Meeting the Special Legal Needs of Homeless Veterans Jeff Yungman, Director Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project
Presentation Outline I. Introduction to the Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project II. The Homeless Justice Project Process III. Legal Issues Confronting Veterans Who Are Homeless
Crisis Ministries
Homeless Justice Project Philosophy: To help individuals and families who are homeless by removing obstacles, both legal and societal, that typically prevent them from regaining their selfsufficiency. The Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project is the first, and thus far, the only legal clinic in South Carolina that specifically serves the legal and social service needs of the homeless
Legal services provided by the Homeless Justice Project differ from traditional legal services in two ways: 1. Services are brought to the individual. 2. Advocacy provided by these services are holistic.
Holistic Advocacy Recognizes that an individual who is homeless has interrelated issues and problems in addition to the presenting legal problems. Holistic Advocacy focuses on and addresses not just the legal needs. Looks beyond legal needs to any issue, legal or non-legal that impede an individual s ability to end their homeless situation.
With holistic advocacy, service providers for the homeless become partners with lawyers. Service providers: Conduct intake to identify whether or not a legal issue exists; Assess the need for more in-depth social services; Provide the client with referral resources; Continually provide case management services separate from traditional legal services.
Current Partnership The Homeless Justice Project Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Crisis Ministries Homeless Shelter Charleston School Of Law Members of the Charleston County Bar
The Homeless Justice Project primarily handles civil legal matters, including, but not limited to: Disability claims, VA benefits, and other entitlements; Family law; including divorces, child support, and child custody; Birth certificates and identification Landlord/tenant issues; Wills and powers of attorney; Immigration issues; Expungements and pardons.
Homeless Justice Project Process 1. Assessment by intake coordinator or referral from VA case manager. 2. Assignment made to case manager depending on the problem presented. 3. A case manager conducts a more in-depth assessment. 4. If the resident has a legal issue, the case manager refers the matter to the Crisis Ministries Homeless Justice Project.
If there is a legal issue: Client meets with staff attorney, volunteer attorney, and/or law student. Legal intake conducted. Depending on the legal issue presented, the case is kept by the staff attorney or referred out. Whether referred or not, follow up is provided by the staff attorney and/or law student, with additional case management services provided by case management staff.
Legal Issues Confronting Veterans Who are Homeless A. Veterans Treatment Court B. Veterans Child Support Initiative C. Supportive Services for Veterans Families D. Social Security (SOAR) E. Driver s Licenses/Identification
Veterans Treatment Court Initiative of the Commission on Homelessness & Poverty Developed in recognition of the high incidence of mental illness (PTSD) & TBI in returning veterans Program to treat, rather than punish veterans who commit crimes due to mental illness or TBI First court in Buffalo, NY-now over 100 nationally
Veterans Child Support Clinic Also an initiative of the Commission Allows veterans who are homeless and who have child support obligations to address those obligations in a positive manner Involves partnership with the VA, Family Court, and Child Support Enforcement Currently nine pilot sites nationally, with Charleston the first non-pilot site
SSVF Supportive Services for Veterans Families Opportunity for a partnership between legal services and social services agencies An effort to utilize legal services to remove barriers to for veterans who are homeless resulting in homelessness prevention or rapid re-housing
Social Security SSI/SSDI Outreach, Advocacy, & Recovery (SOAR) Purpose: To get disability claims of chronically homeless, chronically mentally ill individuals approved at the initial stage Requires a great deal of up front work with clients Necessitates close working relationship with local SSA and disability determination offices
Driver s Licenses/Identification Driver s licenses often lost due to DUI convictions or nonpayment of child support Identification (State ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, and/or DD-214 lost or stolen due to homeless situation
Questions?