Issue 11 · Fall 2010
“Hartford HELP” Pro Bono Legal Assistance to the Homeless
S
ometimes, simple legal assistance can be the “Hartford HELP” Launched of attorneys from a variety of firms also volunteered.
key to getting someone off the streets and into October, 2009 For its part, Connecticut Appleseed leads the
a more secure and productive life. U.S. District For nine consecutive months, Hartford HELP recruitment of lawyers and law students, oversees
Judge Jay Zainey organized the first Homeless offered free weekly legal clinics that alternated provision of a volunteer training manual and handles
Experience Legal Protection (“HELP”) program in between Mercy Housing at 118 Main St. and the ongoing administrative responsibilities for the
2004 in New Orleans and has since expanded it to 15 House of Bread at 27 Chestnut St. Between one and program. Those responsibilities include motivating,
other cities. Prompted by an early 2009 visit from participating volunteer attorneys, as well as
three attorneys staffed each clinic, and were assisted
Judge Zainey, Connecticut Appleseed began coordinating with shelter management.
by two students from the UCONN Law School.
developing a HELP program for Hartford. During the initial 9 months, 33 clinics assisted more
than 130 homeless individuals - an average of 4
Moving Forward: September,
Volunteer attorneys can often help homeless individuals each week. Positive “word of mouth”
2010 Into 2011
individuals with their need for a birth certificate or Law firms and bar associations have already
that HELP attorneys were able to assist with real
drivers license, with applying for social security or committed to staffing our weekly clinics from
problems built gradually at the shelters,
appealing the denial of benefits, with obtaining lost September through December, assisted as usual by
as those seeking legal aid steadily increased.
of missing identification, or with clearing up minor enthusiastic students from UCONN Law School.
criminal matters that are preventing the individual And, on November 4, the Hartford HELP team will
Thanks to Our Volunteers
from getting housing or applying for a job. Such hold a recruitment meeting at UCONN for 2011
To date, the primary sources of our volunteers
legal issues can often be resolved in a few hours, or volunteers. For more information, call Bob Kettle at
included: Day Pitney LLP; Brown Rudnick; Murtha
by making telephone calls. Attorneys assist homeless 203 210-5356.
Cullina LLP; Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge; the
individuals on a single consultation, advice only and/ George W. Crawford and Connecticut Hispanic bar
or limited representation basis, and occasionally associations; and the Young Lawyers Section of the
provide referrals when more intensive legal work is Connecticut Bar Association. An additional handful
needed.
Popular Primers on Education Mission Statement
Law for Parents Our Mission is to develop solutions for
P
the causes, rather than the symptoms,
arents whose children are having problems schools and through parent organizations like
with the school system many times feel Danbury Children First. of our state's social problems. We will
isolated, frustrated and unsure about their
deploy volunteer lawyers and other
legal rights. Lacking familiarity with the legal/ “Ask a Lawyer” Forums
bureaucratic process, parents are often confused professionals to achieve systemic
about how they can work with a school to ensure Scheduled Across the State changes through legal and legislative
that their child gets the resources and support that Since navigating the school system can be daunting
they need. at times, the project also offers “Ask a Lawyer” advocacy, negotiation, education and
forums where parents can learn to work more
other initiatives.
Our Parents’ Access to Education Law Information effectively with a school on their child’s behalf. In
project responded by developing and distributing five addition to giving parents more information on their
short, clearly-written and bilingual informational legal rights, these forums really emphasize ways for
guides on issues in education law that are also posted parents to work with – rather than against - their
online at www.ctappleseed.org. To date, Appleseed school district.
has distributed more than 4,500 copies of these Bob Kettle
guides to statewide and regional offices of Forums on the “The Nuts and Bolts of How Your Executive Director
Connecticut’s Parent Leadership Training Institute, at School is Funded” and “Bullying and Your Rights phone 203 210-5356
more than 15 of the Family Resource Centers have already been held in Waterbury, web www.ctappleseed.org
located statewide in local Continued on Page 4
Our Board of Another Round of Senior Center
Directors Workshops Underway on Elder Law
Martin L. Budd, Chair
Chair Emeritus - Hartford
Seminary
B orn 5 years ago in a symposium at Quinnipiac
University’s School of Law, Connecticut
Appleseed’s Elder Law project has to date
helped more than 1,300 seniors of modest means to
better understand their legal rights and entitlements
Continuing our Workshops:
Beginning Round III in 2011
Enabled most recently by a grant from the
and to assess their legal needs. After the experts Community Foundation of Greater New Haven’s
Steven C. Belkin convened that day gave free seminars related to Women & Girls Fund, Appleseed is in the process of
Pitney Bowes Inc. Advance Directives, Wills and Trusts, Long-term scheduling a late 2010 round of workshops in that
Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs, Housing foundation’s 20-town service area. And a grant for
Michael C. D'Agostino and Consumer Fraud, Appleseed distilled the which we have applied to the Connecticut
Bingham McCutchen LLP information presented into an 100-page book which Community Foundation will hopefully fund yet
has now been distributed to almost 40 senior centers another round of workshops during early 2011 in the
across the state. 21 towns that it services in the Waterbury region.
Diana M. Kleefeld
Northeast Utilities
Directing Volunteered Legal Help
Charles H. Klippel Toward Seniors
Aetna Inc. Low and moderate-income seniors often lack
affordable access to reliable and objective
Priya S. Morganstern information regarding legal options, choices available
Pro Bono Partnership, Inc. to them, and choices they need to at least consider
making. While routinely barraged by slanted
Ndidi N. Moses information and high-pressure sales pitches for estate
Assistant United States Attorney planning tools, “will kits” and a myriad of investment
and insurance products, seniors face complex,
Honorable Jon Newman confusing and vitally important legal and financial
U.S. Court of Appeals Second Circuit issues.
Dr. Michael M. Perl Targeting seniors who lack the resources to hire their
Associates in Periodontics, P.C. own attorneys and financial planners, Appleseed’s
elder law workshops offer a relaxed format that
David A. Reif encourages questions and dialogue with pro bono
McCarter & English, LLP lawyers. In offering seniors free, high-quality legal
assistance on a broad menu of elder law topics,
Appleseed carefully tailors the workshop topics to
Howard G. Rifkin
requests from local senior center staff. Increasingly,
Deputy Treasurer, State of Connecticut
senior centers have requested a series of two or three
workshops so that they can offer information on
Honorable Mary E. Sommer more than one topic.
CT Superior Court Judge
Corey Stone
Verdigris Ventures
Save the Date
Robert M. Taylor III
Day Pitney LLP Wednesday Evening, November 3rd
Peter L. Thoren 6th Annual CT Appleseed Hartford Event
Executive Vice President The Hartford Club – 46 Prospect Street – 5:30 pm
Access Industries, Inc.
Honoring Webster Bank and Bingham McCutchen LLP
Marilyn T. West Accepting on behalf of Webster Bank: John Ciulla
The Travelers Companies Executive Vice President for Middle Market Banking and Chairman
Arthur H. White of Webster Bank’s Regional Presidents Council
Yankelovich Group Call Bob Kettle, Executive Director, at 203 210-5356 with questions.
Fall 2010 Progress Report 2 Connecticut Appleseed
Expanding Access to Financial Services
A
n estimated 19 percent of Connecticut Bank on Connecticut Combines Connecticut Appleseed, CAHS and the State
households either have no checking or Financial Education and Asset- Treasurer’s Office collaborate to lead the
savings account, or use fringe financial Building workgroups, guide the process and keep progress
services like check cashers and payday lenders on schedule.
rather than their own dormant accounts. These Intended to help people keep more of what they
residents need help avoiding predatory and other earn and start them on a pathway to improved Piloting Bank on Connecticut at
high-cost financial services so that they can save, financial success and self-sufficiency, Bank on Selected Retail Branches
build the credit histories needed to access credit, Connecticut is the logical extension of Over the summer the Steering Committee agreed
and accumulate assets. Connecticut Appleseed’s 2008-2009 “Expanding to a modest beginning – a pilot project in targeted
Financial Access for Immigrants” project. It also areas of cities with large unbanked populations.
That is why Connecticut Appleseed stepped in to integrates financial education activities statewide In this pilot, banks or credit unions in 8-12 key
spearhead a collaboration of financial that are managed by the Connecticut Association cities would offer incentives in conjunction with
institutions, community partners, and state and of Human Services (CAHS) through the outreach and financial education targeted at
federal banking regulators to connect unbanked Connecticut Money School (www.ctmoney.org). unbanked and underbanked populations.
and underbanked state residents with mainstream Bank on Connecticut’s success will be measured by
financial services – including affordable the longevity and account balance growth of To enhance the pilot’s outreach and education
checking, savings, and credit opportunities. In newly-established accounts and whether it can components, each of the 8-10 participating
response to Connecticut Appleseed’s invitation, prompt the unbanked and underbanked to financial institutions will pair with a local
Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier establish long-term banking relationships. community-based organization. These nonprofit
keynoted an April 8, 2010 meeting to help launch partners will help community residents overcome
an initiative called Bank on Connecticut. The 68 Attendees at the April meeting named a any wariness of mainstream banks and credit
attendees represented the vast majority of the Steering Committee and four workgroups whose unions, as well engage them in financial education
state’s financial institutions. efforts will culminate in a formal Bank on classes and programs offered either through the
Connecticut launch in early 2011. Connecticut Money School or the partnering
financial institution.
Connecticut Appleseed Thanks our 2009 Supporters . . .
Connecticut Appleseed is supported by regional and local foundations, corporations, law firms and individuals. The following donors and grantors
gave $100 or more in 2009:
Aetna Drinker Biddle & Reath Nellie Mae Foundation Robert M. Taylor III
Aviva Budd Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Honorable Jon Newman Travelers Foundation
Bingham McCutchen LLP Fairfield County Bar Association Northeast Utilities Stanley Twardy
Blavatnik Family Foundation Stanley A. Fisher Foundation Dr. Michael Perl United Way of Coastal Fairfield
James Bowers Gerald Garfield Pitney Bowes County
Brown Rudnick Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Proskauer Rose Webster Bank
Martin L. Budd Arnold Greenberg David A. Reif Marilyn West
Cacace, Tusch & Santagata Hartford Courant Foundation Reid & Riege Foundation Robert Yass
Carmody & Torrance LLP Harold Horwich Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi
Arnold Chase Foundation Hunton & Williams Bradley Saxton
Cheryl Chase Foundation KPMG Seyfarth Shaw
Rhoda and David Chase Foundation McCarter & English, LLP Shipman & Goodwin
Citi Foundation Elizabeth A. Maldonado John A. Shutkin
Adam P. Cohen Ernest Mattei Robert Siegel
Connecticut State Dental Joel Mellis Richard A. Silver
Association Melville Charitable Trust Silver Golub & Teitell
Michael C. D’Agostino Priya Morganstern and Tom Dorsey Honorable Mary E. Sommer
Day Pitney LLP Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Allan Taylor
Connecticut Appleseed 3 Fall 2010 Progress Report
Connecticut Appleseed
25 Dudley Road
Wilton, CT 06897
www.ctappleseed.org
A PART OF THE APPLESEED NETWORK
Appleseed, a non-partisan and non-profit
organization, is a network of public interest
law Centers working to identify and address
injustices in their communities. Appleseed
works to build a just society through
education, legal advocacy, community activism
and policy expertise, addressing root causes
and producing practical solutions. As one of
the nation's largest legal pro bono networks,
Appleseed Centers work both independently
and collectively, bringing their own experiences
to create local solutions that are nationally
relevant. We connect the top private practice
lawyers, corporate counsel, law schools, civic
leaders, and other professionals to tackle
problems locally, at their root cause.
Systemic Change: Improving Access to Dental Care:
B
y impressing the importance of a pro incremental $60 million per year in dental care to of 2,049 patients with more than 300 volunteer
bono culture on Connecticut State Dental more than 130,000 children. dental personnel and an additional 1,300
Association (“CSDA”) members over the community volunteers.
past several years, Appleseed Board members – Launching and Funding the
most notably, Dr. Michael Perl and Peter Libassi - Connecticut Mission of Mercy
have vastly expanded the scope of volunteerism (“CTMOM”)
among the state’s dental professionals. While more Connecticut children have been
receiving dental care through HUSKY, serious Popular Primers
Motivating 700 More Dentists to need remains for broader access to oral health continued from page 1
Treat Medicaid Children care. Fortunately, Dr. Perl had begun collaborating
Since Connecticut did not increase dental Medicaid in 2007 with former CSDA President Dr. Bob Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury and New Haven
reimbursement rates from 1993 until 2008, dentists Schreibman to develop the first weekend-long - typically in collaboration with parent-leader-
were discouraged for years from participating in “CTMOM”. ship/support groups like Norwalk SEEKS and
Medicaid and accepting Medicaid patients. In Danbury Children First.
response, Connecticut Appleseed collaborated with With over 800 volunteers, the initial 2008
In August, we partnered with Connecticut
CSDA and other oral health advocacy CTMOM delivered approximately $500,000 of free Parent Power to offer a forum on School Disci-
organizations in a successful 2-year legislative oral health care and medications to more than pline using a webinar format that was accessible
effort that prompted the state to appropriate $20 1,200 underserved and uninsured Connecticut statewide. And most recently, in early October,
million to increase Medicaid reimbursement fees. residents. Dr. Perl himself led the fund-raising. we offered a forum on bullying at Stamford’s
These funds were specifically targeted at For an encore, Dr. Perl raised $200,000 for the annual “Stone Soup for the 21st Century”
motivating dentists to treat children under the 2009 CTMOM that provided free dental care to resource expo.
state’s HUSKY program. 1,781 patients and provided $881,760 in donated
care and medications.
And how it worked: at present there are
approximately 1,000 dentists actively treating In addition to leading the fund-raising for the 2010
HUSKY children - a gain of more than 700 CTMOM, Dr. Perl also secured Aetna’s
dentists over the last two years. CSDA estimates contribution of their Middletown office facility.
that these dentists are now providing roughly an Held last March, the 2010 CTMOM treated a total
Fall 2010 Progress Report 4 Connecticut Appleseed