Also, we will explore how to recognize signs of secondary or vicarious trauma in your colleagues and within yourself while offering tips to prevent and to address it.
Special Education Law Basics (9/30/21)
Presenter: Jennifer Modell, Neighborhood Legal Services
The pandemic has created an upheaval in education and has particularly adversely impacted children with special needs. Even if you do not practice in this area, it is important to understand the rights your clients have when advocating on behalf of their children or grandchildren. Parental rights regarding evaluations, the differences between 504 plans and IEPS, and the intersection between special education law and the school to prison pipeline will all be discussed.
Working with Incarcerated People or Their Family 101: Incarcerated People's Rights to Medical Care and MAT/MOUD, and Tips on Communicating with People in Prison (9/28/21)
Presenters: Su Ming Yeh, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project; Alexandra Morgan-Kurtz, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project; and Sierra Shamer, Lewisburg Prison Project/PILP
Legal advocates discussed the legal rights incarcerated people have to medical care, including medication for opioid use disorder, also called medication-assisted treatment or MAT. The panel will provided helpful tips on communicating with people who are incarcerated or detained in prison, jail, or an immigration detention center, including the use of legal mail, and with their family members.
More Funding for Energy Assistance-Changes to LIHEAP for the 2021-2022 Season (9/29/21)
Presenters: Elizabeth Marx, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Lydia Gottesfeld, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania received a large amount of supplemental funds for energy assistance to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the American Rescue Plan. As a result, the Department of Human Services plans to make a number of changes to LIHEAP to spend more money during the 2021-2022 LIHEAP season. Attorneys from the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Community Legal Services discuss the expected changes for the upcoming LIHEAP season, how clients can take advantage of the new funds, and also flag common barriers to accessing LIHEAP.
Addressing Erroneous SSI Overpayments Caused by Federal Stimulus Payments (9/28/21)
Presenters: Claire Grandison, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and Katharine Vengraitis, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
The recent federal stimulus payments from the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan provided important income to our clients, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues erroneous overpayment notices based on the stimulus payments. Stimulus payments are not counted as income for means-tested programs like SSI, and they are exempt from resources for 12 months. When SSA makes errors in counting stimulus payments, our clients face the prospect of losing their life-sustaining benefits or repaying thousands of dollars if SSA does not correct its error.
LIHEAP Updates – Supplemental Program and 2021_2022 Program Preview (08/26/21)
Presenters: Ria Pereira, PA Utility Law Project and Liz Marx, PA Utility Law Project
Pennsylvania Utility Law Project presented a brief, 30-minute webinar about the 2020-2021 Supplemental LIHEAP grants, which will be released in early September, and gave a preview of the upcoming 2021-2022 LIHEAP program year.
Adult Eligibility for SSI 101 (06/24/21)
Presenters: Kristen Dama, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and Sara Lynch, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
SSI/SSDI Skill Building Webinar
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network hosted a webinar entitled Adult Eligibility for SSI 101 on June 24, 2021.
This program covered the basics of eligibility for SSI for adults with disabilities, including the five step sequential analysis. The presentation is geared at new attorneys to the practice and other practitioners seeking a refresher.
Advocating for Immigrant Survivors (6/17/21)
Presenters: Sarah Martin-Torres, PA Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) and Whitney Phelps, PA Immigration Resource Center (PIRC)
This training provided an overview of key concepts in immigration law and provides information on immigration relief options for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and related crimes. Participants will be able to recognize immigration legal options appropriate for survivors and their families, and will be able to identify practices their agency can implement to keep immigrant survivors safe.
Overview of Crime Victims Compensation (6/15/21)
Presenter: Erika Martel, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
This presentation is a general overview of the Pennsylvania Victim’s Compensation Assistance Program, a Program designed to assist victims of crime with expenses directly related to the crime incident. The presentation includes details on program eligibility, requirements of the victim, benefits that can be considered, and the monetary amounts allowed by law per benefit type.
Responding to Clients in Crisis: Practical Skills for Engagement and Interviewing (6/11/21)
Presenters: Maggie Potter, CLS; Caroline Rivera, PLA; Saadiqa Kumanyika, CLS; Irene Lindsay Brantley, Women In Transition
This workshop explored the impact of trauma and grief on brain functioning and decision-making to enable participants to better engage clients who are in crisis. It includes tips on how to recognize signs of trauma and grief and how to conduct screenings and trauma informed interviews with clients.
Family Law Essentials and New COVID Considerations 96/10/21)
Presenters: Sarah Robinson, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and Amber McGee, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
2021 PLAN VOCA Grantee Training
This 90 minute session, led by two experienced family law attorneys, outlined the foundational elements of core family law practice areas, including child custody, support, and protection from abuse. The speakers reviewed relevant statutes, case law, and pending legislation while providing practice tips tailored for the virtual courtroom. In addition, this session covered special relief options and programs for survivors of domestic violence and discussed the implications of pandemic-related relief payments, child tax credits, and other remedies in the American Rescue Plan Act.
Civil Litigation: Before, During and After the Pandemic (6/9/21)
Presenters: Amber McGee, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and Sarah Robinson, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
The increased need for civil legal aid during the pandemic forced courts and attorneys alike to drastically pivot their approaches to the provision of justice and services. Drawing on their experiences as civil litigators in both the Western and Eastern parts of the Commonwealth, Amber and Sarah will lead a discussion on the myriad of ways in which the pandemic has impacted civil litigation. Through the lens of family law and landlord/tenant law, this session will touch on challenges to the attorney-client relationship, changes in hearing preparation and pre-trial work, and the advantages and disadvantages of remote hearings.
The Protection from Abuse Act and Firearms (6/8/21)
Presenter: Danni L. Petyo, PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence
This training session reviews the basics of the Protection from Abuse Act and the recent amendments made under Act 79. After this session participants will be able to understand the updated firearms relinquishment provisions in the PFAA. The session will also review the updates to the PFAA process and procedure and to the Firearms Act due to Act 79, and what these amendments mean for survivors of domestic violence both under state and federal law.
The webinar is presented through a survivor-centered and trauma-informed lawyering lens, so participants can think about devising creative solutions under the new PFAA language to assist the survivors they work with.
Accessing Benefits From the County Assistance Office for Survivors of DV or Sexual Assault (6/7/21)
Presenter: Amy Hirsch, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Cash Assistance, SNAP/Food Stamps, and Medicaid Benefits are an important resource for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. This session provides information on accessing benefits during the pandemic, provisions to protect and assist survivors of DV or sexual assault, and how to appeal denials of benefits. The new expanded monthly federal Child Tax Credit was also discussed.
Who Can you Trust? Representing Elderly Victims of Financial Exploitation - 2021 VOCA Training
Presenters: Leah Finlayson, SeniorLAW Center and Brandan Corbalis, SeniorLAW Center
This webinar provides tips for recognizing and responding to financial exploitation, including through civil and orphans’ court litigation. The presenters focused on how to file orphans’ court litigation to address misuse of a power of attorney. The presenters also addressed the additional challenges elderly victims are facing during the pandemic.
Special Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: Housing Issues - 2021 VOCA Training (6/3/21)
Presenters: Matthew Rich, MidPenn Legal Services and Mary Beth Clark, North Penn Legal Services
This session focused on housing issues commonly encountered by victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Topics discussed include the current status and application of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in subsidized tenancies and strategies for how to confront issues which arise in market rate/private housing tenancies, where VAWA does not apply. Also, this session includes a review of a "good case" to highlight how creative advocacy can be utilized to protect and benefit victims dealing with housing-related problems.
Addressing Utility Needs for Survivors of Domestic Violence-2021 VOCA Training (6/2/21)
Presenters: Elizabeth Marx, PA Utility Law Project and Ria Pereira, PA Utility Law Project
Access to affordable heat, electricity, and telephone service is absolutely critical for survivors of domestic violence to establish a safe and healthy home. Survivors commonly face burdensome challenges to connecting and maintaining utility service – often as a direct result of economic abuse.
In this session, the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project covered the essentials of utility billing, collections, and terminations, will address unique utility protections for survivors of domestic violence, along with sharing best practice strategies to assist survivors in transition to connect and maintain affordable utility services.
SS/SSI Disability and Long-Term COVID Cases (5/27/21)
Presenters: Richard Weishaupt, Community Legal Services and Sara Lynch, Community Legal Services.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network hosted a webinar entitled Long Term COVID Cases on May 27, 2021.
This training covered the nature of long term COVID cases and SSA’s current approach. This included a discussion on what others are seeing and how they are approaching these cases.
Social Security Virtual Hearing Practice (04/29/21)
Presenters: Rebecca Dempsey, MidPenn Legal Services and Paige Martineau, North Penn Legal Services
This webinar reviews how virtual hearings are being conducted by the Social Security Administration, focusing on diability hearings.
This is part of a monthly webinar series focused on skill building in SSI/SSDI cases.
Utility Assistance Update and Primer (4/7/21)
Presenters: Joline Price, Community Legal Services; Ria Pereira, PA Utility Law Project; and Elizabeth Marx, PA Utility Law Project
Utility shut-offs were permitted to begin on April 1, 2021. This program provided information about new and existing utility assistance programs for Pennsylvania consumers struggling to maintain utility service and afford their bills. This session also reviewed key strategies to prevent utility termination and help consumers to better afford their monthly utility bills.
Appeals Council Practice (3/25/21)
Moderator: Kristen Dama, Community Legal Services. Presenters: Evangeline Wright, MidPenn Legal Services; Linda Cosme, Community Legal Services; Nick Feden, Community Legal Services
This webinar features a one-hour CLE session on Appeals Practice presented by attorneys Linda Cosme and Nick Feden from Community Legal Services, preceded with a discusion of Economic Impact Payments and the 2021 Child Tax Credit by Evangeline Wright of MidPenn Legal Services. The program was moderated by Kristen Dama of Community Legal Services.
This is part of a monthly webinar series focused on skill building in SSI/SSDI cases.
2021-02-25 Application and Reconsideration Advocacy with BDD
Presenters: Sara Lynch, Community Legal Services and Linda Cosme, Social Security Administration (Retired)
Part of the 2021 PLAN SSI/SSDI DAP Training Series
February 25, 2021
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 6 - Pandemic-Related Employment Law Tools (3/5/21)
Presenters: Nina Menniti, Justice at Work; Liz Chacko, Justice at Work; and Marielle Macher, Community Justice Project
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 6 - Pandemic-Related Employment Law Tools
For our clients who are working or trying to keep their jobs, occupational health and safety takes on a new urgency. This session focused on the OSH tools you can use, while also touch on leave rights and the potential expansion of paid leave by Congress.
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 5 - Occupational License Reform Implementation (3/5/21)
Presenters: Brendan Lynch, Community Legal Services
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 5 - Occupational License Reform Implementation
This session provided an update on how the Department of State and the licensing boards are implementing Act 53 and how the law affects your clients.
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 4 - Clean Slate II (and III?) (3/5/21)
Presenters: Sharon Dietrich, Community Legal Services and Jamie Gullen, Community Legal Services
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 4 - Clean Slate II (and III?)
This session included discussion of implementation of Act 83, which eliminated the requirement that fines and costs be paid before cases can be sealed, but does still require restitution to be paid. Learn ways to avoid having restitution debt sink your client. We will also look at prospects for felony sealing.
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 3 - Contesting Overpayments and Benefits Modernization (3/5/21)
Presenter: Julia Simon-Mishel, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 3 - Contesting Overpayments and Benefits Modernization
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 2 - Best practices for UC telephone hearings (3/5/21)
Presenters:Aaron Sommer, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and Rachel Miller, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 2- Best practices for UC telephone hearings
2021 PLAN Employment/UC Training: Session 1 - Unemployment Compensation/Pandemic Employment Assistance Update (3/5/21)
Presenter: Julia Simon-Mishel, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. and the PLAN Employment Law Group Held the 2021 PLAN Employment/Unemployment Law Group training as a virtual event on Friday, March 5, 2021.
Session 1 - Unemployment Compensation/Pandemic Employment Assistance Update
2021-03-04 PA Conference of County Bar Leaders PLAN Panel Discussion: The Color of Law
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN) and the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), in conjunction with the Conference of County Bar Leaders, held a virtual panel discussion on Richard Rothstein’s book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America on March 4, 2021
PLAN and the PBA are grateful for the generous support of the Pennsylvania State University law schools – Penn State Law and Dickinson Law – who sponsored the event.
The Color of Law documents how American cities became so racially divided as federal, state, and local governments systematically imposed residential segregation. Our panel is comprised of an esteemed group of experts, who will provide historical context for these systems of oppression and discuss the racialization of housing policies and the role attorneys can play in redressing these systemic injustices.
The panel discussion was moderated by Donald F. Smith, Jr., Esq., longtime legal aid advocate and former Executive Director of the Berks County Bar Association.
Members of the panel included:
Eleanor Brown, J.D., M.Phil.
Professor of Law and International Affairs
Penn State Law
Jill C. Engle, Esq.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Clinical Law
Penn State Law
Rasheedah Phillips, Esq.
Managing Attorney for Housing Policy
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Megan Riesmeyer, Esq.
Professor of Clinical Law and Director of the Community Law Clinic
Penn State Dickinson Law
2021-02-23 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Non-Disability Issues
Presenters: Susan Michalik, MidPenn Legal Services and Valerie Case, MidPenn Legal Services
February 23, 2021
2021-02-18 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: VE Cross-Examination Role Play Exercise with Breakouts
Presenters: Jen Burdick, Community Legal Services; Becky Dempsey, MidPenn Legal Services; Susan Michalik, MidPenn Legal Services; Jane Allen, North Penn Legal Services; and Paige Martineau, North Penn Legal Services
NOTE: This webinar featured two breakout sessions which were not recorded and are not included in this episode.
February 18, 2021
2021-02-16 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Step 5 Overview (RFC; Grids; Intro to VE Cross-Examination)
Presenter: Jane Allen, North Penn Legal Services
February 16, 2021
2021-02-11 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Age-18 Redeterminations and CDRs
Presenter: Jennifer Burdick, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
2021-02-09 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Child Sequential Analysis Training
Presenter: Paige Martineau, North Penn Legal Services
2021-02-04 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Practice Overview (ethical rules, handling and submitting evidence, ERE, interviewing)
Presenter: Rebecca Dempsey
2021-02-02 PLAN DAP-SSI/SSDI Training: Adult Sequential Analysis Training
Presenter: Kristen Dama, Community Legal Services
February 2, 2021
2021-01-08 Weatherization Assistance and Utility Usage Reduction in Northern Schuylkill County
Presenter: Ria Pereira, Esq., Pennsylvania Utility Law Project
This session provided an overview of weatherization and usage reduction programs available in Northern Schuylkill County.
January 8, 2021
2020-11-02 LIHEAP in the Pandemic: What you and your clients need to know
Presenters: Laura Edinger, PULP and Elizabeth Marx, PULP
During this hour-long webinar presentation Elizabeth Marx, Executive Director at the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, and Laura Edinger, PULP’s Senior Policy Analyst, will provide an overview of the LIHEAP program for the 2020-2021 season, updates on key changes from previous years, and tips and suggestions for advocacy in representing and advising clients about LIHEAP and their energy assistance options. Special attention will be given to updates due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2020-10-27 PALawHelp.org and PAVictimsHelp.org: How They Help People in Need
Presenters: Henry Leone, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.; Lacy Toline, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.; and Mariel Quiñones, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
This session provides a review of the resources available through PALawHelp.org and PAVictimsHelp.org to help people understand legal issues they may be facing and how to use the site to get assistance with those issues.
2020-10-27 The Basics of Defending an Eviction from a Mobile Home Park
Presenters: Matt Rich, MidPenn Legal Services and Dan Vitek, Community Justice Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Residents of mobile home parks are afforded special protections in Pennsylvania under the Manufactured Homes Community Rights Act (MHCRA).
This training will introduce you to the basics of enforcing the rights of mobile home part residents with a focus on defending against an eviction.
2020-10-26 Conducting an Environment of Mutual Respect: Professional Conduct and Anti-Harassment/Sexual Harassment
Presenter: Kim Nash, Exude Inc.
This program covers understanding perceptions, acting in a professional manner, legal definitions of harassment, company policy and reporting process. We will incorporate relevant scenarios that allow participants to discuss issues to impact learning. The break-out session focuses on executive leaders’ role in fostering a positive work environment.
2020-10-26 Challenging Illegal Section 8 Side Payments
Presenter: Eileen Yacknin, Neighborhood Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
The limited availability of suitable Section 8 Voucher housing has often resulted in the demands of Section 8 landlords to exact from needy tenants rent and/or utility payments in excess of what the Section 8 program permits, as a condition to enter into or extend leases with those tenants. Despite the illegality of these payments, desperate tenants often agree to such side deals, thereby paying hundreds, even thousands, more than landlords are entitled. Often, when tenants fail to remit these extra payments, landlords terminate their leases and sue them for eviction and those unpaid sums. The federal False Claims Act, designed to prevent fraud in the receipt of government benefits, has successfully been used to sanction these unlawful landlord practices, with enormous damages and attorney's fees. This workshop will introduce participants to the framework and contours of the Act and to explain how to litigate these cases.
2020-10-22 Evidence in a PFA Case
ATTENTION: Due to technical difficulties the first approximately 30 minutes of this presentation was not recorded. The portion recorded and available here focuses on the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act.
Presenters: Alisa Petersen, MidPenn Legal Services and Paul Edger, MidPenn Legal Services
This presentation will discuss PFAs/SVPOs and evidence that clients provide in a these cases.
2020-10-21 What to Do When your Client is Misclassified as an Independent Contractor: How to Challenge 1099 Status
Presenters: Omeed Firouzi, Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Nadia Hewka, Community Legal Services; and Julia Simon-Mishel, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Worker misclassification is when an employer gives their worker, who works under their direction and control, a Form 1099 (intended for the self-employed) with no tax withholding instead of a Form W-2 with taxes withheld. When workers are misclassified as independent contractors, they owe double the amount of Social Security and Medicare taxes that employees owe and they lose out on key protections employees enjoy.
The issue of worker misclassification is increasingly prevalent in today's 21st Century service-driven gig economy where such workers often help meet our essential needs. This panel will explore how practitioners can assist their clients when their employers misclassify them as independent contractors.
The workshop will include tax, unemployment compensation, and employment law practitioners who have assisted workers in disputing their 1099 status before the IRS, the Department of Labor & Industry, and in federal and state courts.
2020-10-21 Bankrutpcy Boot Camp - Part 2
Presenters: Catherine Martin, Neighborhood Legal Services and Adam DiBuo, Neighborhood Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference - October 21, 2020
This session is a Part 2 to the original Bankruptcy Bootcamp session. It will cover Practical tips on how to get the case into court, how to gather information, what the 341 meeting is like, etc.
2020-10-20 Responding to Clients in Crisis: Practical Skills for Engagement and Interviewing
Presenters: Maggie Potter, Community Legal Services; Caroline Rivera, Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Saadiqa Kumanyika, Community Legal Services; and Irene Lindsay Brantly
PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference, October 20, 2020
This workshop will explore the impact of trauma and grief on brain functioning and decision-making to enable participants to better engage clients who are in crisis. We will include tips on how to recognize signs of trauma and grief and how to conduct screenings and trauma informed interviews with clients.
2020-10-20 Child Custody: Learning the Basics and Navigating the Virus
Presenters: Angela Ruan, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and Sarah Robinson, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference - October 20, 2020
This 90 minute session will introduce participants to basic legal concepts in child custody practice, including a discussion of the statutory factors, a review of common pleadings and court procedure, and notice of recent case law updates. The speakers will also provide practice tips in areas of special consideration, such as domestic violence and inter/intrastate issues. This presentation will also provide insights on how to help your clients co-parent during a pandemic and how to adapt your advocacy to the virtual environment.
2020-10-19 Managed Care 101
Presenters: Pamela Putnam Silver, Pennsylvania Health Law Project and James Lee, Pennsylvania Health Law Project.
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference - October 19, 2020.
As most of the 3 million Pennsylvanians covered by Medicaid are now enrolled in managed care, it is vital that advocates understand how the managed care system works - and sometimes doesn't work - for our clients. This session will teach advocates about PA's managed care delivery systems, including the Physical Health and Behavioral Health HealthChoices programs as well as Community HealthChoices (CHC). Topics covered will include how to pick a managed care plan, how to access services, and a brief overview of the services available to adults and children in managed care. Prior knowledge of public benefits and Medicaid is not a pre-requisite.
2020-10-19 Foreclosure 101-An Introduction to Helping Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Presenters: Rachel Gallegos, Community Legal Services and Michelle Brix, Community Legal Services.
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference - October 19, 2020.
Is Pennsylvania a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure state? Do you know when an Act 6 notice (versus Act 91 notice) must be sent to a homeowner? Can you define "mortgagee," "amortization," and HEMAP? If so, this session is not for you. But if you want a refresher on foreclosure basics or have been representing homeowners facing foreclosure for less than a year or so, please consider attending this session. We will be talking about the basics of mortgage foreclosure law in Pennsylvania and the role of homeowners' lawyers.
2020-10-15 Receivership
Presenters: Eileen Yacknin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Kevin Quisenberry, Community Justice Project; and Robert Damewood, Regional Housing Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Receivership is a statutory or equitable remedy that replaces control of property in the hands of an officer of the court in order to prevent irreparable harm to some legal or property right, such as the right of tenants to habitable living conditions. In the face of seemingly growing numbers of poor-quality multifamily rental properties, receivership can be a very useful tool for providing relief to tenants. This panel consists of attorneys who have successfully used receivership on behalf of low-income tenants in several contexts. Eileen Yacknin and Kevin Quisenberry will discuss their use of receivership on behalf of tenants in a rental property where ownership was in dispute and a condemnation order was issued. Bob Damewood will discuss his representation of a mobile home resident association that volunteered to serve as receiver and ultimately used it to acquire ownership.
2020-10-15 Child Care Update
Presenters: Louise Hayes, Community Legal Services and Peter Zurflieh, Community Justice Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference.
Congress several years ago reauthorized the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. The Reauthorization included numerous family friendly changes to eligibility requirements for subsidized child care, which DHS and OCDEL are still in the process of implementing.
In this session we will review these important changes. We will also cover child care subsidy eligibility, including "doors to child care," i.e., who is served by each of PA's three subsidized child care programs - TANF, SNAP, and ELRC (formerly CCIS) - as well as how and under what circumstances parents can transition from one program to another.
Child care programs have been severely impacted by the COVID pandemic, which has affected both the supply and the capacity of providers to serve children. This at a time when there will be greater demands for child care as many schools are relying on distance learning as part of their plans to reopen safely. The session will include discussion of these issues.
2020-10-14 Saving the Family Home_Deeds, Probate & Tangled Titles
Presenters: Michael Froehlich, Community Legal Services; The Honorable Tracey Gordon, Philadelphia Register of Wills; and Dot Goldberger, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference.
In the United States today, the median Black family owns just 1/10th of the wealth as the median white family. And because the family home typically makes up 2/3rds of a family's wealth, one of the best ways to close the racial wealth gap is through intergenerational wealth transfers. How can we best help our clients keep the family home in the family? This session will talk about basic probate practice and solutions to common tangled title issues.
2020-10-16 Pennsylvania's Pardon Process
Presenters: Barbara Griffin, Pro Bono Center of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation and Tobey Oxholm, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equality
2020-10-09 Defending Foreclosures in the COVID Era
Presenters: Michael Froehlich, Community Legal Services and Rachel Labush, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference - October 9, 2020
This presentation will talk about the loss mitigation options available to homeowners affected by COVID-19. We will focus on forbearance options for federally-backed (i.e., FHA, FannieMae, FreddieMac, VA & USDA-RHS) and non-federally back mortgages, including what happens when the forbearance ends.
We will also discuss the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program (PMAP) and defending a foreclosure filed against a homeowner who where there options were not provided.
2020-10-08 Dealing with Debt
Presenters: Laura Smith, Community Legal Services and Ryan Cummins, MidPenn Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Collection of consumer debts can impact our clients lives in ways big and small - from unwanted phone calls, to ruined credit, to judgments that become liens on homes and threaten bank accounts. The debt collection machine continues to hum through COVID shutdown, and its effects can be magnified when people are required to be at home as much as possible.
This session will provide an overview of the rights of consumer facing collections, how they can best protect themselves and their credit, and common defenses in collections cases - for advocates who represent consumers sued in collection actions or who simply want to be able to advise clients who are stressed out by collectors' tactics.
2020-10-08 Methods for Messaging: How to Use Social Media, Messaging Strategies, and Other Communications Tools to Achieve Your Goals
Presenter: Caitlin Brown, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
With so many different social media platforms and ways to communicate, it can be difficult to figure out how to best use your time and resources. How can you use social media to reach your clients? What platforms are best to reach donors, advocates, and decision-mkaers?
This session will talk about many different communications tools, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIN, E-mail programs, traditional media, op-eds and blogs, and websites. It will give a brief overview of how and why to use each platform, offering tips and best practices, to maximize your effectiveness while saving you time.
In this session, you will learn which tools to use for which audience, how to grow your following on various platforms, and how to message to your audiences with a limited amount of time.
2020-10-09 Best Practices for the Virtual Hearing
Presenters: Sarah Katz, Temple University Beasley School of Law; Elizabeth Lippy, Temple University Beasley School of Law; Chi-Ser Tran, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Hear from trial advocacy expert and the new Director of Trial Advocacy at Temple University Beasely School of Law, Elizabeth Lippy, on how to put your best case forward when appearing remotely for proceedings.
We'll discuss tips on presenting evidence, preparing witnesses, and other best practices for moving your advocacy from the physical to the virtual court room.
2020-10-07 How to Assess a Utility Case
Presenters: Kristen Geesaman, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project; Cameron Dichter, Community Legal Services; Rebecca McCord, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN virtual Statewide Conference
Energy and utility advocates will give a practical training on how to assess a utility case from intake through the dispute process.
The training will cover questions to ask on intake, how to review a customer bill, how to negotiate with a utility, and how to initiate a complaint with the PUC.
This training is for new advocates and those with limited experience assessing utility cases. Presenters will share best practices and strategies for maximizing the limited resources available to assist low-income customers.
2020-10-07 Health Care for Older Adults
Presenters: Erin Guay, Pennsylvania Health Law Project and Katy McKee, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
What health care coverages and services are available for low-income older adults? What does Medicare cover? Who gets Medicaid? Who pays for nursing facility stays? What services and supports are available as alternatives to nursing homes?
This session will cover the basics of Medicare and Medicaid coverage for older adults
2020-10-06 Avoiding and Transition from Nursing Homes: Accessing the Community HealthChoices Waiver
Presenters: Amy Lowenstein, Pennsylvania Health Law Project and Kate Vengraitis, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Given the alarming rate of COVID-19 infections and deaths in nursing homes, residents are desperate to get out of these congregate settings and others are anxious to avoid nursing home placement. Instead they want to receive Medicaid-funded waiver services and supports delivered in their own homes.
This session will describe and provide practice tips on navigating the clinical and financial eligibility maze of Medicaid's Community HealthChoices waiver, including how to use income-spend-down trusts for individuals who would not otherwise be financially eligible for the waiver. The Community HealthChoices-required nursing home transition process will also be covered.
2020-10-05 Remote Eviction Hearing Issues in the Age of COVID-19
Presenters: Matt Rich, MidPenn Legal Services; Eric Dunn, National Housing Law Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
"In-person" eviction hearings may pose health risks to defendants with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of serious illness or death if exposed to the Coronavirus. At the same time, remote hearings may present procedural challenges that could impair a defendant's ability to evaluate evidence and present a defense.
This workshop covers reasonable accommodation requests and potential due process challenges to the conduct of eviction hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-10-05 Using Actions in Quiet Title and Ejectment to Protect Older Clients
Presenters: Brendan Corbalis, SeniorLAW Center and Pilar Diaz, SeniorLAW Center
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
This sixty-minute panel presentation introduced participants to the key difference between actions in ejectment and to quiet title, with emphasis on how both may offer older clients protection from abuse and financial exploitation.
The presentation also provided a brief overview of the necessary steps to prepare for litigate, and or resolve quiet title cases. Finally, a portion of the program highlighted ways to help older clients avoid the need for these actions, namely by educating and advising them of the critical importance of basic estate planning.
2020-10-01 New Advocate Trial Advocacy Skills Training Session 4 - Direct Examination, Refreshing Recollection and Introduction of Exhibits
Presenters: Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network; Erica LeMon, Maryland Legal Aid; Nick Matash, MidPenn Legal Services; Rebecca Dempsey, MidPenn Legal Services
This five-part training series is designed to provide advocates with less than five years of practical legal experience guidance on how to be an effective advocate for clients inside and outside of the courtroom.
2020-09-30 New Advocate Trial Advocacy Skills Training Session 1: Effective Advocacy and Practical Lawyering Skills
Presenters: Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network; Erica LeMon, Maryland Legal Aid; Nick Matash, MidPenn Legal Services; Rebecca Dempsey, MidPenn Legal Services
This five-part training series is designed to provide advocates with less than five years of practical legal experience guidance on how to be an effective advocate for clients inside and outside of the courtroom.
2020-10-01 Representing Clients in Medicaid Managed Care Appeals
Presenter: Amy Lowenstein, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Nearly all Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid are in managed care. Medicaid managed care plans are the gatekeepers for health care services; making the crucial decisions to approve or deny services.
For decades we have observed managed care plans limit services (e.g., home health care) to medically fragile children. Now we are seeing older adults and people with disabilities enrolled in Community HealthChoices (CHC) whose managed care plans are denying them the level of home and community-based waiver services that they need to live safely at home.
This session discusses how to represent clients in grievances and fair hearings challenging adverse benefit determinations by CHC, Physical HealthChoices and Behavioral HealthChoices managed care plans.
2020-09-29 Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Economic Impact Payment, and Why Your Client Hasn't Gotten It (Yet)
Presenters: Anthony Marqusee, Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Rebecca Stavish, MidPenn Legal Services; Christine Speidel, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Under the CARES Act, the IRS was tasked with issuing the $1200, plus $500 per qualifying child, stimulus payment known as the Economic Impact Payment (EIP). Months later, many people who should have received the payment have not.
Hear from a panel of Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) practitioners about common problem scenarios including cases of social security benefit and SSI recipients and other non-filers, separated spouses, identify theft, and dependents potential solutions, litigation, and about the anticipated second round of payments.
2020-09-28 TANF and SNAP Employment and Training Program Revamp
Presenters: Louise Hayes, Community Legal Services and Peter Zurflieh, Community Justice Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
DHS spent over a year working on a redesign of its TANF and SNAP E & T programs. Basically, these changes abandon the "work first" approach, and it's emphasis on rapid attachment to the work force, and instead focus on assessment, barrier removal, and education/training. Most of these changes are being implemented through modifications to the contracts with EARN programs. In addition, the Work Ready program has been repurposed to focus solely on Extended TANF families. These changes went into effect on July 1, 2020. In this session we will talk in more detail about the programmatic changes as well as various E & T policy changes intended to facilitate the revamp. The COVID pandemic has impacted both the ability of clients to participate in E & T activities and the manner in which they participate. E & T providers are attempting to serve clients remotely, which raises numerous issues that we will explore in the session.
2020-09-25 Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Presenters: Kim Dolan, Regional Housing Legal Services; Dina Schlossberg, Regional Housing Legal Services; Mark Schwartz, Regional Housing Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
The Low Income Housing Tax credit is the primary tool used to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing. It is administered jointly by the IRS and in PA, the PA Housing Finance Agency. This session explains the basics of LIHTC, and what is important for legal services staff and their client to know.
2020-09-24 Water Affordability and Dealing with Unregulated Utilities
Presenters: John Sweet, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project; Dan Vitek, Community Justice Project; Robert Ballenger, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Most Pennsylvanians are provided water and sewer service by municipal authorities that are unregulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The statutory requirements that apply to them are limited and not well-known.
This interactive session for new and seasoned advocates covered how to handle cases dealing with unregulated utilities, including the difference between regulated and unregulated utilities; long term consequences of water privatization; consumer protections; due process issues around appealing grounds for termination; how to obtain documentation; and how to advocate with a local municipal authority on behalf of your clients.
Emerging trends in water and wastewater assistance programs at regulated and unregulated water companies across the state are also discussed.
2020-09-24 Navigating Disability Benefits for Veterans: Initial Application Through Appeals
Presenter: Richard Prebil, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Benefits available to veterans from VA can be extremely helpful. However, the process of applying for, and appealing denials of, these benefits, is a daunting administrative process. During this training, we will address how to navigate VA processes, elements of a claim, medical evidence, and best, practical strategies to advocate for and represent veterans.
2020-09-23 Health Care for Kids
Presenters: Danna Casserly, Pennsylvania Health Law Project; Marissa LaWall, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
No child in Pennsylvania should go without health insurance coverage. This session will provide advocates with a primer on health insurance options for kids in Pennsylvania, with a focus on Medicaid. It also touched briefly on other health insurance options available to kids who do not qualify for Medicaid, such as Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The session will offer an opportunity to learn about the following topics: Medicaid eligibility; how to apply for coverage; available services for kids on Medicaid including an overview of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit which provides comprehensive health care services for kids; and what to do if a client's application or service is denied.
2020-09-22 Bankruptcy Boot-Camp (Part 1): Introduction to the Concepts and Practice of Consumer Bankruptcy
Presenters: Catherine Martin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Eileen Yacknin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Adam DiBuo, Neighborhood Legal Services
Transform yourself from a bankruptcyphobe into a bankruptcy guru in 90 minutes!
Bankruptcy is a useful and underutilized tool for low income clients. There's a reason rich people and businesses file bankruptcy - it can improve their financial situation. That is true for legal services clients too. Find out when bankruptcy can help your clients, and how you can start handling bankruptcy cases.
2020-09-21 Recovery Dialects: The Words We Use Matter
Presenters: Brian Gorman, Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid; Melissa Ruggiero, Neighborhood Legal Services; Adam Sledd, Recovery Support Services Director-Unity Recovery
Stigma is both a label and a stereotype and contributes to active discrimination against an individual or population. Terms like addict and abuse universally evoke a negative response that can lead to and reinforce stigma. Learn positive language to effectively communicate with your client to gain their trust and defend them before judges to get the best possible outcome.
2020-09-21 Eviction Diversion Programs
Presenters: Gale Schwartz, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania; Megan Stanley, Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations; Rachel Garland, Community Legal Services; Elizabeth Rios, Michigan Advocacy Program, LSSCM
Communities across Pennsylvania are exploring third-party mediation programs as part of a broader eviction prevention strategies. Some of these programs elsewhere in the country have been very successful in preserving the tenancy, resolving habitability issues and repairing a strained landlord-tenant relationship.
This workshop will cover the elements of a successful diversion program in Lansing, Michigan; the steps that advocates took to create a mandatory pre-filing diversion program in Philadelphia; and initial results of a voluntary pre-filing diversion program in Allegheny County.
2020-09-18 Immigrant Access to Public Benefits
Presenter: Maripat Pileggi, Community Legal Services
This workshop provides an overview of immigrant eligibility for major public benefits programs and will provide the latest updates on recent proposals to restrict immigrant access to public benefits, including recent changes to public charge and sponsor deeming policies.
2020-09-17 How to Use Chapter 13 to Help Tenants and Homeowners
Presenters: Alfonso Madrid, Community Legal Services; Catherine Martin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Eileen Yacknin, Neighborhood Legal Services
2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Conference: You can do things in Chapter 13 you cannot do in the real world. A review is provided of all the options available to keep your clients in their housing, whether they rent or are buying.
In the fast changing landscape of CARES Funding/Rental Assistance/Foreclosure moratorium etc., bankruptcy is probably the best venue to protect consumer rights.
2020-09-16 The Value of Working with Community Groups
Presenters: Kevin Quisenberry, Community Justice Project; Eileen Yacknin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Catherine Martin, Neighborhood Legal Services; Carol Hardeman, Hill District Consensus Group; Guillermo Velazquez, Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC); Crystal Jennings,City of Bridges Community Land Trust; Anne Wright, Bodytrack, CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University; Abby Rae LaCombe, RentHelpPGH; Swain Uber.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Conference
The tools we lawyers use often fail to provide the help our clients need. It is incumbent upon us to identify and engage with the partners in our communities whose work can amplify our own. In this workshop, community stakeholders and PLAN lawyers who coordinated to provide resource navigation and legal assistance during the pandemic will share their lived experiences.
2020-09-16 Pro Bono in the Age of COVID-19
Presenters: David Trevaskis, PA Bar Association; Sandy Ballard, Dauphin County Bar Association; and Winnie Gunther, University of California at Berkley
2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Conference
The session will model a virtual law clinic, showcasing how the Dauphin County Bar Association (DCBA) partnered with MidPenn Legal Services and the PA CareerLink Capitol Region to hold an online clinic via Zoom to assist members of the community with driver's license issues.
The purpose of this clinic was to see what community members need to do to have their driver's licenses reinstated. This clinic took place with the assistance of students, paralegals, and volunteer lawyers.
In a private Zoom room, each community member was partnered with one volunteer lawyer, with the possiblity of a student, to remotely access their PennDOT driving records. Once there, the volunteer lawyer was able to highlight the steps needed to reinstate each driver's license. After the volunteer lawyer reviewed the steps, an expert in handling driver's licenses cases also joined the Zoom room to offer any additional suggestions.
2020-09-15 Digital and Remote Client Outreach
Presenters: Caitlin Brown, Community Legal Services and Kadeem Morris, Community Legal Services.
2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Conference - September 15, 2020
How do you use Facebook live to reach clients? How do you avoid getting "Zoom bombed" during a presentation? How do you effectively use social media to reach your clients?
The presenters discussed ways to conduct community education and provide clients with know-your-rights information during the pandemic. They also offered tips and best practices for zoom webinars and Facebook lives, telephone town halls with elected officials, virtual legal clinics, creating animated explainer videos, designing flyers and graphics, and finding other creative ways to reach people while they cannot come to our offices for intake. The best practices for setting up live community education sessions included which security measures to take. Tips were also offered for content creation and how to share materials.
2020-09-15 Health-Related COVID-19 Updates
Presenters: Kyle Fisher, Pennsylvania Health Law Project; Marissa LaWall, Pennsylvania Health Law Project; Callie Perrone, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Conference
Even with all of Pennsylvania now in the "green" re-opening phase, new COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the Commonwealth. Learn about changes the Medicaid program has made - and continues to make - in response to the ongoing public health emergency.
Among other things, the presenters covered the new self-attestation rules and moratorium on MA closures, the temporary protections in place for shift nursing for kids and waiver services for adults, and lessons learned regarding whether and how marginalized populations are getting tested and treated.
2020-09-14 UCCJEA Basics
Presenters: Susan Abramowich, Neighborhood Legal Services and Nikki Christopher, Neighborhood Legal Services
2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Virtual Statewide Training
The UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act), enacted in Pennsylvania in 2004, provides the statutory framework for courts to use to determine both interstate and intrastate jurisdictional disputes in child custody matters. Learn about the UCCJEA: how to effectively analyze cases involving jurisdictional disputes and how to incorporate the guidance provided under the UCCJEA into your child custody practice.
2020-09-10 Major Changes in the Health Insurance Marketplace: Understanding Pennie, the New State Health Insurance Exchange
Presenters: Laval Miller-Wilson, PULP; Maripat Pileggi, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference: Obamacare is changing in Pennsylvania! Pennsylvania is leaving the federal health insurance marketplace and creating it's own state marketplace starting this November. This session will explain what changes are being made and what to expect during open enrollment 2020 and beyond.
2020-09-14 Mobile Home Ownership Issues
Presenters: Brian Doyle, Legal Aid of SE PA; Dan Vitek, Community Justice Project
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Affordable homeownership is one benefit offered to residents of mobile homes, but owning a mobile home comes with many issues of its own.This session will discuss titling issues, problems with financing, purchase agreements or "rent-to-own" scheme, paying property taxes and dealing with tax sales, and the loss of the home through repossession or abandonment proceedings.
2020-09-11 PA’s New Occupational Licensing Reforms: How They Will Affect Your Clients’ Chances at Employment
Presenters: Sharon Dietrich, Community Legal Services; Brendan Lynch, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference
Presenters discussed recent reforms to consideration of criminal records in licensing for many Pennsylvania occupations and how they affect the likelihood of obtaining a license. Attendees will learn which professions are affected, what legal standards will apply to consideration of criminal records, and what guidance will be available to help clients make career and educational plans.
2020-09-10 Utility Law Review and Update-Utility Advocacy for Assistance in the COVID-19 Age
Presenters: Ria Pereira, PULP; Giovanna Brackbill, PULP; Josie B. H. Pickens, Community Legal Services
2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference: This interactive session for new and seasoned advocates will cover the latest changes in utility assistance programs and energy advocacy in Pennsylvania.
Participants will learn about the current regulations governing billing. collections, and terminations, including a real-time update on shut off moratorium defense and policy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will also receive a refresher on regulatory protections, available assistance programs, and other critical issues faced by low income utility consumers.
2020-07-29 Defending Evictions in the Age of COVID-19
Panel of Presenters: Bob Damewood, RHLS; Kadeem Morris, CLS; Eileen Yacknin, NLSA; Dan Vitek, CJP; Vikram Patel, CLS; and Jim Orgass, MPLS
This webinar provided an introduction to analyzing possible defenses against eviction based on the specific tenant protections created during the pandemic. Learn if a tenant is covered by the various eviction moratoriums and how to enforce them. Also, learn possible counterclaims to assert for any violations of the moratoriums. The webinar was presented as a panel discussion.
2020-07-28 Protecting Nursing Facility Residents in a Time of COVID-19
Presenters: Pam Walz and Alissa Halperin of Community Legal Services
Nearly 69% of COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania have been older adults and people with disabilities who reside in long term facilities. In an effort to make nursing facilities safer and keep them staffed, requirements have been relaxed and rules have been changed. Families and friends have not been able to visit residents since March, and long term care Ombudsmen and Department of Health inspectors have been restricted from their normal work. This webinar provided a 60-minute overview on what’s happening, what’s changed, and how to protect and represent nursing facility residents during this challenging time.
July 28, 2020
2020-06-25 Trauma Informed Legal Services
Presenter Suzanne Estrella, PCAR
This presentation covered the guiding principles of a trauma informed approach to advocacy. Taking into account the impact of trauma on survivors, participants will learn to adapt their practice by creating trauma-informed spaces for client meetings and identify new ways to question survivors about their experiences. Participants will also examine the value of expert witness testimony offered to educate juries and the courts about trauma and its impact on survivors.
June 25, 2020
2020-06-24 Partnering with Law Enforcement to Better Serve DV Victims and Survivors
Presenter: Angela Keen, DVSLC
We know from research that it is common for perpetrators and victims of domestic violence to have contact with law enforcement. For service providers in the community, maintaining relationships with law enforcement can be an extremely beneficial relationship as we provide services to those victims and survivors of domestic violence. This workshop explored ways to connect with law enforcement and nurture those relationships in a mutually beneficial way to better serve our clients.
June 24, 2020
2020-06-23 New Developments in the Law for Victims of Domestic Violence
Presenter: MacKenzie Clark, PCADV
This training covered the major changes to the law protecting victims of domestic violence, both statutory and case law, as well as a brief update on changes to the law on firearms relinquishment and prohibition.
June 23, 2020
2020-06-22 Advocating for the LGBTQ Communities
Presenter: Elizabeth C. Kahn, Mazzoni Center
This program discussed options and strategies for representing victims of crime from the LGBTQ communities.
2020-06-19 Immigration Basics and Relief for Victims of Crime
This webinar trains participants on the basics of the U.S. immigration system. It provides an overview of common forms of immigration relief for victims of crime, including U & T visas. The goal of the webinar is to help participants issue-spot for potential immigration relief while speaking with clients.
June 19, 2020
2020-06-18 Evidence for PFA Cases
Presenters:
Larry Szmulowicz, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Arly Smith-Pearson, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
This webinar discussed the use of electronic evidence in Protection From Abuse (PFA) cases. The applicable rules of evidence and case law regarding authentication of social media, phone, and other electronic evidence was reviewed along with best practices and strategies for admitting and using the evidence effectively. The ethical considerations of sharing evidence with a prosecutor is also discussed.
June 18, 2020
2020-06-17 WOULD I LIE TO YOU?: Practice Tips and Ethical Consideration When Representing Elderly Victims of Financial Exploitation and Abuse
Leah Finlayson, SeniorLAW Center
Brendan Corbalis, SeniorLAW Center
June 17, 2020
2020-06-16 Basic Crime Victim Compensation
Presenter: Michael Reich, PCCD
In this training you will be provided with a basic overview of the Pennsylvania Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP), including eligibility criteria and available expenses.
June 16, 2020
2020-06-15 Introduction to SNAP and Cash Assistance
Presenter: Louise Hayes, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
This webinar provided an overview of cash assistance programs (primarily TANF, with a brief discussion of General Assistance), and SNAP (formerly food stamps). It covered who is eligible, the benefit amount calculations, the application process, and some temporary changes to the programs as a result of COVID-19. It is intended for summer interns and non-specialists in public benefits.
2020-06-15 Accessing Benefits From the County Assistance Office for Survivors of DV or Sexual Assault
Cash Assistance, SNAP/Food Stamps, and Medicaid Benefits are an important resource for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault. This session provides information on accessing benefits during the pandemic, provisions to protect and assist survivors of DV or sexual assault, and how to appeal denials of benefits.
VOCA Training: June 15, 2020
2020-06-12 Special Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Housing Issues
Presenters: Matthew Rich, MPLS and Mary Beth Clark, NPLS
This session focused on housing issues commonly encountered by victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Topics discussed included the current status and application of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in subsidized tenancies and strategies for how to confront issues which arise in market rate/private housing tenancies, where VAWA does not apply. Also, this session included a review of a "good case" to highlight how creative advocacy can be utilized to protect and benefit victims dealing with housing-related problems.
VOCA Training: June 12, 2020
2020-06-11 Domestic Relations Practice during COVID-19
Presenter: Susan Pearlstein, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
This program discusses how the court closures are impacting our domestic relations work, and provides an update on child custody and protection from abuse during the pandemic.
VOCA Training: June 11, 2020
2020-06-10 . …But how will I keep the lights on?” : Addressing Utility Needs for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Presenter: Elizabeth Marx, PULP.
Access to affordable heat, electricity, and telephone service is absolutely critical for survivors of domestic violence to establish a safe and healthy home. Survivors commonly face burdensome challenges to connecting and maintaining utility service – often as a direct result of economic abuse. In this session, the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project covers the essentials of utility billing, collections, and terminations, will address unique utility protections for survivors of domestic violence, and will share best practice strategies to assist survivors in transition to connect and maintain affordable utility services.
2020-06-08 COVID Relief Public Benefit Programs-Emergency Assistance, LIHEAP Recovery and P-EBT
Presenter: Lydia Gottesfeld, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. presented a webinar entitled COVID Relief Public Benefit Programs: Emergency Assistance, LIHEAP Recovery and P-EBT on June 9, 2020.
Review of special assistance programs launched to provide assistance to low-income people facing additional economic challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-05-13 Utility Law for Housing Attorneys
Presenters: John Sweet, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project; Josie Pickens, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia; Kadeem Morris, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. offered a webinar entitled Utility Basics for Housing Attorneys on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
This session provided updates about utilities COVID emergency response and issues that clients may soon face with the expiration of the current emergency order and utility termination moratorium on the horizon. It also explored the intersection of utility and housing law, and offered answers to common client complaints.
2020-05-01 Essential Workers’ Rights During COVID-19
Presenters: Nina Menniti, Justice at Work; Alia Al-Khatib, Justice at Work; and Liz Chacko, Justice at Work
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. presented a webinar entitled Essential Workers’ Rights During COVID-19 on May 1, 2020.
In this webinar, attorneys from Justice at Work provided an overview of the rights and protections available to “essential” workers in Pennsylvania during the pandemic. The webinar addressed the particular concerns of low-wage workers, including immigrant workers, who are continuing to work outside of their homes.
2020-04-29 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in Pennsylvania
Presenter: Julia Simon-Mishel, Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. offered a webinar entitled Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
This session reviewed the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, including what benefits are available and who the program will cover. It will also discuss the new application; review issues that workers are having with filing; and explain what the new PUA "portal" looks like and what resources are available to PUA claimants.
2020-04-09 Impact of COVID-19 and Family Law Issues
Presenters: Susan Pearlstein, Esq. Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Leslie Allen, Esq., Philadelphia Legal Assistance; Arly Smith-Pearson, Esq. Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. presented a webinar entitled Impact of COVID-19 and Family Law Issues on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
The webinar discussed how to advise clients regarding custody issues, including alternatives to supervised visits, emergency custody, and how to navigate custody issues during the pandemic and while court access is limited. The protection from abuse process will also be discussed and advocates can share how counties are keeping access to the courts open while the courts remain closed.
PLEASE NOTE: The recording of this webinar was terminated early due to a power failure at the location where the recording was being done. The partial recording is being made available because it contains important information on the topic. We apologize for the unfortunate early termination of the recording.
2020-04-09 Update on COVID-19 and Public Benefits
Presenters: Louise Hayes, Community Legal Services; Peter Zurflieh, Community Justice Project; and Maria Pulzetti, Community Legal Services.
This webinar provided an update on the PA Department of Human Services’ and the federal government’s responses to the COVID-19 crisis with regard to public benefits. Topics included:
Status of the CAOs Changes to (status of) Medical Assistance, SNAP, TANF, TANF Diversion, and LIHEAP Programs Bureau of Hearings and Appeals WIC Welfare to Work: TANF and ABAWDs CARES Act Stimulus payments2020-04-01 Homeownership and the Pandemic
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. offered a webinar entitled Homeownership and the Pandemic on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
This webinar discussed the options for homeowners for who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The effect of the state-wide court closure has had--and will have--on the filing of mortgage foreclosures was discussed, as well as the recent announcements from FHFA regarding mortgages owned by Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mac. The recent instructions from HUD to servicers of FHA-insured mortgages were also reviewed.
2020-03-27 Spring Training for Utility Law Advocates
Presenters: John Sweet, PA Utility Law Project and Joline Price, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. offered a webinar entitled Spring Training for Utility Law Advocates on Friday, March 27, 2020.
Spring is almost here and will bring with it the end of the winter moratorium for utility terminations, as well as the end of LIHEAP season. This session will help prepare new advocates prepare for a possible influx of utility termination cases and other utility related issues during this time.
Due to the ongoing developments related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have decided to slightly alter the format of this webinar. The webinar will begin by providing an update on how utilities and regulators are responding to the COIVD-19 Crisis, as well as providing an update about ongoing advocacy efforts. Tools for advocates to support clients in accessing affordable bills and restoring previously terminated services will also be discussed.
2020-03-20 Unemployment Compensation and COVID-19: What You Need to Know
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. offered a webinar entitled Unemployment Compensation (UC) and COVID-19: What You Need to Know on Friday, March 20, 2020.
During the current health crisis, many of our clients will temporarily or permanently lose their jobs, be unable to reach their workplace, or will be forced to stay home based on their own mild symptoms or the symptoms of a household member. These clients should be eligible for unemployment compensation.
This webinar provided basic training and information on Pennsylvania's unemployment system and information about current changes to law and procedure based on Covid-19. UC may be the only form of income available to our clients during this crisis and we must make sure they apply and have representation if they are wrongly denied benefits.
2020-03-10 Medicare Savings Programs and MAWD
Presenters: Amy Hirsch, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and Pam Walz, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
This webinar covers eligibility for two important types of Medicaid which may be available to people with disabilities, and to certain older adults, and are often a source of confusion.
Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) can provide full Medicaid coverage for individuals with disabilities who are under 65, and have incomes or resources higher than other Medicaid categories—as long as they have any earnings and are willing to pay an income based premium (often $50-$60/month) for their coverage.
The Medicare Savings Programs are also known as the Medicare Buy-In, and are Medicaid programs that pay for the cost of Medicare Part B, and, for some recipients, also pay for Medicare co-pays and deductibles.
Some individuals will have to choose between MAWD and the Medicare Buy-In, and some will only be eligible for one or the other. This webinar will cover eligibility for these programs, and how to advise clients who have to choose between them.
2019-12-04 Seizing the Moment: How to Help Clients Apply for Pardons in a New Era of Pardon Reform
Presenter: Jamie Gullen, Esq., Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
In the past year, the Board of Pardons has undergone substantial changes to its personnel and to its process. This webinar provided an overview of the pardon process, the new application, and the expedited marijuana process, with a focus on tips to incorporate pardon representation into legal aid practice. This session also discussed the funding available for PLAN programs who take on pardon representation.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/U9U-TNnVOxE
2019-11-08 Navigating the FED: Functional Eligibility Determination
Presenters: Pamela Walz, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia and Kate Vengraitis, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
The Department of Human Services recently introduced a new tool to determine whether applicants meet the level of care criteria for Medicaid-funded long term services and support, the Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) tool.
This program explained how the FED works, offered some early advocate experiences with it, and discuss strategies for successfully contesting functional eligibility denials.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/kkJ4J4UToR4
2019-11-01 LIHEAP for the 2019 – 2020 Season: What you and your clients need to know!
Presenters: John Sweet, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project and Lydia Gottesfeld, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
This webinar provides an overview of the LIHEAP program for the 2019-2020 season, updates on key changes from previous years, and tips and suggestions for advocacy in representing and advising clients about LIHEAP and their energy assistance options.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/OlZS2TyYiN0
2019-10-17 Public Charge: Responding to Questions About how a Client's Public Benefits Receipt Might Affect Their Immigration Case
Presenter: Maripat Pileggi, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
In August, the Department of Homeland Security published new regulations redefining the term “public charge.” These new rules will put more people at risk of being deemed a “public charge,” which will make it harder for many people in the U.S. to get green cards and visas.
This webinar explores when and how the receipt of public benefits would affect a client's immigration case.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/N_sqPW_Nag0
2019-06-06 Medicaid-Funded Supports for Low-Income Children with Behavioral Challenges
Presenter: David Gates, Esquire, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
This webinar discussed Medicaid-funded behavioral health services for children and youth, including what services are available and how to obtain them.
The webinar covered “Wraparound” services, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services, Family-based services, CRR host homes, and Residential Treatment Facilities. The role of the Behavioral Health Managed Care Organizations, the counties, and the State Office of Mental Health were also discussed.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/930vpVA_IE0
2019-05-23 Medicaid for Children: What Advocates Need to Know to Help Clients Obtain & Keep Medicaid Coverage & Services
Presenter: Danna Casserly, Pennsylvania Health Law Project
The webinar covered the eligibility rules for Medicaid and how to apply, an overview of Medicaid-covered services for children, and what to do if a client’s Medicaid application or service is denied.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/yWP2gpQ7h6E
2019-03-29 Protection From Abuse: What’s New in 2019
Presenter: Laurie Baughman, Esq., MidPenn Legal Services
The webinar detailed the changes to Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms and Protection From Abuse Acts as a result of Act 79. These changes become effective on April 10, 2019. Specifically, Act 79 enhances the protections for victims of domestic violence especially for victims whose abusers have firearms.
The Act also removes the provision in the law that previously allowed family or friends of the abusive party to act as third-party safekeepers and hold the defendant’s weapons for the duration of the protective order.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/rAakI7EE9nM
2019-02-28 Saving a Home Through Bankruptcy: Preparing Bankruptcy Filings
Presenter: Jennifer Schultz. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Jennifer Schultz of Community Legal Services led a this one-hour webinar on February 28, 2019 on interviewing your client before filing for bankruptcy, including information what documents your client will need, the nuts and bolts of actually filing the bankruptcy petitions and plan, and representing your client at the meeting of creditors (341 meeting).
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/D_wyQR5Pgj8
2019-02-15 Saving a Home Through Bankruptcy: A Primer for New Advocates
Presenter: Jennifer Schultz. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Jennifer Schultz of Community Legal Services led this one-hour webinar on February 15, 2019 introducing chapter 13 bankruptcy as an option for homeowners who are behind in their mortgages. Jennifer discussed when bankruptcy is right for a homeowner and when it is not. Jennifer also provided an overview of what a homeowner can expect when he or she files for bankruptcy.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/MBvVNlcdSa4
2019-01-24 Support for Self-Represented Litigants Using Principles of Procedural Justice
Presenter: Kate Wurmfeld, Center for Court Innovation
This was the second part of this two-part series providing a framework for improving access to justice in domestic violence cases through a procedural justice lens.
The discussion focused on the research underlying procedural justice, contextualizing these concepts within the realities of domestic violence cases and provided practical tools for overcoming the challenges to delivering procedural justice to all litigants.
This was an interactive session, where participants were asked to use the chat box to provide examples of procedural justice from their own work. They were also asked to identify challenges to delivering procedural justice and discuss unique strategic solutions, based on the information presented, to implement in their own practice and across the systems in which they work.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/gO73TDvgtAA
2019-01-17 Support for Self-Represented Litigants in DV Case
Presenter: Darren Mitchell, Consultant, Center for Court Innovation
This webinar, the first in a two-part series, will help legal service providers and others identify specific strategies to promote equal access to justice for self-represented litigants in cases involving domestic violence, exploring suggested practices for each key stage of family court proceedings, from information gathering by survivors through post-decree enforcement and modification.
To help participants enhance their own system's response, faculty described examples of successful strategies and approaches for better serving self-represented litigants in domestic violence cases from courts and communities across the country.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/P6sgtfx_uro
2019-01-11 Research Based Principles of Persuasive Messaging About Civil Legal Aid & Effective Story Telling using Client Examples
Presenters: Martha Bergmark, Voices for Civil Justice; Caitlin Brown, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia; and Christine Kirby, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Voices for Civil Justice Executive Director Martha Bergmark led participants through the results of the latest public opinion research about the civil justice system, as well as the fundamental principles of persuasive messaging, and what it all means for how we should talk about civil legal aid and civil justice reform.
Caitlin Brown, CLS Communications Director, and, Christine Kirby, PLAN Director of Advancement & Statewide Support will provide an overview of best practices in legal aid communication efforts and ethical considerations in sharing client stories.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/hnId4hd9lL0
2018-12-19 Appealing Involuntary Nursing Home Discharges
Presenter: Samuel Brooks, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Involuntary, and often times illegal, nursing home discharges are on the rise across Pennsylvania. This webinar will focus on how to appeal involuntary nursing home discharges. It will include an overview of federal and state laws regarding discharges from nursing homes and discuss strategies on how to represent nursing home residents in the appeal of these discharges.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/wULvy_Hy36c
2018-09-12 Effective Presentations for Legal Education & Advocacy
Presenters: Anna Steele, Just-Tech; Sart Rowe, Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project
Whether it is in a courtroom, CLE training, or community presentation, advocates can use PowerPoint as a tool to help engage their audience. However, ineffective Powerpoint presentations can be confusing, difficult to read, or can distract from the presentation’s overall objective.
This one-hour training reviews the basics of creating a presentation and highlights the steps advocates can take to give an impressive legal-oriented presentation.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/S37F3Q3eFZ4
2017-12-18 Confidentiality of Court Filings-New Public Access Policy
Presenters: Andrea Tuominen and David Price from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has adopted a new "Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of Appellate and Trial Courts", which will impact how attorneys file legal documents in the trial and appellate courts, beginning January 6, 2018. During the webinar presentation on December 18, 2017, participants received an overview of the new policy and practical tips to prepare for the policy’s implementation.
Video of Webinar: https://youtu.be/cUQ2byy8IPE