Subcommittee on Holistic Approach to Client Issues- Issue Identification Recommendations March 3, 2000 There must be an ongoing two-way flow of information between the companion delivery system (non-restricted programs) and LSC-restricted programs which identify legislative and administrative issues (or potential issues) impacting low-income communities. This information dissemination process should be capable of transmitting information about emergency issues in an expedited manner. FLS should have primary responsibility for collecting and disseminating to all programs in the delivery system information about legislative and administrative issues of statewide importance. However, mechanisms to ensure identification of potential legal and administrative advocacy issues must be in place in all programs. To ensure that this goal is met, each program within the delivery system must identify a contact person to whom this information will be transmitted. Field programs should develop and implement active intake systems (see Neil McBride article) which will enable program staff to solicit information from clients on a broad range of problems impacting the low income community and which do not solely depend on the client=s capacity to identify legal issues. Field programs need to take responsibility for identifying potential legislative and administrative advocacy issues, and compiling client stories for FLS on these issues, regardless of the program=s capacity to actually do the advocacy work. Identification of potential legislative issues need to be sent to FLS at least annually, no later than September 30th to allow sufficient time for FLS staff to prioritize issues, obtain bill sponsors and engage in other preparation for the upcoming session. Consistent and uniform instructions from project directors must be given to staff both in restricted and non-restricted programs on the importance of identifying potential legislative and administrative issues and their program=s capacity and obligation to work with the companion delivery system in providing information and clients on these issues. Programs need to develop and implement outreach and intake strategies which solicit information from clients groups on priority concerns which may be potential legislative and administrative advocacy issues. Programs need to develop and implement outreach strategies to solicit information from human services organizations serving low income clients on priority concerns which may be potential legislative and administrative advocacy issues. Programs need to develop and implement case screening mechanisms which incorporate legislative and administrative advocacy as a potential legal strategy available to the client, regardless of the program=s capacity to pursue such strategies. Additional expertise needs to be developed within field programs on rule challenge litigation under the Florida APA, including administrative issues which can be resolved through APA remedies.
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