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Changes to MOIA's legal services funding and program structure

2:47:58

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Council Member Avilés inquires about the consolidation of MOIA's legal services programs, including the Asylum Seeker Legal Assistance Network and resource navigation center. MOIA officials explain that the consolidation aims to reduce confusion and increase access points for immigration legal services.

The consolidation prioritizes legal services due to high demand
ASLAN services will be folded into current contracts
The change is in response to public testimony and observed needs

Alexa Avilés

2:47:58

So starting in fiscal twenty six, programs like the Asylum Seeker Legal Assistance Network and the resource we gotta find shorter names.

2:48:07

And the resource navigation center are inclusive of the legal support center.

2:48:13

Why were these programs funding consolidated into a single budget?

2:48:18

And will they still be run by the same providers?

2:48:20

I guess it's an overlap of the last question.

Manuel Castro

2:48:25

In part to address your last point, to limit confusion as to where immigrants can access services.

2:48:32

We want to provide the resources so that these centers, housed in nonprofits, can provide legal services and other services.

2:48:40

We're prioritizing of course legal services because that is what is in high demand.

2:48:46

Jess, do you wanna add to that?

Jasniya Sanchez

2:48:49

I'll start and then I'll pass it on to my colleague Lauren as well.

2:48:53

Yes, as part of consolidating the work, The work that has been done through the Asylum Seeker Assistance Network known as ASLAN has been legal services that will be folded into the services that are being provided by these current contracts.

2:49:18

So it's, you know, and we're also ensuring that we increase the number of access points for immigration legal services for all immigrants, right.

2:49:30

Whether they're recent arrivals or you know, they're, you know, have been here in the city for many years or are also you know perhaps have a wholesome sort of temporary status.

2:49:43

But I'll pass it on to Lorena to add more.

Lorena Lucero

2:49:45

Yeah the only point I'll add is that during the preliminary budget hearing over half of the public testimony focused on increasing legal services.

2:49:53

So in a response, but also in a response to the need that we're seeing from folks from around, we thought this was the best approach to fold in to to create additional touch points for legal services.

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Implementation of the new legal support center/Action NYC model