Legal aid in the time of coronavirus: Letter from the Executive Director
April 8, 2020
To LASP friends and partners:
With Pennsylvania's federal disaster declaration approved on March 30 due to the coronavirus public health pandemic, and with Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Bucks counties part of the state epicenter of the outbreak, LASP staff have mobilized to continue to support our communities from remote locations with limited physical operations.
LASP is committed to ensuring the health and safety of staff and clients during this crisis. At the same time, LASP provides essential services in its region and cannot simply shutter its operations. LASP staff are rising to the challenge to continue to help those members in our community who are most in need. On March 20, the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) requested clarification from Gov. Tom Wolf on the order to close "non-life-sustaining" businesses. On March 29, Gov. Wolf formally issued a letter permitting PLAN and 14 legal services programs across the state, including LASP, to continue operations at their physical locations, while complying with social distancing and other mitigation efforts to minimize risk to employees and the public.
There can be no question that LASP services are essential and will continue to be so as the effects of the crisis will likely remain for the long-term. Domestic violence will not stop and will likely spike as stress and anxiety rise. There will be landlords who take self-help measures against tenants, parents who do not return children after visitation periods end, and hourly employees at the many businesses affected by closures who will face loss of income and employment and challenges paying for food, rent, and other necessities. They will need assistance to navigate social safety net programs, which are seeing dramatic changes. LASP continues to assist clients with these and other emergent concerns.
To continue helping low-income people and to protect staff and clients, LASP has implemented the following measures:
Staff are working remotely to the greatest extent possible;
Helpline operations continue, and LASP is accepting new clients;
Advocates continue to represent clients at all scheduled court appearances and administrative hearings. (Note that hearings are still occurring in all four counties, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and Children and Youth.)
Walk-in intake, clinics and community outreach events are temporarily canceled.
Managers meet regularly by video conference.
Your support of LASP is appreciated, welcomed, and needed now more than ever. If you have a neighbor, friend, or family member with a legal issue affecting a basic human need – with their housing, income, utilities, or with a family law issue or domestic violence, please think of LASP as a resource during this difficult time to help. We are available via our Helpline, 877-429-5994, Monday-Friday, and through our online intake portal.
Sincerely,
C. Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania