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Q&A
Addressing concerns about the new legal support center model
2:00:34
·
3 min
Council Member Avilés raises concerns about the new legal support center model, including the elimination of crucial access points, potential watering down of the program, and deprioritization of full representation. MOIA officials respond to these concerns and explain how they've incorporated feedback.
- MOIA implemented many recommendations received through the procurement process
- The new model allows for collaboration with public institutions like libraries and hospitals
- Full representation is included as a possible service under the new contracts
- Multiple addendums were published reflecting feedback from providers
- Council requests a clear articulation of how feedback was incorporated into the new model
Alexa Avilés
2:00:34
In terms of in terms of the repackage program, providers noted some severe problems eliminating crucial access points.
2:00:49
So I'm not sure how maybe you've corrected the fact that in the old program, you could access in libraries and other places.
2:00:58
In the new program under the RFP, it seemed like that was removed unless it was put back in.
2:01:06
A denial of actually, a watering down of the actual program model, providing less staffing and less legal counsel, not funding adequate staffing levels and associated costs, a deprioritization of full representation for immigrants who need these important legal services, and the potential for jeopardizing continuity.
2:01:38
But it seems like because it got pushed out that hopefully will not be a problem.
2:01:44
So have you addressed these pretty significant issues that were raised by providers?
Manuel Castro
2:01:53
Yeah.
2:01:54
Through the procurement process, we've received feedback, and we've implemented many other recommendations, which is partly the reason why the date was moved.
2:02:04
Our deputy commission can weigh add more to this, but we certainly included much of the feedback, including expectation for these community based legal support centers to work closely with institutions like local public libraries, local schools, hospitals to be able to support immigrants in need of these services.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:02:30
What I will add to that is that under the new procurement there was really no limitation in terms of the model that proposers could submit, right, in terms of like their collaboration with public institutions, whether it be hospitals or libraries.
2:02:53
So there was no limitation on that.
2:02:56
Also with regards to what you shared about full representation, this is also laid out in in the request for proposals.
2:03:09
Know full representation is one of the services that could be provided under these new contracts.
Alexa Avilés
2:03:17
So I guess we don't have to go through this now, but you received a significant amount of feedback.
2:03:29
What I don't see very clearly is how that feedback has been incorporated.
2:03:35
So if you can provide to us a clear articulation of where feedback was incorporated and or where there may have been some compromises or still differences of opinion, I don't see very clearly where how that is articulated.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:03:54
Sure.
2:03:55
We can do that.
2:03:55
What I will add here is that through the procurement process, right, there were also various number of addendums were also
Alexa Avilés
2:04:07
published.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:04:11
And that's also a reflection of the feedback that we had gotten from providers and folks applying to this procurement.