2007-08 Community Partnership Panel Grants Funding Summaries

Acadiana

Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) - $5,400
FVIP received funds to expand their educational programs to the Crowley area. The FVIP conducts the 26-week educational programs for men convicted of domestic violence-related charges.

Acadiana Agency on Aging - $3,000
File folders were purchased and distributed for the elderly to create a “portable file cabinet.” After a brief educational seminar conducted by staff, participants are instructed to include information such as "legal consultations, medical records, insurance issues, and family interventions” in the folder. The agency hopes this will assist the elderly during routine legal and medical consultations, and in the case of another evacuation.

Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation (Protective Order Panel) - $3,000
To meet the growing needs of the Protective Order Panel, funding was requested for the improvement of training materials for volunteer attorneys, as well as for related administrative expenses. Funding was also requested for the recent increase in court related expenses.

Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation (Homeless Program) - $2,850
Funding was provided to the H.E.L.P. program for a variety of needs, including: birth certificates, identification, office supplies, and staff salaries. Lafayette Parish Bar Foundation - $750: Funding was provided for the purchase and distribution of 50 Mock Trial instructional DVDs.


Capital Area

Capital Area Family Violence Intervention Center - $10,803
Two part-time attorneys to represent domestic violence victims at protective order hearings in Ascension, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Point Coupee Parishes will receive this funding.

Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge (Immigration Legal Services) - $4,197
Funds assisted in the purchase of immigration law treatises for staff attorneys and pro bono volunteer use. Additionally, funding assisted with expenses related to traveling to Oakdale to educate and represent indigent immigrants.


Central

Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church - $11,000
Financial assistance will aid start of an immigration legal service organization in the Alexandria area. The grant will also assist indigent clients.

Central La. Pro Bono Project - $2,023
With this funding, a new copier was purchased and pro bono brochures are currently being created for local distribution.

Alexandria Bar Association - $1,977
Funds were used to assist with costs associated with pro bono work at the Giordano Law Firm.


Greater Orleans

CASA of Jefferson Parish - $5,000
Two books on foster care were purchased for youth with CASA appointed volunteers. The first book, for younger children, explains foster care and the court process in an easily understandable format. The second book, for older youths, provides guidance on how to make the most of their lives after foster care.

The Pro Bono Project - $5,000
Funds were requested for the launch of an Administrative Law Clinic to meet the Project's high-volume FEMA and Social Security appeals caseload.

Youth Empowerment Project/Orleans Parish Juvenile Court - $5,000
Financial assistance was provided to assist the revitalization of New Orleans Teen Court, which closed in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.


Northshore

Southeast La. Legal Services - $15,000
Funds will be used for office space and services provided by Southeast to their existing West St. Tammany office. The space will be utilized by local attorneys handling pro bono cases in the area. The Covington Bar will publicize the effort to its members.


Northeast

CASA of Northeast Louisiana - $10,000
Funding will supplement the new Community Development Coordinator's salary. Their duties include the recruitment of volunteer advocates.

The Wellspring Alliance for Families - $5,000
The Wellsping's Supervised Visitation program and new TransParenting, a program for families going through a divorce, received funding.


Northwest

Training, Education, and Mediation for Students (TEAMS) - $15,000
Advocates for children's rights in the Northwest region received funding to assist with mediation between the students, the Caddo and Bossier Parish public school system, and the court. TEAMS goal is to ensure students with special needs are guaranteed their rights under federal special education laws.


Southwest

The Whistle Stop - $7,500
The Whistle Stop provides a safe environment for court-ordered visitations between children in foster care and their non-custodial parents. Funds will be used to improve those services.

CASA of Family & Youth - $7,500
Funding will assist with the salary and benefits of those responsible for recruiting and training CASA volunteers in the Southwest region of our state.