NLSLA and Partners Recognized With 2019 Impact Award from National Center for Medical Legal Partnerships

The National Center for Medical Legal Partnerships awarded the Whole Person Care LA Medical-Legal Community Partnership – a collaborative of legal services groups led by NLSLA, in partnership with the County Department of Health Services – with its 2019 Impact Award for “its groundbreaking vision in creating unified access to legal services for vulnerable Medi-Cal beneficiaries in LA County.”

The project, led by NLSLA, includes the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Bet Tzedek Legal Services and Mental Health Advocacy Services, brings critical legal advocacy to Medi-Cal recipients experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and other vulnerabilities that impact their health. After a successful first year, it is now a permanent part of the County health services delivery system.

The National Center commended “the collaborative spirit across all partners,” and said the project “is transforming the health, public health and legal landscapes in LA County and offers critical lessons for other cities, counties, regions, and states to consider.”

“LA County and its legal partners have set a powerful new standard of how to fund, staff, measure, and sustain legal services within a health care initiative.”