NCJ Number
44696
Date Published
1977
Length
181 pages
Annotation
THE DESIGN, METHODS, AND EARLY FINDINGS OF A PROJECT UNDERTAKEN BY THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION TO ASSESS A VARIETY OF MODELS FOR USING THE PRIVATE BAR TO DELIVER LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE CORPORATION'S DELIVERY SYSTEMS STUDY HAS THREE GOALS: TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY AND PRACTICALITY (IN TERMS OF COST, QUALITY, AND CLIENT SATISFACTION) OF DEMONSTRATION MODELS; TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE MODELS FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF COMMUNITIES; AND TO IDENTIFY THE TYPES OF DATA NEEDED BY THE CORPORATION AND ITS GRANTEES FOR MANAGEMENT PURPOSES, SO THAT A MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM CAN BE DESIGNED. THE STUDY DESIGN ENCOMPASSES QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ON COST, QUALITY, CLIENT SATISFACTION, AND CLIENT IMPACT FOR ALL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, SUPPLEMENTED BY CASE STUDIES. THE MODELS BEING TESTED INCLUDE JUDICARE, PREPAID LEGAL INSURANCE, CONTRACTS WITH LAW FIRMS, VOUCHER SYSTEMS, AND PRO BONO SYSTEMS -- ALL OF WHICH DIFFER FROM THE CORPORATION'S TRADITIONAL STAFF ATTORNEY PROJECTS IN THAT THEY USE PRIVATE LAWYERS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR. THE 20 DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA, MINNESOTA, ALABAMA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ILLINOIS, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, OREGON, TENNESSEE, UTAH, AND VIRGINIA. BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS ARE INCLUDED. THE INTERIM REPORT FOCUSES ON THE BACKGROUND AND GENERAL DESIGN OF THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS STUDY, NOTING BRIEFLY SOME OF THE GENERAL ISSUES THAT HAD EMERGED AT THE TIME THE REPORT WAS WRITTEN. PLANS TO CONTINUE THE STUDY AND TO USE STUDY FINDINGS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM ARE NOTED. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, CASE STUDY REPORTS, AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.