Legal Aid provides updates to community partners

Legal Aid provides a periodic update to community partners on important news and events.  To join this email list, contact Anne Sweeney, managing attorney of community engagement: anne.sweeney@lasclev.org.

Here is an update shared today via email:

Ohio Updates:

• CareSource consumer who receive care at the Cleveland Clinic have until November 30, 2017 before coverage is either confirmed or terminated.  Individuals and families who have CareSource as their managed care plan for Medicaid AND who receive health care from the Cleveland Clinic now have until November 30, 2017 to decide what to do.  Previously, the Cleveland Clinic sent a termination notice that would have ended health care coverage for such patients effective September 1, 2017.  Just recently, CareSource and the Cleveland Clinic announced they are making progress on a long term agreement and have extended benefits temporarily.  The Cleveland Clinic does have contracts with other Medicaid managed care plans including Buckeye Health Plan, Paramount Advantage, and United Health Care Community Plan.   CareSource consumers who want to change to another plan should call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 1-800-324-3280.  More detailed information about the changes for CareSource consumers who use the Cleveland Clinic are described in this flyer.
• New American Sign Language resources for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing – NOW AVAILABLE! Disability Rights Ohio and the Deaf Services Center worked together with support from the Ohio State Bar Foundation to create 18 videos explaining legal rights and remedies in ASL as well as services available through DRO.  The resources are available at http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/deaf-hard-hearing.  Examples include “Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can get help to communicate in court” and “Your right to effective communication with medical and other treatment providers” among many other important topics.
• Ohio is eliminating Disability Financial Assistance (DFA).  State funding for Disability Financial Assistance (DFA) was recently repealed so the program will be terminated by the end of 2017.  DFA is cash assistance ($115/month) for low-income individuals with a disability who are not receiving OWF, SSDI, or SSI.  Typically, DFA provided a source of income to individuals who are unable to work but still waiting on a decision from Social Security on a pending disability application.  As of July 1, 2017, no new applications for DFA are being accepted.  Current DFA recipients are being phased out from now until December 31, 2017.  Recipients should receive prior written notice of the termination.

 Local Updates:

• Domestic Relations Court Help Center Now Open in Cuyahoga County! For those seeking a divorce, dissolution, legal separation or child support and are unable to hire an attorney, the Help Center is a great resource.  Court staff is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m.  to help  fill out and file the necessary forms to address  family law issues.  Computers with internet access and printers are also available.  No appointment is necessary but the best time to go is before 3:00 p.m.  Plan on spending at least two hours at the Court, depending on the issue.  The Help Center is located in Domestic Relations Court (1 Lakeside Avenue, Room 29).  More information is available at http://domestic.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/department-help-center.aspx.
• Healthy cooking class offered at Neighborhood Family Practice. Join NFP for a cooking class on low cost and healthy meal planning and preparation.  The class will include: meal tasting, food preparation, kitchen tool giveaway, recipes to take home and much more!  Space is limited to only 10-12 participants, so RSVP to Lindsay ASAP at 216.281.0872 ext. 293.  The class will be held on September 21 from 1 – 3 PM at NFP (3569 Ridge Rd., Cleveland, Ohio  44102.  See more info on this flyer.
• Women in Sustainable Employment (WISE) course offered at Oberlin Community Services this fall! WISE Pathways is a career exploration course designed for women to explore non-traditional, in-demand jobs in the energy, utilities, construction and manufacturing industries.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn about career paths, strategies in conflict management, team-building, and workplace expectations; create a resume; practice online applications and interviewing; and be connected with recruiters from participating companies.  For more information, contact Colette Park at 440-774-6570 or by email at Colette@oberlincommunityservices.org.  Click here for a flyer with more information.
• Join Ashtabula Community Action for Keys to the Community on September 7th! This event provides important information about using 2-1-1 to access services and more detailed information about programs and services available from The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Head Start/Early Head Start, Mya Women's Center, and Signature Health. It will be held in the Blue and Gold Room at Kent State Ashtabula from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.  Please RSVP if you plan to attend to Tiffany at treid@accaa.org.  Visit https://lasclev.org/event/09072017-2/ for more info.
• Text 911 in an emergency! In Cuyahoga County, emergencies can be reported by texting 911 as of July 1, 2017.  More information is available at http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2017/06/have_an_emergency_you_can_text_to_911_in_cuyahoga_county_beginning_july_1.html.

 Legal Aid Updates:

• Legal Aid is hiring for a Community Engagement outreach paralegal position! We seek applicants who strive for justice and equity, who meet people and build connections, and who are committed to working with low income communities.  The outreach paralegal engages in community education, works in partnership with other organizations, and provides support to Legal Aid attorneys.  He/she will support relationships with established and potential partners, organize meetings, coordinate information and attend events. The paralegal will spend significant time outside the office, engaging with community groups throughout Legal Aid’s 5 counties.  Visit this weblink for the job details and instructions on how to apply: https://lasclev.org/communityengagementjobpost/
• Free legal advice for CMHA residents and HCVP (Section 8) participants on September 19, 5:00 – 6:30 pm, at CMHA (8120 Kinsman Road). Any resident of CMHA or participant in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) may walk in for free legal advice to this first come, first served Brief Advice Clinic.  Help is available for problems related to housing, health care, employment, family matters and more.  Bring all documents related to the problem or questions to the clinic.  Click here for flyer.
• Apply for a CQE if not eligible to seal a criminal record. Legal Aid is now assisting individuals with criminal records who are interested in applying for a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE).  A CQE does not seal or expunge the record, but will allow those who have a felony or misdemeanor conviction to apply to the court to lift the collateral sanction that would automatically bar them from being considered for employment, certification or licensure in a particular field.  To apply for help from Legal Aid, call our intake line at 888-817-3777.
• Attention entrepreneurs – tax help available! Learn about federal tax issues facing self-employed individuals, single members of an LLC, or persons who are the sole shareholders in an S corporation in a newly published brochure available here.  Also, Legal Aid’s Low Income Tax Payer Clinic may be able to help you if you have a current problem.  Call 1-888-817-3777 to apply for help.
• Legal Aid will be in the neighborhood! Click here for a printable flyer – or see all of Legal Aid’s upcoming FREE legal advice clinics by visiting our online calendar!