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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors. Intake to Attorney. Recent History. In 2009, LHMS served 7,187 clients with 11, 241 legal matters Demand has risen every year since 2000 Approximately 20% of the calls to the hotline do not become clients Ineligible for services
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Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors Intake to Attorney
Recent History • In 2009, LHMS served 7,187 clients with 11, 241 legal matters • Demand has risen every year since 2000 • Approximately 20% of the calls to the hotline do not become clients • Ineligible for services • Looking for information on other services • The call of last resort • Forgetful callers
Operational Process • Developed Shared Database • All hotline staff keep open all day • Has list of available appointments • Intake can copy & paste information on case from case management system into appointment record • Attorney immediately sees it • Has process for sending messages to everyone built in
Operational Process • Appointment Schedule • 3 hour shifts (9-12 and 1-4) • 4 appointments specifically assigned to each shift • 2 “additional appointments” scheduled to be shared for each shift • Use Fridays to catch up on any overflow of calls (intake closed on Fridays) • Don’t schedule more than 48 hours out
Operational Process • Intake Staffing • Use various staffing sources to keep costs to a minimum • Work-study • Title V • Volunteer • Michigan Work First program • Staff does intake for all ELM programs, so fixed costs are shared • Requires very structured process and resources, as well as thorough and continuous training • Requires constant quality control and supervision
Benefits • Easier to handle fluctuating call volume • Attorneys focus only on assisting the clients • Effective screening for persons we are unable to help • Able to control attorney costs when call volume is down • Able to handle call volume when someone is sick or on vacation • Clients don’t have to navigate a phone tree and speak to a person very quickly • Intake staff can assist with other administrative functions
Challenges • Staffing turnover and costs • Making sure we don’t schedule more than 48 hours out • Staffing for peak call volume days (Monday and Tuesday) • Making sure intake staff don’t get burned out from answering phone all day
Other Models We Tested • Intake opened cases and attorneys just went down the list calling back • Have a set number of slots each shift without assigning any attorney • Only making appointments after there were no free attorneys to transfer the calls to
Variables in our Current Model We Have Tested • Number of appointments per shift • Length of shift • What we say to clients • Amount of information collected through intake interview • Process for handling emergencies