Iowa Legal Aid Health and Law Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Iowa Legal Aid Office will implement a Health and Law Project, a collaborative effort between Iowa Legal Aid and four community health agencies, to improve the lives of low-income and other vulnerable Iowans who have been victimized or have legal problems that impact their health. The Health and Law Project is multi-faceted approach to service delivery which includes direct legal assistance, legal education, and referral of cases to private attorneys participating in Iowa Legal Aid's Volunteer Lawyers Project or other human service agencies. Direct legal assistance includes interviewing clients, providing initial advice, consulting with other staff, preparing witnesses for hearings, conducting legal research, responding to calls, negotiating with opposing parties, and representing clients in administrative agency and court hearings. The Iowa Legal Aid Office will also provide Iowans with education sufficient to help them resolve legal problems on their own - when appropriate - or help them avoid victimization or legal problems in the future.

NCA/NCF