Model Practices & Innovations

LSC's Model Practices & Innovations page offers numerous resources on providing and managing legal services, legal aid technology, and strategic planning.

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New Article: COVID-19 Eviction Assistance

Read the latest MPI article on how two LSC grantees, Idaho Legal Aid Services and Legal Aid of Western Michigan, helped clients navigate rapidly changing evictions laws during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Utah Legal Services Strategic Planning Article

LSC's Training and Technical Assistance team is excited to release the first Model Practices and Innovations article on strategic planning, featuring Utah Legal Services. ULS provided insight into the development of its staff leveling plan and key recommendations and lessons learned for LSC grantees seeking to develop strategic plans.

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Financial Guide Training Webinar

The LSC Financial Guide is designed to assist recipients and subrecipients with fiscal responsibilities in the stewardship of grant funds provided by LSC. Both LSC management and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) will refer to this Guide as part of oversight. Please watch this recording of the LSC Financial Guide Training Webinar to get an overview of LSC's Financial Guide.

Legal Aid Technology Resources

LSC's Office of Training and Technical Assistance demonstrates LSC's numerous technology resources for civil legal aid grantees. The video also showcases technology resources from the LSC-funded Legal Services National Technical Assistance Program (LSNTAP).

ITC Technology Resources Demo
LSC's Office of Training and Technical Assistance demonstrates LSC's numerous technology resources for civil legal aid grantees. The video also showcases the LSC-funded Legal Services National Technical Assistance Program (LSNTAP) technology resources.

Learn More about Model Practices and Innovations

  • Plan Strategically
  • Provide Legal Services
  • Management
  • Technology
  • MPI Resource Archive

Strategic planning is especially critical in times of limited resources when the demand for service continues to rise. Strategic planning starts with an assessment of the most pressing legal needs and covers internal management, organization mission growth, and relations with your local community.

Learn how to: 

  • Conduct needs assessments and set priorities

  • Develop and implement strategic plans

  • Evaluate your organization's effectiveness and make adjustments

Legal aid organizations should treat those seeking assistance and clients accepted for services with dignity and compassion. Effective representation begins with a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Everyone at your legal aid organization should continually strive to maximize the effectiveness of legal services and achieve meaningful and lasting results on behalf of clients.

Learn how to:

  • Provide client access and conduct intake
  • Engage diverse populations
  • Provide language access
  • Represent clients effectively
  • Manage and supervise legal work
  • Engage volunteers
  • Assist unrepresented people in your community

A well-run legal aid organization is governed by a committed and involved board of directors that exercises independent judgment in carrying out its fiduciary responsibility to the organization. Key leadership, starting with the executive director, sets the tone for excellence by establishing a shared vision and mission and managing efficiently and effectively so that resources are preserved and allocated to achieve the greatest impact in the community.

Learn how to:

  • Achieve effective board governance
  • Lead effectively
  • Manage and administer the organization
  • Use technology
  • Establish responsible financial management
  • Communicate effectively internally and externally
  • Continue to grow resources

The use of technology in legal aid programs is constantly evolving in ways that increase efficiency and enhance service delivery for LSC grantees. The Best Practices Corner’s technology resources are designed to help grantees understand the current state of technology in legal aid offices, plan for future developments, and review successful projects and systems.

Visit this webpage to access resources shared by LSC grantees on topics such as needs assessments, strategic plans, technology solutions, and more.

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Model Practices and Innovations Newsletter

The Model Practices and Innovations Quarterly Newsletter will provide subscribers with articles on grantee model practices on specific subjects, relevant LSC resources, and news stories highlighting grantee activities. The first edition of the relaunched newsletter will be released in June 2022. Click below to subscribe to the newsletter!

MPI FAQs

  • What happened to the old Best Practices Corner?
  • Where can I find more training resources?
  • How can I submit an idea for an MPI post?

LSC overhauled its Best Practices Corner in 2020 to transform it into a more useful, accessible, and attractive resource for busy legal aid lawyers. Model Practices & Innovations (MPI) aims to collect and share well-researched projects and policies as part of LSC’s mission to help grantee provide high-quality legal assistance to low-income people.

Visit the LSC Training Page to browse comprehensive Training and Technical Assistance practices, tools, and resources. These resources include modules, presentation slides, sample policies, and more.

Reach out to LSC with any MPI questions or ideas!

Contact MPI

Ask us questions and submit suggestions for new model practices and innovations.

Training & Technical Assistance Team
The Office of Program Performance

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