Introduction of the Medical-Legal Community Partnership Model

In 2008, NLSLA partnered with St. John’s Well Child & Family Center to open the first Medical-Legal Community Partnership (MLSP) in South Los Angeles, where poverty, substandard housing, unemployment, and an alarming lack of access to care have led to astoundingly high rates of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. NLSLA attorneys work with St. John’s clinic staff to address health disparities, helping people fight slum housing conditions and ensuring access to critical benefits. In 2018, the MLCP model became a permanent part of the Los Angeles County health delivery system through a partnership – lead by NLSLA – with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and Mental Health Advocacy Services, all of whom work with staff from the County’s Whole Person Care program to provide assistance to the most vulnerable Medi-Cal recipients in Los Angeles.