Florida Legal Services Inc

FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES CONNECTING KIDS TO COVERAGE PROJECT - FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES (FLS) IS REQUESTING $1,500,000 TO CONDUCT A 3-YEAR ‘CONNECTING FAMILIES TO COVERAGE’ PROJECT THAT WILL CONNECT AND HELP ENROLL/REENROLL FAMILIES THROUGHOUT FLORIDA INTO MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE ALL FLORIDA FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP, INCLUDING CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND PREGNANT WOMEN. OVERALL, FLORIDA HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF SIX STATES WHERE CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY AT RISK OF LOSING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. THE PROJECT WILL TARGET EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO TWO DISTINCT FLORIDA REGIONS WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE AT ESPECIALLY HIGH RISK OF LOSING COVERAGE OR REMAINING UNINSURED: THE NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA/BIG BEND REGION, AND ORANGE-OSCEOLA COUNTIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. THE NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA/BIG BEND REGION CONSISTS OF PRIMARILY RURAL COUNTIES WITH HIGH POVERTY RATES AND SIGNIFICANT ACCESS BARRIERS TO THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS. THE ORANGE-OSCEOLA REGION HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST POPULATIONS OF HISPANIC/LATINO PEOPLE IN THE STATE, WHO ARE AT A PARTICULARLY HIGH RISK OF GOING WITH MEDICAID OR CHIP COVERAGE DESPITE BEING ELIGIBLE. FLS WILL USE CMS FUNDS TO SUPPORT A PROJECT DIRECTOR, 3 OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT SPECIALISTS, A GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, AND A PART-TIME INTAKE AND CLIENT FOLLOWUP ASSISTANT. AN FLS ATTORNEY WHO HAS SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HER 25-YEAR LEGAL CAREER CONCENTRATING ON HEALTH CARE ACCESS ISSUES AND WHO HAS SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH ACCESSING MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE IN FLORIDA WILL ACT AS THE PROJECT DIRECTOR. THE REMAINING STAFF WILL BE HIRED AND TRAINED WITHIN THE FIRST 90 DAYS OF THE PROJECT, DURING THE MANDATORY PLANNING PERIOD. WE WILL ALSO RECRUIT LAW STUDENT INTERNS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PROJECT STAFF. PROJECT STAFF WILL CONDUCT MULTI-PRONGED OUTREACH TO REACH FAMILIES WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE, INCLUDING: INTERNAL CLIENT REFERRALS FROM OTHER FLS PROGRAMS; THIRD-PARTY REFERRALS FROM LOCAL LEGAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS; COMMUNITY NETWORKING AND OUTREACH EVENTS; AND A ROBUST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE SELF-REFERRALS. PROJECT STAFF WILL ALSO ACCEPT REFERRALS, COMPLETE CLIENT INTAKES, AND ASSIST ELIGIBLE FAMILIES IN COMPLETING APPLICATIONS, WITH REGULAR FOLLOW-UP UNTIL THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION IS MADE. OUTREACH AND CLIENT ASSISTANCE WILL BE CONDUCTED BOTH IN PERSON AND THROUGH VIRTUAL PLATFORMS. OVERALL, WE ANTICIPATE ACCOMPLISHING THE FOLLOWING MEDICAID/CHIP OUTCOMES UNDER THE PROJECT: 2,105 CHILDREN WITH HEALTH COVERAGE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED; 2,035 CHILDREN NEWLY ENROLLED IN MEDICAID/CHIP; 1,200 CHILDREN RENEWED IN MEDICAID/CHIP; 975 PARENTS WITH HEALTH COVERAGE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED; 705 PARENTS NEWLY ENROLLED IN MEDICAID; 1,050 PARENTS RENEWED IN MEDICAID; 240 PREGNANT WOMEN WITH HEALTH COVERAGE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED; 195 PREGNANT WOMEN ENROLLED IN MEDICAID/CHIP; 195 PREGNANT WOMEN (POST-PARTUM) RENEWED IN MEDICAID/CHIP.

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20121, IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY AID VICTIMS (AGES 11 AND OLDER) OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THAT ABUSE OR VIOLENCE. LEGAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY AND PRIVACY; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY; AND D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WHERE THE CONVICTION OF A VICTIM IS RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING. 34 U.S.C. 12291(A)(24)(C) AND (D). THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, INC., IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FLORIDA COUNCIL AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE, WILL PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA) TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED WHILE INCARCERATED IN FLORIDAS JAILS OR PRISONS. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AREA: STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT INCLUDING VICTIM SERVICES AND CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES. THE FOLLOWING PRODUCT WILL BE UPDATED DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD: OUTREACH FLYER DESCRIBING AVAILABLE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO FLORIDA'S SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTERS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-21-GG-00411-LEGA.

PURPOSE: PURPOSE FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, INC. (FLS) RECEIVED OUR FIRST FHOI-CDC GRANTS IN FY2021 AND FY2022. WE SEEK PEI-MYFC FUNDING IN ORDER TO FURTHER DEVELOP OUR CAPACITY AS A FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION, TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES INTO ONE NEW COUNTY, TO EXPAND OUR TESTING PROGRAM, AND TO EXPAND AND INCREASE OUR ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED FLS WILL CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WITH FHOI-CDC FUNDING: ? EXPAND OUR FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM TO COVER SUMTER COUNTY, FL ? STAFF TRAINING - PROVIDE 60 TOTAL HOURS OF FAIR HOUSING TRAINING FOR STAFF ANNUALLY; ? PARTNERSHIPS: ESTABLISH 10 NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND MAINTAIN 25 EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS ANNUALLY, TO ASSIST WITH DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATERIALS AND HOST OUTREACH AND EDUCATION EVENTS; ? FAIR HOUSING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN: ? OUTREACH - PARTICIPATE IN 6 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS ANNUALLY; ? SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS: MAKE 50 FAIR HOUSING RELATED POSTS ANNUALLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SUCH AS LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, ETC.; ? PARTICIPATE IN 2 BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWS (RADIO, TV, PODCAST, ETC) EACH YEAR TO DISCUSS FAIR HOUSING TOPICS; ? FAIR HOUSING MATERIALS - REVIEW/REVISE 10 EXISTING PRINTED MATERIALS ON FAIR HOUSING BASICS, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS, SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, FAIR HOUSING FOR NEW HOMEBUYERS, FAIR HOUSING FOR LGBTQ+, FAIR HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, FAIR HOUSING FOR HOUSING PROVIDERS, AND DISPARATE IMPACT UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. ? CONTINUE PROVIDING VERSIONS OF PRINTED MATERIALS IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, CREOLE, MANDARIN, MIXTECO, AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE. PROVIDE NEW TRANSLATIONS OF SELECTED MATERIALS INTO DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AS NECESSARY DEPENDING ON POPULATION NEEDS. ? EDUCATION AND TRAINING SESSIONS - CONDUCT 8 EDUCATION AND TRAINING SESSIONS ANNUALLY IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH ON A VARIETY OF FAIR HOUSING TOPICS (E.G., FAIR HOUSING BASICS, FAIR HOUSING AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, IMMIGRANT HOUSING RIGHTS, VAWA PROTECTIONS FOR DV SURVIVORS, FAIR HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, FAIR HOUSING FOR HOUSING PROVIDERS, FAIR HOUSING PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ+). ? CONDUCT 2 FAIR HOUSING MONTH EVENTS EACH YEAR; ? FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT: ? TESTERS: RECRUIT AND TRAIN 10 NEW TESTERS ANNUALLY, WITH GOAL OF 60 TESTERS IN TESTING POOL BY YEAR 3 ? CONTINUE USE OF GEOFENCING ADVERTISING FOR TESTER RECRUITMENT ? SYSTEMIC INVESTIGATIONS: INITIATE OR CONTINUE 2 SYSTEMIC INVESTIGATIONS EACH YEAR ? TESTING: CONDUCT 705 TOTAL TEST PARTS OVER THE 3-YEAR GRANT PERIOD (260 RENTAL, 135 SALES, 75 HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE, 45 DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, 90 PRACTICE TESTS); ? INTAKES: PROCESS 180 INQUIRIES FOR PRIMA FACIE VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION OVER THE 3-YEAR GRANT PERIOD; ? REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS: ASSIST AT LEAST 10 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES PER YEAR IN REQUESTING OR OBTAINING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS ? REFERRALS: REFER 45 ENFORCEMENT PROPOSALS TO HUD OR A SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT AGENCY; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: EXPECTED OUTCOMES FLS EXPECTS THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT: ? FLS FAIR HOUSING STAFF WILL GAIN INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND EMERGING FAIR HOUSING ISSUES; ? FLS WILL MAINTAIN A NETWORK OF AT LEAST 35 PARTNERS WHO WILL ASSIST US WITH DEVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS AND HOSTING WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR THE PROJECT; ? A TOTAL OF 34,800 PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION THROUGH OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM, INCLUDING: ? 15,000 OVERALL VIEWS OF AND/OR ENGAGEMENTS WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (COMMENTING, SHARING, REPOSTING, ETC.); ? 15,000 PRINTED MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, PLUS ONE OR MORE OTHER LANGUAGES DEPENDING ON THE TARGET AUDIENCE; ? 1,500 PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWS; ? 600 PEOPLE EDUCATED/TRAINED THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS, AND 70% OF ATTENDEES WHO RESPOND TO SURVEYS WILL INDICATE AN INCREASE IN FAIR HOUSING KNOWLEDGE; ? 300 ATTENDEES REACHED THROUGH FAIR HOUSING MONTH EVENTS; ? 2,400 PEOPLE AT COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS RECEIVE FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION; ? ENFORCEMENT ? TESTER POOL EXPANDED TO LEAST 60 TESTERS WITH DIVERSE CHARACTERISTICS AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION; ? TEST PROGRAM INCREASED TO OVER 200 TEST PARTS EACH YEAR (RENTAL, SALES, HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION); BASED ON EXPERIENCE, WE ANTICIPATE AT LEAST 33% OF TESTS WILL SHOW CAUSE TO BELIEVE DISCRIMINATION HAS OCCURRED; ? 180 POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION RECEIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITH FAIR HOUSING CLAIMS; ? AT LEAST 30 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH REQUESTING OR OBTAINING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS; ? 45 HOUSING DISCRIMINATION VICTIMS RECEIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLAINTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INTENDED BENEFICIARIES THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO BENEFIT ALL PROTECTED CLASSES IN THE 15-COUNTY PROJECT AREA WHO EXPERIENCE OR ARE AT RISK OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. THE PROJECT WILL SPECIFICALLY TARGET THE FOLLOWING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THAT ARE AT HEIGHTENED RISK OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: AFRICAN AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN HISTORICALLY SEGREGATED COMMUNITIES; ASIAN AMERICANS IN ORLANDO AND GAINESVILLE; HISPANICS, INCLUDING HISPANIC IMMIGRANT FARMWORKERS WHO ARE OFTEN LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT AND LIVE IN RURAL AREAS; PEOPLE WHO ARE LGBTQ+; FEMALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIVING IN PUBLIC OR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING; PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; JEWISH PEOPLE; AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO TARGET TESTING AND EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES LIVING WITH THE AFTEREFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATION GIVING RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES SUCH AS POOR AIR QUALITY OR THE EXISTENCE OF BROWNFIELDS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO TARGET LANDLORDS AND OTHER HOUSING PROVIDERS FOR TRAINING ON AREAS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT THAT ARE OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD, SUCH AS TREATMENT OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE

FLS LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT

FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, INC., A STATEWIDE NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM, WILL PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO CRIME VICTIMS ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDAS CRIME VICTIMS, WHO ARE CRITICALLY UNDERSERVED BY THE STATE'S VICTIM AND LEGAL SERVICES SYSTEMS. THE PROJECT WILL BE LED BY A SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, PROJECT ATTORNEY, AND PROJECT PARALEGAL. ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE INDIVIDUALIZED, HIGH-QUALITY, TRAUMA-INFORMED CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO CRIME VICTIMS.

VA IS PROVIDING FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH THE COSTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND PARTICIPANTS

FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES (FLS) PROPOSES A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO PROVIDE VICTIM-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED, CULTURALLY, AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA. FACING SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC BARRIERS, THESE VICTIMS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO VARIOUS CRIMES AND ARE CRITICALLY UNDERSERVED BY THE STATE'S VICTIM AND LEGAL SERVICES SYSTEMS. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO ENHANCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERMENT, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THE PROPOSED PROJECT BUILDS ON FLS' CURRENT FY2022 ENHANCING ACCESS FUNDING, THROUGH WHICH WE HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH EXISTING HAITIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND VICTIM SERVICES AND LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. FLS WILL PILOT A UNIQUE OUTREACH MODEL, FOCUSING ON A MORE CONCENTRATED PARTNERSHIP WITH TWO NONTRADITIONAL, LOCAL ENTITIES DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THIS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY: GLOBAL HELP CENTER AND DAILY BREAD DISTRIBUTION CENTER. TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR LEP HAITIAN SURVIVORS, FLS WILL ESTABLISH MONTHLY OFFICE HOURS AT PARTNER LOCATIONS ENGAGING CRIME VICTIMS IN A FAMILIAR, SAFE, AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT ACKNOWLEDGES AND ADDRESSES SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES. PARTNERS WILL FUNCTION AS A COMPREHENSIVE, PHYSICAL HUB FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR THIS COMMUNITY. FLS PLANS TO DEVELOP AND REFINE THIS NON-TRADITIONAL PARTNERSHIP MODEL, EVALUATING ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND OPTIMIZING ITS IMPLEMENTATION, WITH THE GOAL OF SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION AND REPLICATION WITH OTHER PARTNERS STATEWIDE. THE PROJECT WILL BE LED BY A FULL-TIME PROJECT ATTORNEY AND A PART-TIME SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, BOTH FLUENT IN HAITIAN CREOLE AND RAISED IN HAITIAN FARMWORKER COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA. THE PROJECT ATTORNEY HAS SPENT TWO YEARS DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS AND TRAININGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS SERVING HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS AND HAS EXPERIENCE CREATING A MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. SHE HANDLES IMMIGRATION, PUBLIC BENEFITS, FAMILY LAW, HOUSING, AND CONSUMER ISSUES. THE SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, WHO WILL OVERSEE THE PROJECT, ALSO OVERSAW THE FLS PROJECT TO ENHANCE ACCESS FOR LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS, AND HAS OVER 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS STATEWIDE THROUGH BOTH TELEPHONIC LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION IN COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS ON LEGAL MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE VICTIMIZATION, SUCH AS INJUNCTIONS FOR PROTECTION, FAMILY LAW, IMMIGRATION, HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND CONSUMER MATTERS. AS A RESULT OF THEIR CAPACITY-BUILDING AND PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES, FLS EXPECTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO AT LEAST 125 LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS, AND ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES IN AT LEAST 60% OF CASES RESOLVED.

FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES (FLS) IS PROPOSING A NEW TWO-YEAR PROJECT TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE ACCESS TO VICTIM-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED, LINGUISTICALLY AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS. THIS IS A POPULATION THAT IS RAPIDLY GROWING IN FLORIDA AND IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE AS A RESULT OF CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC BARRIERS TO CRIMES SUCH AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, AND THEFT/FRAUD. IT IS ALSO CRITICALLY UNDERSERVED BY THE STATE’S VICTIM SERVICES AND LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS. THE FLS PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO THESE VICTIMS THAT CAN HELP THEM ENFORCE LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND ACHIEVE PHYSICAL SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE, EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND MORE POSITIVE OUTCOMES.    THROUGH THE PROJECT, FLS WILL ALSO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH EXISTING HAITIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND VICTIM SERVICES AND LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. FLS WILL CONDUCT OUTREACH TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO ORIENT THEM TO THE PROJECT AND TO ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE. FLS WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS ON CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED ASSISTANCE TO THIS POPULATION. TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR LEP HAITIAN SURVIVORS, FLS WILL CATALOG THE LINGUISTIC CAPABILITIES OF PROVIDERS AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE STATE,  AND DEVELOP A REFERRAL MATRIX TO FACILITATE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE REFERRALS. THE REFERRAL MATRIX WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER INTERESTED PROVIDERS.   THE PROJECT WILL BE STAFFED BY A FULL-TIME PROJECT ATTORNEY AND PART-TIME SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, BOTH CURRENTLY ON STAFF AT FLS, WHO WERE RAISED IN HAITIAN FARMWORKER COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA AND SPEAK FLUENT HAITIAN CREOLE. THE PROJECT ATTORNEY HAS SPENT THE PAST TWO YEARS DEVELOPING A MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP IN CENTRAL FLORIDA THAT SERVES HAITIAN FARMWORKERS, AND HAS EXPERIENCE HANDLING A VARIETY OF LEGAL ISSUES INCLUDING IMMIGRATION, PUBLIC BENEFITS, FAMILY LAW, HOUSING, AND CONSUMER MATTERS. THE SUPERVISING ATTORNEY, WHO WILL OVERSEE THE PROJECT, HAS OVER 10 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.   THE PROJECT WILL SERVE LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS STATEWIDE THROUGH BOTH TELEPHONIC LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION IN COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS ON LEGAL MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE VICTIMIZATION, SUCH AS INJUNCTIONS FOR PROTECTION, FAMILY LAW, IMMIGRATION, HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND CONSUMER MATTERS. AS A RESULT OF THEIR CAPACITY-BUILDING AND PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES, FLS EXPECTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO AT LEAST 100 LEP HAITIAN CRIME VICTIMS, AND ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES IN AT LEAST 60% OF CASES RESOLVED.

FLS HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION INITIATIVES

FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION INITIATIVES

PURPOSE: TO ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE REGIONAL AND LOCAL, COMMUNITY BASED AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS, THAT DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, CARRY OUT, OR COORDINATE PROGRAMS AND/OR ACTIVITIES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER, THE FAIR HOUSING ACT (42 U.S.C. 3601-3619) OR ABOUT STATE OR LOCAL LAWS THAT PROVIDE SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT RIGHTS AND REMEDIES FOR ALLEGED DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES. AWARD DESCRIPTION SOURCE - ASSISTANCE LISTING FROM SAM.GOV; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: NO VALUE PROVIDED; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: NO VALUE PROVIDED; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: ANY PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS AGGRIEVED BY DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX DISABILITY FAMILIAL STATUS OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. ANY PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS, INCLUDING LANDLORDS OR REAL ESTATE AGENTS, TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICES BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, DISABILITY, FAMILIAL STATUS OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. AWARD DESCRIPTION SOURCE - ASSISTANCE LISTING FROM SAM.GOV; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NO VALUE PROVIDED

PURPOSE: FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, INC. (FLS) SEEKS FUNDING UNDER THE EOI-GC COMPONENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING AND EXPANDING OUR FAIR HOUSING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO CONTINUE AND INCREASE OUR CURRENT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM; TO DEVELOP NEW PRINTED MATERIALS AND EDUCATION SESSIONS TO RESPOND TO EMERGING FAIR HOUSING NEEDS IN OUR AREA; TO EXPAND OUR PROJECT INTO ONE NEW COUNTY WITH SIGNIFICANT POPULATIONS OF PROTECTED CLASSES AT RISK OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION; AND ULTIMATELY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CONTACT US FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: FLS WILL CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WITH EOI-GC FUNDING: ? EXPAND OUR FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM TO COVER SUMTER COUNTY, FLORIDA ? STAFF TRAINING - PROVIDE 60 TOTAL HOURS OF FAIR HOUSING TRAINING FOR STAFF; ? PARTNERSHIPS: ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN 30 PARTNERSHIPS TO ASSIST WITH DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATERIALS AND HOST OUTREACH AND EDUCATION EVENTS; ? OUTREACH: PARTICIPATE IN 12 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS; ? SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS: MAKE 100 FAIR HOUSING RELATED POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SUCH AS LINKEDIN, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, ETC.; ? BROADCAST MEDIA: PARTICIPATE IN 2 BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWS (RADIO, TV, PODCAST, ETC) TO DISCUSS FAIR HOUSING TOPICS; ? PRINTED FAIR HOUSING MATERIALS: ? REVIEW/REVISE THE FOLLOWING EXISTING FAIR HOUSING MATERIALS AND MAKE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, PLUS CREOLE, MIXTECO, MANDARIN, TRADITIONAL CHINESE, AND/OR LARGE PRINT AS APPROPRIATE FOR THE TARGET AUDIENCE: ? FAIR HOUSING BASICS BROCHURE ? REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS BROCHURE ? FOTONOVELA ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING ? FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BOOKMARK ? FAIR HOUSING PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ+ BROCHURE ? FAIR HOUSING FOR NEW HOMEBUYERS BROCHURE ? FAIR HOUSING FOR HOUSING PROVIDERS BROCHURE ? DISPARATE IMPACT BROCHURE ? EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS BOOKMARK ? FAIR HOUSING CHILDREN’S COLORING & ACTIVITY BOOK (INCLUDES VOCABULARY AND LESSONS ABOUT FAIR HOUSING) ? DEVELOP 1 NEW BROCHURE ON FAIR HOUSING & RELIGION ? NEWSLETTER: CONTINUE PUBLICATION OF MONTHLY FAIR HOUSING NEWSLETTER THAT INCLUDES FAIR HOUSING NEWS/UPDATES, UPCOMING EVENTS, AND REMINDERS ABOUT FHA PROTECTIONS. DISTRIBUTE ELECTRONICALLY. ? WEBPAGE: CONTINUE UPDATES TO THE FLS FAIR HOUSING WEBPAGE TO PROVIDE MORE CONTENT, INFORMATION IN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES, AND INTERACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM FLS. REVIEW/MAINTAIN THE FAIR HOUSING PAGE FOR SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY AND MAKE UPDATES/REVISIONS AS NECESSARY; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: LS WILL MAINTAIN A NETWORK OF AT LEAST 30 PARTNERS WHO WILL ASSIST US WITH DEVELOPING AND DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS AND HOSTING WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR THE PROJECT; ? AT LEAST 27,830 PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION THROUGH OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM, INCLUDING: ? 10,000 OVERALL VIEWS OF AND/OR ENGAGEMENTS WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (COMMENTING, SHARING, REPOSTING, ETC.); ? 12,450 PRINTED MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, PLUS ONE OR MORE OTHER LANGUAGES DEPENDING ON THE TARGET AUDIENCE (CREOLE, MANDARIN, MIXTECO, AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE); ? 1,000 PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWS; ? 1,800 PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER; ? 510 PEOPLE EDUCATED/TRAINED THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS, AND 70% OF ATTENDEES WHO RESPOND TO SURVEYS WILL INDICATE AN INCREASE IN FAIR HOUSING KNOWLEDGE; ? 50 ATTENDEES REACHED THROUGH FAIR HOUSING MONTH EVENTS; ? 2,000 PEOPLE AT COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS RECEIVE FAIR HOUSING INFORMATION; ? ENFORCEMENT ? AT LEAST 20 INQUIRIES RECEIVED THROUGH FAIR HOUSING WEBPAGE; ? 35 POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION RECEIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITH FAIR HOUSING CLAIMS; ? 7 HOUSING DISCRIMINATION VICTIMS RECEIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLAINTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT;; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: TARGET THE FOLLOWING VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE AT HEIGHTENED RISK OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: AFRICAN AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN HISTORICALLY SEGREGATED COMMUNITIES; ASIAN AMERICANS IN ORLANDO AND GAINESVILLE; HISPANICS, INCLUDING HISPANIC IMMIGRANT FARMWORKERS WHO ARE OFTEN LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT AND LIVE IN RURAL AREAS; PEOPLE WHO ARE LGBTQ+; FEMALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIVING IN PUBLIC OR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING; PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; JEWISH PEOPLE; AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO TARGET LANDLORDS AND OTHER HOUSING PROVIDERS FOR TRAINING ON AREAS OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT THAT ARE OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD, SUCH AS TREATMENT OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: NONE

FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION INITIATIVES

FAIR HOUSING ORGANIZATION INITIATIVES

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES