[Federal Register: May 25, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 102)]
[Notices]
[Page 33842-33849]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Grants Cooperative Agreements; Availability etc.: Civil Legal
Services to Poor--Various States
AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.
ACTION: Program Letters 98-1 and 98-6 regarding statewide planning and
Grant Assurances for FY2001.
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SUMMARY: Program Letters 98-1 and 98-6 regarding statewide planning
were issued in 1998 to solicit input on and assist recipients of Legal
Services Corporation funding in improving the delivery of legal
services to low-income persons. Recipients of such funding must also
agree to the Grant Assurances for FY2001 as part of the competitive
bidding process.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 26, 2000. Comments must be submitted on or before
this date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments should be submitted to Victor
M. Fortuno General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, Legal Services
Corporation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4250; 202-336-
8800.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1998 the Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
issued Program Letters 98-1 and 98-6 to all LSC recipients. These
program letters solicited input from LSC recipients on improving the
delivery of legal services to low-income persons through statewide
planning and coordination among LSC recipients. These letters are also
available via the Internet at http://ain/ainboard/RFP/Appxcvr.htm in
Appendix I. Although not required to publish these documents, LSC has
decided to do so. Statewide planning has become an increasingly
important aspect of the delivery of legal services to low-income
persons.
All recipients of LSC funding must agree to the Grant Assurances.
This document is also available via the Internet at http://ain/
ainboard/ainboard.htm under Application Forms. The Grant Assurances
addresses the recipient's agreement to comply with all applicable laws,
rules, regulations, guidelines, instructions, etc. and to cooperate
fully with all auditing, monitoring and compliance activities and
requirements. Although not required to publish this document, LSC has
decided to do so.
Comments received by LSC regarding these documents will be
considered as part of LSC's ongoing process of evaluating the best
means of delivering legal services to low-income persons and ensuring
LSC recipient compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations,
guidelines, instructions, etc.
Victor M. Fortuno,
Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel.
Program Letter 98-1, February 12, 1998, State Planning
Summary
This Program Letter calls upon all LSC recipients to participate in
a state planning process to examine, from a statewide perspective, what
steps should be taken in their states to develop further a
comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery system. State planners
should evaluate whether all programs are working in a coordinated
fashion to assure that pressing client needs are being met, that
sufficient capacities for training and information sharing exist, that
programs are moving forward together on technology, and are
collaborating to increase resources and develop new initiatives to
expand the scope and reach of their services.
In states with a number of LSC-funded programs and/or the presence
of very small programs, a key question to be answered is whether the
current structure of the state delivery system, and specifically the
number of programs, constitutes the most effective and economical way
to meet client needs throughout the state.
The state planning process should develop a report to be submitted
to LSC on or before October 1, 1998. We will be guided by your
recommendations when making our funding decisions for FY 1999 and
beyond.
Background
1995 Program Letter. In July 1995, in anticipation of Congressional
action on LSC's 1996 appropriation, we asked recipients in each state
to participate in the development of a plan for the design,
configuration and operation of LSC-funded programs in the state. In
view of potential LSC funding cuts and Congressional restrictions on
client services, we were especially concerned that recipients work
closely with other stakeholders (e.g., state and local bar
associations, IOLTA funders, the judiciary, client groups, non-LSC-
funded programs, and others with an interest in legal services) to
develop an integrated delivery system to address client needs. A
subsequent August 1995 Program Letter outlined the issues and criteria
the state planning process should address. Included were integration of
LSC-funded programs into a statewide legal services system;
advisability of consolidation of programs; consideration of efficient
intake and provision of advice and brief service; appropriate use of
technology; engagement of pro bono attorneys; and development of
additional resources.
Responses to Changes in Laws Affecting Clients and LSC Recipients.
Much has occurred since August 1995. Fundamental changes have been made
in laws and programs affecting eligible clients--changes which have
increased clients--need for legal information, advice, and
representation. At the same time, LSC appropriation measures have
resulted in deep funding cuts for many programs, elimination of LSC
funding of national and state support entities, and dramatic changes in
the range of services LSC recipients are permitted to perform. In
response, many states have initiated planning processes, developed new
partnerships to leverage resources, expanded funding sources,
implemented new technologies, and launched innovative methods for
serving clients.
Efforts to develop and strengthen comprehensive delivery systems in
order to improve and expand client services continue in many states.
Equal Justice Commissions, Bar sponsored committees, and organizations
of legal services providers continue to explore ways to maximize
services in a changed and changing environment. LSC supports these
ongoing state efforts and encourages others.
1998 Grant Decisions. In the 1998 LSC grant competition, we
determined that grants in several states that were eligible for three
year funding should be made for a shorter period. For North Carolina,
grants were made for one year. For New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
and Virginia, grants were made for two years. The decision to award
grants for a shorter period was made for two reasons: (1) To encourage
recipients in these states to develop further their plans for a
comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery system; and, (2) concern
that the number of LSC-funded programs in these states may not
constitute the most economical and effective configuration for
delivering legal services to the low-income community.
1998 Program Letter. This Program Letter calls upon all recipients
to re-examine and adjust as necessary their state delivery plans in
order to further improve and expand legal services to eligible clients
within the state.
A Comprehensive, Integrated Statewide Delivery System
In re-evaluating delivery plans, recipients should examine the
progress they have made in the past two and one
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half years in developing a comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery
system. Careful planning and coordination is necessary to insure that
pressing legal needs do not go unmet and that resources are used wisely
and economically. States must continue to innovate and develop new
strategies and alternative delivery models to make the most of scarce
resources--to reach more clients, and to provide higher quality
services through enhanced use of information technology; centralized
intake systems providing advice, brief services, and referrals;
expansion of community legal education, pro se, and other methods
promoting client self-help; better coordination with volunteer private
attorneys; and other, similar initiatives requiring substantial
resources and expertise to undertake.
There are many ways for states to achieve these goals. Many
excellent models exist of statewide fundraising, integrated technology,
statewide and regional hotlines, pro se projects, taskforces and
training. Recipients should evaluate which approaches will work best in
their states to achieve an even stronger, more effective system for
addressing client needs.
Recipients must also examine how the present configuration of
programs, and specifically the number of programs, impacts upon the
overall effectiveness of the state delivery system. In this regard, it
is especially important that each participant look at client services,
not from the view of just one city, or one county, or one program, but
from a statewide perspective.
What Is Required by This Letter
In the past two and one half years, several states have undertaken
extensive processes to evaluate their delivery systems and have
implemented, or are in the process of implementing, many state planning
recommendations. Additionally, some states have ongoing planning
processes involving a wide variety of stakeholders in the civil justice
system. We do not intend such states to repeat past, or supplant
current processes. Instead, we ask recipients to either work within
ongoing processes or develop new ones appropriate to the situation in
each state. In either case, we hope recipients and other stakeholders
will view this process as an opportunity to join together to strengthen
the delivery system and improve and expand services to clients.
In this context we call upon each LSC-funded program to share
responsibility for ensuring that a statewide planning process, whether
ongoing or to be initiated, addresses the questions discussed further
below. For each question state planners should:
<bullet> Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current
approach;
<bullet> Establish goals to strengthen and expand services to
eligible clients; and
<bullet> Determine the major steps and a timetable necessary to
achieve those goals.
A report should be submitted to LSC on or before October 1, 1998.
\1\ If a state has recently developed a plan which addresses the
substance of one or more of the following questions, for those
questions, the state need only report on the pertinent section(s) of
that plan.
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\1\ LSC will provide guidance at a later date on the format for
this report.
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In exceptional cases, it may not be possible for a state planning
process to fully address all of the following questions. In such cases,
recipients should contact the LSC staff member responsible for their
state.
The questions to be addressed are:
1. How are intake and delivery of advice and referral services
structured within the state? What steps can be taken to ensure a
delivery network that maximizes client access, efficient delivery, and
high quality legal assistance?
2. Is there a state legal services technology plan? How can
technological capacities be developed statewide to assure
compatibility, promote efficiency, improve quality, and expand services
to clients?
3. What are the major barriers low-income persons face in gaining
access to justice in the state? What efforts can be taken on a
statewide basis to expand client access to the courts, provide
preventive legal education and advice, and enhance self-help
opportunities for low-income persons?
4. Do program staff and pro bono attorneys throughout the state
receive the training and have access to information and expert
assistance necessary for the delivery of high quality legal services?
How can statewide capacities be developed and strengthened to meet
these needs?
5. What is the current status of private attorney involvement in
the state? What statewide efforts can be undertaken to increase the
involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of legal services?
6. What statewide financial resources are available for legal
services to low-income persons within the state? How can these
resources be preserved and expanded?
7. Where there are a number of LSC-funded programs and/or the
presence of very small programs, how should the legal services programs
be configured within the state to maximize the effective and economical
delivery of high quality legal services to eligible clients within a
comprehensive, integrated delivery system?
1. Intake and the Provision of Advice and Brief Services
How are intake and delivery of advice and referral services
structured within the state? What steps can be taken to ensure a
delivery network that maximizes client access, efficient delivery, and
high quality legal assistance?
A successful intake system is critical to effective and
comprehensive delivery of legal services. Over the past two years many
programs have instituted centralized telephone intake and delivery
systems which provide high quality advice and brief service assistance,
and promptly refer clients whose problems require more assistance to
program case handlers or other resources. In a number of states,
statewide or regional systems, using advanced telephone and computer
technology, have consolidated these functions in one location where
trained, experienced staff provide prompt access for clients and
minimize the risk of multiple referrals or loss of clients. These
systems improve the quantity and quality of advice, brief service and
referral assistance while increasing the number of extended service
cases which can be handled by the program.
State planners should evaluate the current status of intake and
delivery of advice and referral services within the state and develop
strategies for improvement. Consideration should be given to developing
regional and statewide intake and delivery systems which:
<bullet> Are client-centered, providing ease of access to legal
services and prompt, high quality assistance or referral;
<bullet> Use specialization to enhance case evaluation and
provision of advice, brief service and referral assistance;
<bullet> Make effective use of technology; and
<bullet> Provide oversight and follow-up to ensure high quality
legal services and client satisfaction. .
2. Effective Use of Technology
Is there a state legal services technology plan? How can
technological capacities be developed statewide to assure
compatibility, promote efficiency, improve quality, and expand services
to clients?
Within individual programs, effective use of technology can reduce
the cost and substantially enhance the quality of
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services. Collectively, technology can dramatically improve the
capacity of staff throughout the state to quickly exchange and share
information, improving their ability to stay current with the law,
develop legal strategies, write briefs and otherwise serve clients. In
the past two years, many programs have significantly increased their
technological capacities. On a statewide level, programs have used new
technologies to establish E-mail communication with all legal services
staff throughout the state; to connect with other service providers; to
exchange information with private attorneys participating in PAI
efforts; to establish centralized brief/pleadings/forms/manuals/
information banks; to create resource centers for information on state
law and policy developments; and to establish unified case management
systems which allow for data collection and outcome measures. New
technologies involving the Internet and advanced telephone and computer
applications have also been used to provide legal and program resource
information to clients.
Improving and staying current with technology is costly and makes
it all the more important that states take a unified approach and
develop a technology plan that will maximize collective capacity while
minimizing cost. A state technology plan should establish reasonable
goals and set forth steps to:
<bullet> Assure that all programs have networked computer access
for all staff; integrated case management; computerized timekeeping; E-
mail and the ability to electronically transfer documents; computerized
financial management systems; and technological support;
<bullet> Develop or improve compatible technological capacities
which will allow all staff, statewide, to communicate with each other,
share information, and take advantage of other efficiencies made
possible by computerization; and
<bullet> Use new technologies to provide legal and program resource
information to clients and other interested persons.
3. Increased Access to Self-Help and Prevention Information
What are the major barriers low-income persons face in gaining
access to justice in the state? What efforts can be taken on a
statewide basis to expand client access to the courts, provide
preventive legal education and advice, and enhance self-help
opportunities for low-income persons?
Pro se, community legal education and access to courts efforts have
great potential to address many of the legal needs of low-income
persons. Programs in many states utilize these methods to increase
legal information available to the public, empower clients to advocate
on their own behalf, and increase access to the courts for all low-
income people. Given the intensive effort required to implement such
strategies, and the influence state laws and rules have on such
initiatives, often these results can be realized more easily by
coordinated state level efforts. In several states, for example,
collaboration with state bar committees and state judicial
administrations has resulted in rule changes, publication of pro se
oriented materials and more accessible court systems. Likewise, the
development of self-help and community legal education materials has
benefitted from concerted statewide efforts involving a variety of
organizations working to make justice more accessible.
State planners should evaluate the status of pro se, community
legal education, and access efforts in their state and determine what
steps should be taken statewide to enhance their effectiveness in
meeting client needs. Consideration should be given to:
<bullet> Statewide coordination and/or production of pro se and
community education materials, such as brochures in multiple languages,
videos, cable-access TV programs, and projects designed to take
advantage of new technologies such as computerized pro se programs and
the world wide web; and
<bullet> State level initiatives, including efforts with bar
associations, the judiciary and other interested parties to increase
access to the courts.
4. Capacities for Training and Access to Information and Expert
Assistance
Do program staff and pro bono attorneys throughout the state
receive the training and have access to information and expert
assistance necessary for the delivery of high quality legal services?
How can statewide capacities be developed and strengthened to meet
these needs?
In the last two years several states have developed new or
strengthened existing capacities to ensure that staff and pro bono
attorneys throughout the state receive necessary training and have
access to information and expert assistance essential for the delivery
of high quality legal services. These states employ a variety of
methods to provide staff and pro bono attorneys with training on
substantive law and skills development, practice manuals and related
poverty law materials, information on poverty law developments and
strategies, and co-counseling for less experienced staff and pro bono
attorneys. Communication, planning and ongoing discussion concerning
major legal needs, poverty law developments, effectiveness of
approaches, and commonalities in legal work, helps ensure productive
use of resources. The use of new technologies has helped maximize the
effectiveness of these efforts.
State planners should evaluate current capacities for the provision
of training and related services essential for the delivery of high
quality legal services. Planners should:
<bullet> Assess how a statewide approach can address the needs for
these services of staff and pro bono attorneys throughout the state;
and
<bullet> Determine the steps necessary to provide these services as
effectively and efficiently as possible.
5. Engagement of Pro Bono Attorneys
What is the current status of private attorney involvement in the
state? What statewide efforts can be undertaken to increase the
involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of legal services?
In the past two years, several states have been successful in
enlisting or re-enlisting the state Bar, the judiciary and others in
developing and supporting private attorney involvement throughout the
state. These efforts have helped local private attorney involvement
programs expand participation rates and the range and types of services
available to clients. State planners should evaluate the current status
of private attorney involvement in the state and consider how statewide
strategies can increase engagement of pro bono attorneys and benefit
clients throughout the state, including areas of the state with lower
private attorney involvement.
Consideration should be given to:
<bullet> Renewed efforts to involve the Bar, the judiciary and
other leaders in the legal community in promoting private attorney
involvement;
<bullet> Providing greater opportunities for attorney participation
in a full spectrum of legal work, including advice and brief service,
negotiation, administrative representation, pro se classes,
transactional assistance, and simple and complex litigation;
<bullet> Providing greater opportunities for attorneys to assist
programs with training, co-counseling and mentoring staff; and
<bullet> Providing greater opportunities for law schools, corporate
counsel, government attorneys, and other professionals to engage in pro
bono activities.
[[Page 33845]]
6. Development of Additional Resources
What statewide financial resources are available for legal services
to low-income persons within the state? How can these resources be
preserved and expanded?
In the past two years, many programs have increased the resources
available to them through innovative grant projects, local fundraising
and other efforts. Even more dramatic, however, are the increases
programs have received in many states through collective development
and/or expansion of statewide revenues such as state appropriations,
filing fee surcharges, state fundraising campaigns, state bar dues
checkoffs and direct state bar grants. Whether new or expanded, these
revenues have almost always been the product of thoughtful planning
with programs and other stakeholders working together.
State planners should evaluate the possibilities for further
statewide resource development and develop a statewide strategy to
preserve, build, and/or create new financial and non-financial
resources in their state. Since program efforts to build such statewide
resources are more successful when many stakeholders participate, it is
especially important for planners to involve a variety of community
leaders in these efforts.
7. Configuration of a Comprehensive, Integrated Statewide Delivery
System
Where there are a number of LSC-funded programs and/or the presence
of very small programs, how should the legal services programs be
configured within the state to maximize the effective and economical
delivery of high quality legal services to eligible clients within a
comprehensive, integrated delivery system?
In most states, the present delivery structure reflects national
funding decisions made in the 1970's. In many states, those decisions
were not determined by analysis of what delivery structure would yield
the most economical and effective services to clients throughout the
state. Moreover, those decisions were made before such major
developments in legal services delivery such as IOLTA funding, private
attorney involvement, law school clinical programs, hotlines, the
emergence of other civil legal aid providers, and restrictions on
recipients' non-LSC funds; and before the information revolution and
the opportunities it presents with personal computers, E-mail,
sophisticated telephone technology, and the Internet. In light of
developments over the past twenty-five years, and especially since
1995, it is time to take a fresh look and re-evaluate those structures.
Re-evaluation is particularly critical in states with a number of
LSC-funded programs and/or the presence of very small programs. States
with many programs often suffer from uneconomical and inefficient
redundancy of effort, or no effort at all, in technology, training,
fundraising, and development of client services such as intake, advice
and referral systems or client education materials. Similarly, small
programs often lack the resources necessary to develop proper staff
supervision or appropriate specialization, or to acquire current
technology necessary for maximum effectiveness.
In addition, while individual programs may excel, a large number of
programs or the presence of small programs may result in unnecessary
diversion of the state's resources from client services to
administrative overhead. Each program, no matter how large or small,
must devote significant resources to A-133 audits, state and federal
tax and wage reports, funding applications, recordkeeping, personnel
policies, purchase and maintenance of technology and equipment, and
other administrative tasks. Experienced and accomplished lawyers spend
time on program administration when they could be using their talents
to represent clients, train or mentor new lawyers and otherwise lead
their program's legal work.
Where these conditions exist, state planners must consider whether
consolidation of programs would make better use of resources available
in the state.
There is no magic number of programs or a single delivery model
that fits all states. In some states, a statewide LSC provider makes
the most sense; in others, a regional approach or other configuration
may be appropriate. Each state must examine what configuration, from a
statewide perspective, maximizes services and benefits for clients
throughout the state. Factors to be considered include:
<bullet> Size, complexity, cultural and ethnic diversity/
homogeneity of client population.
<bullet> Geographic, physical, and historical distinctions and
affinities within the state.
<bullet> Variation in local client needs and ability to respond and
set priorities accordingly.
<bullet> Assessments of programs' performance and capacity to
deliver effective and efficient legal services in accordance with LSC
and other professional criteria.
<bullet> Ease and efficiency of client access to services and
opportunities for improvement.
<bullet> Capacity to efficiently and effectively conduct community
legal education, pro se and outreach activities.
<bullet> Level, uniformity, and plans for further development of
technological capacity.
<bullet> Current levels of private bar involvement and potential
for expansion.
<bullet> The availability of training, expert assistance, and
information about legal developments.
<bullet> Current funding sources and potential to expand resources
available to all programs.
<bullet> Cultural and ethnic diversity of program leadership and
management.
<bullet> Relative costs associated with fiscal and administrative
responsibilities and potential savings in management, board and
administrative costs.
In making grants for FY 1999 and beyond, we will look closely at
each state where there is currently a number of LSC-funded programs
and/or the presence of very small programs to assess whether careful
consideration has been given to consolidation of LSC programs. We hope,
and have faith, that in these states, this planning process will result
in plans for merger and consolidation of programs and integration of
services on a broader scale than we have previously seen, and that each
state's plan will result in a configuration that is efficient and
effective in providing access to justice for the state's low-income
clients.
Questions
LSC staff will be contacting recipients to discuss this Program
Letter. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact the LSC
staff member responsible for your state.
Program Letter 98-6, July 6, 1998, State Planning Considerations
Introduction
On February 12, 1998, the Corporation issued Program Letter 98-1
calling upon all LSC recipients to participate in a state planning
process to examine, from a statewide perspective, what steps should be
taken in their states to further develop a comprehensive, integrated
statewide delivery system. The Letter poses seven questions recipients
are to address in their planning processes and requests recipients to
submit a report to LSC on or before October 1, 1998. Many
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recipients have asked LSC to provide further guidance and additional
information about how the state planning process will affect LSC grant
decisions. Recipients have also inquired about the format for the
October 1 report. This Program Letter responds to these requests.
State Planning Considerations
The attached State Planning Considerations have been developed to
provide recipients and other stakeholders with more information about
statewide goals, capacities and approaches recipients should consider
in their planning processes. A number of other sources of information
that may assist state planners and upon which these Considerations draw
are referenced in the Planning Considerations. We hope these Planning
Considerations will help states develop effective plans to strengthen
their delivery systems and services to clients. We encourage recipients
with any questions about the State Planning Considerations or planning
process to contact the LSC staff member responsible for their state.
How the State Planning Process Will Affect LSC Grant Decisions
The Corporation is directed under the LSC Act to ``insure that
grants and contracts are made so as to provide the most economical and
effective delivery of legal assistance to persons in both urban and
rural areas.'' \2\ The state planning process will provide information
that helps LSC exercise this statutory responsibility.
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\2\ Legal Services Corporation Act, Section 1007(a)(3).
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1. Competition
a. Duration of Grants
The state planning process will provide information that helps LSC
determine the duration of grants for service areas in the 1999
competition, i.e., service areas that are eligible for grants of up to
three years commencing January 1, 1999.
In the 1998 LSC grant competition, we determined that grants in
several states that were eligible for three year funding would be made
for a shorter period. The decision to award grants for a shorter period
was made for two reasons: (1) To encourage recipients in these states
to develop further their plans for a comprehensive, integrated
statewide delivery system; and (2) concern that the configuration of
LSC-funded programs in these states did not constitute the most
economical and effective structure for delivering legal services to the
low-income community.
As with the 1998 competition, LSC will take into account state
delivery plans and configuration of programs in determining the
duration of grants for service areas now being competed. Where LSC
believes states need to further develop their plans for a
comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery system or where LSC
remains concerned about the configuration of LSC-funded service areas,
grants will be made for less than three years.
b. Service Areas
1. 1999 Competition
The state planning process will not affect decisions about the
number, size or configuration of service areas in competition this
year.
2. 2000 and Future Competition Years
Information received through the planning process will affect
future decisions regarding the most appropriate number, size and
configuration of LSC-funded service areas to be competed for the year
2000 and beyond. This includes service areas that become scheduled for
those years because of one or two year grant awards made in the present
1999 competition.
2. Grant Renewals
The state planning process will not affect decisions about the
number, size or configuration of service areas up for renewal or the
duration of grant renewals, i.e., previously made multi-year awards
which are now up for renewal. Decisions on renewal of these grants will
continue to be based upon a showing of the renewal applicant's
continued ability ``to perform the duties required under the terms of
its grant.'' \3\
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\3\ 45 CFR 1634.11.
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Format for the October 1 Report
The attached Instructions for State Planning Reports provide
information about the structure and format of the reports due at LSC on
or before October 1, 1998. Please contact the LSC staff member
responsible for your state if you have any questions.
Instructions for State Planning Reports
Please submit reports to the Office of Program Operations on or
before October 1, 1998. Reports should be no longer than 35 pages and
should contain the name and telephone number of a contact person(s).
The report should:
A. Briefly describe the state planning process and participants.
B. Address the following areas in the order presented. In
addressing each area, please consider LSC's State Planning
Considerations and:
<bullet> Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current
approach;
<bullet> Establish goals to strengthen and expand services to
eligible clients; and
<bullet> Determine the major steps and a timetable necessary to
achieve those goals.
1. Intake, Advice and Referral
How are intake and delivery of advice and referral services
structured within the state? What steps can be taken to ensure a
delivery network that maximizes client access, efficient delivery, and
high quality legal assistance?
2. Technology
Is there a state legal services technology plan? How can
technological capacities be developed statewide to assure
compatibility, promote efficiency, improve quality, and expand services
to clients?
3. Access to the Courts, Self-Help and Preventive Education
What are the major barriers low-income persons face in gaining
access to justice in the state? What efforts can be taken on a
statewide basis to expand client access to the courts, provide
preventive legal education and advice, and enhance self-help
opportunities for low-income persons?
4. Coordination of Legal Work, Training, Information and Expert
Assistance
Do program staff and pro bono attorneys throughout the state
receive the training and have access to information and expert
assistance necessary for the delivery of high quality legal services?
How can statewide capacities be developed and strengthened to meet
these needs?
5. Private Attorney Involvement
What is the current status of private attorney involvement in the
state? What statewide efforts can be undertaken to increase the
involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of legal services?
6. Resource Development
What statewide financial resources are available for legal services
to low-income persons within the state? How can these resources be
preserved and expanded?
7. System Configuration
How should the legal services programs be configured within the
state to maximize the effective and economical delivery of high quality
[[Page 33847]]
legal services to eligible clients within a comprehensive, integrated
delivery system? \4\
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\4\ States with only one LSC-funded program need not answer this
question.
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Form C--Assurances 2001 LSC Grant Competition
If applicant is successful and receives an LSC grant or contract,
Applicant Hereby Assures and Certifies That:
1. It will comply with the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974
as amended (LSC Act), and any applicable appropriations acts and any
other applicable law, all requirements of the rules and regulations,
policies, guidelines, instructions, and other directives of the Legal
Services Corporation (Corporation or LSC), including the LSC Audit
Guide for Recipients and Auditors, the Accounting Guide, the CSR
Instruction Handbook and with any amendments of the foregoing adopted
before or during the period of this grant. It understands that
successful applicants may be expected to sign further assurances before
the awarding of the grant.
2. It will not use funds received from a source other than the
Legal Services Corporation for any activity inconsistent with the
requirements of Public Law 106-113, Public Law 105-277, Public Law 105-
119 and Public Law 104-134.
3. If the Applicant is a non-profit organization, its governing
board will set specific priorities in writing, consistent with the
requirements of 45 CFR Part 1620.
4. It agrees to be subject to all provisions of federal law
relating to the proper use of federal funds listed in 45 CFR
1640.2(a)(1). Before the initiation of the contract, the Applicant 's
employees and board members will have been informed of the federal law
and its consequences as required in 45 CFR 1640.3.
5. It has the legal authority to apply for and receive a grant from
the Legal Services Corporation.
6. It will provide legal services in accordance with the plans set
out in its grant application, as modified in further negotiations with
the Corporation, and agrees to provide high quality, economical, and
effective legal assistance, as measured by generally accepted
professional standards, the provisions of the LSC Act, or a rule,
regulation or guidance issued by the Corporation.
7. It will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,
gender, age, disability, national origin, or any other basis prohibited
by law against: (1) Any person applying for employment or employed by
the Applicant; or (2) any person seeking assistance from the Applicant
or other program(s) supported in whole or in part by this grant.
8. It will provide the Corporation with copies of the following
policies applicable to the employees, partners, and applicants for
employment funded in whole or in part under this grant: its Equal
Opportunity Policy Statement, including its Complaint Review Procedure
or internal means of handling employee grievances; and its Sexual
Harassment Policy, including an effective complaint procedure. Each of
these will have been reviewed and approved by its governing or policy
board within the last three years. It will notify the Corporation prior
to the implementation of changes to its Equal Opportunity Policy
Statement.
9. Notwithstanding grant assurance number 10 below, and
Sec. 1006(b)(3) of the LSC Act, 42 U.S.C. 2996e(b)(3), it shall make
available financial records, time records, retainer agreements, client
trust fund and eligibility records, and client names, except for those
reports or records subject to the attorney-client privilege, to the
Corporation and any federal department or agency that is auditing or
monitoring the activities of the Corporation or of the Applicant and
any independent auditor or monitor receiving federal funds to conduct
such auditing or monitoring, including any auditor or monitor of the
Corporation.
10. It will cooperate with all reasonable and necessary information
collection, including surveys, questionnaires, monitoring, audit, case
statistical report (CSR) data, compliance and evaluation activities
undertaken by the Corporation or its agents. During normal business
hours it will give any authorized representative of the Corporation or
the Comptroller General of the United States access to and copies of
all original records, books, papers and documents pertaining to the
grant in its possession, custody or control, except for that properly
subject to the attorney-client privilege, applicable rules of
professional responsibility or attorney work product which may be
withheld to the extent consistent with grant assurance 9 above. Access
must be provided to materials with information otherwise available in
the public record (e.g. pleadings filed in open court) and to program
financial records (e.g. negotiable instruments, vendor files, travel
records, journals and ledgers.) It agrees to provide the Corporation
with the requested materials in a form that meets the Corporation's
need for information and, to the extent possible, protecting the
reasonable personal privacy interests of its staff members. Should it
withhold records or information on these grounds, it shall disclose the
withholding and the basis therefor to LSC. LSC may require the grantee
to disclose the information if LSC determines that the justification
for withholding it is inadequate. In the event that records are
unreasonably withheld, the Applicant will be responsible for all
reasonable and necessary expenses related to LSC's efforts necessary to
obtain the release of such records. It will not take any retaliatory
action against any employee because of any cooperation with or release
of information to LSC representatives.
11. It agrees to implement all specific record keeping requirements
contained in the LSC Act, regulations, appropriations act, other
applicable law, and other applicable LSC directives and to implement,
as required, any additional specific record keeping requirements that
may be forthcoming from the Corporation during the grant period.
12. It will give written notice to the Corporation within thirty
(30) calendar days after any of the following occurrences which involve
activities funded by the grant:
a. A decision to close and/or relocate any main or staffed branch
office;
b. Change of Chairperson of the governing/policy body;
c. Change of chief executive officer;
d. Change in its Charter, Articles of Incorporation, By-laws or
governing body structure;
e. Receipt of any notice of a claim for attorneys' fees under the
provisions of Sec. 1006(f) of the LSC Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2996e(f). The
Applicant will also forward, upon receipt, a copy of the pleading
requesting these attorneys' fees; or
f. Change in the Independent Public Accountant performing the
grantee's annual financial audit.
13. It agrees that, prior to any merger or consolidation or other
change in its current identity or status as a legal entity, it will
provide the Corporation with sixty (60) days written notice. If it
proposes to transfer its interests in its LSC grant to another entity
pursuant to a merger or consolidation, it will seek approval from the
Corporation for such transfer and will submit a Successor in Interest
Agreement for approval by the Corporation.
14. In the event that the applicant ceases to be a recipient of LSC
grant funds during the 2001 grant term for whatever reason,
a. It agrees to provide the Corporation with written notice at
least sixty (60)
[[Page 33848]]
days before the Applicant voluntarily ceases to be a recipient of LSC
grant funds during the term of this grant.
b. It will submit to the LSC, Office of Program Performance, at the
time that it provides the written notice in (a) above that it is
voluntarily ceasing to be a recipient of LSC grant funds or within
fifteen (15) days from being notified by LSC that it will cease to be a
recipient of LSC grant funds, a plan for the orderly conclusion of the
role and responsibilities of the applicant as a recipient of LSC funds.
The plan should describe:
1. The immediate transition planning with the new provider,
particularly as related to intake, accounting of all open cases
(including PAI cases) and transfer of existing cases and contracts;
2. The disposition of the recipient's fund balance, if any,
pursuant to 45 CFR Part 1628. The applicant understands that the LSC
fund balance amount, including any derivative income from LSC-funded
activities which exceeds the 10-25 percent threshold amount pursuant to
45 CFR Section 1628.3(d), unless waived by LSC in writing, shall be
returned to the Corporation;
3. An accounting of all real property purchased in whole or in part
with LSC funds. The applicant understands and agrees to abide by any
agreement it has with the Corporation governing the purchase of real
property in whole or in part with LSC funds. The accounting should
include:
i. The address and a brief description of the property and the date
it was acquired;
ii. The total amount of funds expended to acquire or improve the
property, including principal and interest payments, and payment for
capital improvements;
iii. The total amount of LSC funds expended to acquire or improve
the property, including principal and interest payments, and payment
for capital improvements;
iv. The fair market value of the property;
v. A statement indicating the program's plans for disposing of the
property; and
vi. Copies of any agreements or contracts governing the disposition
of the property.
4. The total costs associated with cessation of LSC funding, and
funds available to meet those costs, supported by a budget detailing
the planned close out expenditures, and plans for securing payment or
reimbursement due under contract from non-LSC sources; and
5. An accounting of all personal/non-expendable property purchased
in whole or in part with LSC funds, which has a current book or market
value exceeding $1,000. The accounting list should include for each
item of property:
i. A brief description of the property item;
ii. The date of acquisition of the property item;
iii. The total amount of funds expended to acquire the property;
iv. The amount of LSC funds expended to acquire the property;
v. The fair market value of the property;
vi. A plan for disposing of all such property, pursuant to the 1981
Property Management Manual for LSC Programs or its duly adopted
successor; and
vii. If the property is to be transferred, an assurance that the
program, acquiring the property, will use the property in connection
with the delivery of legal assistance to low-income persons.
c. It shall certify at the time it submits the plan in (b) above
that an Independent Public Accountant will audit the recipient's 2000
financial statements, internal controls and compliance with applicable
laws and regulations in accordance with the LSC Audit Guide for
Recipients and Auditors and Government Auditing Standards. It shall
submit to LSC's Office of the Inspector General an engagement letter
from its Independent Public Accountant that includes an estimate of the
LSC-funded portion of the total estimated audit cost for FY 2000 under
section 509(c) of Public Law 104-134, as incorporated by Public Law
105-277 and Public Law 106-113.
d. It shall certify at the time it submits the plan in (a) above
that it will submit Grant Activity Reports in a format specified by the
Corporation in a timely manner;
e. It shall participate in an orderly and professional transition
of functions to the new provider to deliver services in the service
area; and
f. The recipient understands and agrees that, after it gives notice
to LSC or after receipt of notice from LSC of the cessation of funding,
the receipt of all future installments after such notice shall be
contingent upon satisfactory completion of all closeout obligations
imposed by the Corporation including the obligations described herein.
15. It will give telephonic notice to the LSC Office of Inspector
General (OIG) within two (2) working days of the discovery of any
information that indicates the Applicant may have been the victim of
misappropriation, embezzlement or other theft or loss of any funds (LSC
funds, non-LSC funds used for the provision of legal assistance or
client funds). Such notice shall be followed by written notice by mail
or facsimile within ten (10) calendar days. Written notice of a theft
of any property other than funds will be provided to the OIG within ten
(10) calendar days from the time of the discovery of the theft. The
required notice shall be provided regardless of whether the funds or
property are recovered.
16. It will notify the Corporation within twenty (20) days of any
of the following arising from an LSC funded activity: a monetary
judgment; sanction or penalty entered against the program for matters
such as Rule 11 sanctions; malpractice judgments; EEO claims; IRS
penalties; penalties arising out of the Americans with Disabilities
Act; or voluntary settlement of any similar action or matter; or any
other matter which may have a substantial impact on its delivery of
services.
17. It understands and agrees that it will arrange for an audit and
execute an agreement with its auditor that meets the requirements of
LSC's Audit Guide for Recipients and Auditors. The Applicant also
understands and agrees that if it fails to have an audit acceptable to
LSC 's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in accordance with LSC's Audit
Guide for Recipients and Auditors, the following sanctions shall be
available to the Corporation as recommended by the Office of Inspector
General: (1) Disallowance of the cost of the audit as a charge against
LSC funds; (2) the withholding of a percentage of the recipient's
funding until the audit is completed satisfactorily; and (3) the
suspension of the recipient's funding until an acceptable audit is
completed.
18. It shall cooperate with the Corporation in the Corporation's
efforts to follow up on the reportable conditions, findings, and
recommendations found by LSC, the Government Accounting Office, and/or
the Applicant's independent public accountants to ensure that instances
of deficiencies and noncompliance are resolved in a timely manner.
Applicant management shall expeditiously resolve all such reported
conditions, findings, and recommendations, including those of sub-
recipients, to the satisfaction of the Corporation.
19. It understands that the LSC Office of Inspector General may
remove, suspend or bar an independent public accountant, upon a showing
of good cause and after notice and an opportunity to be heard.
20. It certifies that it has a computer that meets or exceeds the
following specifications: Pentium/266mhz, or equivalent computer
system, 64 megabytes of Random Access Memory; 4 gigabyte hard disk
drive; color
[[Page 33849]]
monitor; Internet access; and Netscape 4.7 or Internet Explorer 5.0
browser.
The applicant certifies that it has, or will obtain, access to e-
mail on each casehandler's desk before December 2001. The applicant
further certifies that, by the same deadline, access to the World Wide
Web will be available in each office that houses more than three
persons. Each staff member will be appropriately trained in the use of
applicable software.
21. It will submit, for each year of the grant and for each service
area for which a grant is awarded, Grant Activity Reports in a format
and at a time determined by the Corporation. If, during the course of
the grant year, Grant Activity Reports no longer accurately reflect
actual activity (e.g., CSR, budget, and staffing data) of the program,
it will revise and resubmit affected Grant Activity Reports to the
Corporation.
22. It is aware of and agrees that an award of a multi-year grant
under the competitive bidding process does not obligate LSC to disburse
any funds that are not authorized or appropriated by Congress nor does
it preclude the imposition of additional conditions, by LSC or the
Congress, on any funds that are so disbursed. During calendar year
2001, authority for LSC to disburse some of the funds under the grant
award may be rescinded by Congress, or sequestered, thereby reducing
the actual amount of funds disbursed under the grant. Further,
additional restrictions may be imposed on the use of funds as a result
of such appropriation, authorization legislation, or other law. In
subsequent years, the amount of and conditions upon funding may be
changed to conform to Congressional appropriation levels and legislated
restrictions. Such changes and reductions, however implemented by the
Legal Services Corporation, shall not constitute a termination or
suspension.
23. It will maintain during the grant period and for a period of
six (6) years from the date of termination of the grant all records
pertaining to the grant. With respect to financial records, it will
maintain records and supporting documentation sufficient for the
Corporation, or an independent auditor selected by the Corporation, to
audit those records and determine whether the costs incurred and billed
are reasonable, allowable and necessary under the terms of the grant.
In this regard, the Applicant will permit the Corporation or its
auditor to review the originals of all financial records and supporting
documentation, procedures and internal control systems. Additionally,
the Corporation retains the right to perform, or engage independent
auditors to perform such an audit, whether during or subsequent to the
grant period.
24. It shall retain closed client files for a period of not less
than five (5) years.
We have read these assurances and conditions and understand that if
this application is approved for funding, the grant and all funds
derived therefrom will be subject to these assurances. We certify that
the Applicant will comply with these assurances if the application is
approved.
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Name of Executive Director/(or functional equivalent)
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Title
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Signature
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Date
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Name of Governing/Policy Board Chairperson (Or other organization
official authorizing this application)
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Title
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Signature
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Date
[FR Doc. 00-13189 Filed 5-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P