Support for the Family

In considering what cases or matters the program shall undertake, CLAS will place a high priority on those cases in which legal assistance supports the integrity, safety, and well-being of the family. Support for the family shall be an overriding priority consideration.

Preserving the Home

Preserving the home shall be an important priority in both cases and matters, as shall provision of assistance to those families or individuals who have become homeless (e.g., representation of clients in evictions or foreclosure actions, legal advice or assistance to tenant associations, correction of unhealthy or unsafe conditions in public or private rental housing, etc.).

Maintaining Economic Stability

In order to assist clients in maintaining economic stability, CLAS shall give high priority to cases in which an individual, family or group's source of income is at risk (e.g., representation in administrative hearings relating to SSI or unemployment benefit claims, consumer cases, representation in divorce or post-divorce cases with child support, spousal support or property issues, etc.).

Safety, Stability and Health

CLAS will endeavor to offer assistance whenever the safety, stability and health of an individual, family or group is at risk (e.g., civil domestic violence actions, divorce representation in cases with domestic violence or custody issues, health care access, etc.).

Protecting Individual Rights

CLAS will assist clients in protecting individual rights such as the right to a suitable education or personal freedom (e.g., representation of prospective wards in guardianship proceedings or any other proceeding in which the personal freedom of a senior citizen or a person with a disability is in jeopardy, assistance to parents and guardians with Individualized Education Plans, etc.).

Increasing Services Available to Clients and Client Access to the Justice System

CLAS will expand and promote pro bono and other programs which bring additional resources for clients into our service area. CLAS will advocate for low-income persons within the legal system to promote full and fair access to the justice system.

Strengthening Local Communities

CLAS is part of a network of organizations which provide services to the community’s poorest citizens or to citizens with disabilities. CLAS should engage in work intended to improve services to the low-income community and in work that strengthens the overall community.

CLAS recognizes that local funders respond to community needs by providing grants to assure that additional services are provided in specific types of cases or matters. It is CLAS’ intent to seek such grants and, to the greatest extent possible, respond to the requests of local funders.