Systemic Advocacy Spotlight!
Looking ahead: Accessing Early Childhood Special Education
In partnership with the Best Starts for Kids family navigators and the Harborview Medical Center (HMC) Pediatric Clinic, MLP worked to identify and address barriers to accessing Early Childhood Special Education for children between ages 3 to 5 who were identified as having a developmental delay. After identifying the barriers to accessing this program, particularly for those families who are not English speaking, the family navigators, pediatrician, and MLP advocates raised their concerns with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction who is working to streamline the program statewide to reduce these access barriers.
MLP Attorney Spotlight: Adam Chromy
Adam is the newest MLP attorney to join our team. He has been working on veterans’ issues with Northwest Justice Project since 2013. Adam also serves on the King County Public Defense Advisory Board, the entity responsible for reviewing the activities and plans of the of the Department and advising the King County Executive and County Council Members on matters of social justice and equity related to public defense.
In addition, Adam brings previous MLP experience to this new role. After completing Seattle University School of Law, Adam began his legal career working with Legal Aid of Arkansas coordinating all aspects of a new Medical-Legal Partnership. We are thrilled to have Adam as part of the WA Medical-Legal Partnership!
New Lunch and Learn Series helps healthcare staff respond to challenges from COVID-19
Issues adversely impacting under-resourced communities prior to the pandemic are impacting these families even more. Social workers and providers at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, and Harborview Medical Center requested timely, short, legal updates on issues arising and being exacerbated due to COVID-19. In response, MLP initiated a new educational offering called MLP Lunch and Learns.
MLP attorneys present information and answer follow up questions from attendees. These biweekly sessions are recorded for those who cannot attend “live” and a summary, COVID Resources Bulletin, is disseminated to attendees. Sessions have covered Housing and Eviction Moratoriums, Public Charge, Paid Leave and Unemployment, Education Rights, COVID Testing, and Court Procedures during COVID.
Mission Moment: Behavioral Support Hours in the Home
MLP has been working with several families who have kids with complex behavioral health issues. One family’s child needs behavioral supports during all waking hours. With school closed and special education services not being provided, the child is left with 7-8 hours a day with no support, which has led to visits to the Emergency Department. MLP attorneys advocated on behalf of this patient. As a result, WA’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) approved additional behavioral support hours at home to cover all waking hours.
Our Partners
MLP improves the health and well-being of vulnerable populations by identifying and addressing health-harming legal needs and removing barriers to better health. MLP is a collaboration between our legal partner, Northwest Justice Project (NJP), and the following medical and behavioral health providers:
