Description

Session Description

We will share findings from an evaluation of a partnership between a home visiting program (Healthy Families Massachusetts; HFM) and a medical legal partnership (MLPB). Through training and consultation, MLPB helps HFM home visitors to recognize the health-related legal needs of those they serve, understand the steps they can take to triage and address those needs, and better respond to families’ legal needs before they evolve into full-blown crises. Findings suggest MLPB helps HFM respond to an array of legal challenges, such as housing, immigration, and benefits. Home visiting staff were universally enthusiastic about how MLPB supported their work; educated them about policies, programs, and available resources; and helped them to feel better equipped to deliver effective services.

Session Takeaways

• Comprehensive family supports should include identifying health-related legal needs and engaging in role-aligned legal problem-solving.
  
  
• Findings suggest that home visitors consulting with a legal team are better equipped to help families access income supports, understand and address complex legal problems, and navigate complicated bureaucracies.
  
  
• A consistent relationship with a legal partner can help family programs build capacity to identify legal solutions on their own over time.