Chicago Family Advocacy Program: A Medical Legal Partnership for Children

1. Chicago Family Advocacy Program: A Medical Legal Partnership for Children University of Chicago Thursday, April 20, 2006 Julie Justicz Health & Disability Advocates jjusticz@hdadvocates.org 708/567-9471; 312/223-9600

2. NEW PROGRAM, May 2006: Chicago Family Advocacy Program • Medical and legal collaboration to assist families of infants and children with special health care needs; builds on successes of pilot program: Project Access; expands patient base and range of services • Start Date: May 2006 • Partners: • Health & Disability Advocates • Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago • University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital/Center for Health Families Clinic • McDermott Will & Emery

3. CHICAGO FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM • SITE: University of Chicago’s Center for Healthy Families – Wednesday Clinic Hours 9 am – 3:30 pm • PATIENTS: Medically high-risk infants and children, birth to age 5 years, who seek follow-up care at clinic • SERVICES: On-site legal help for families: LAFMC brings array of legal resources

4. Who are CFAP Patients and Families?- Housing & Neighborhood Context • 63% have annual household incomes less than $10,000 • 57% are living without their babies’ father • 54% live in one of the poorest communities in Chicago 70% expect that they need help finding housing now that they have a new baby

5. Characteristics of NICU Infants • Highest prevalence among hospital-based pediatric settings of • uninsured • public assistance • low maternal education • teen mothers • parental stress (exacerbated by infant’s illness and lengthy hospitalization)

6. High-Risk Infants: Special concerns after NICU discharge • High risk of mortality and morbidity • Home care routines may be complex and demanding • Special vulnerability of infant to “minor” lapses in care, follow-up appointments • Greatest vulnerability in first few months after discharge • Increased # of follow-up appts post hospital d/c

7. CFAP OPPORTUNITIES: Legal Help for Families • Lawyers meet families during medical clinic hours, assess cases, provide brief advice, referrals, counseling, or legal representation • Lawyers take referrals from hospital social workers, medical providers and provide assistance to families • Lawyers provide training, back-up and support to social workers and medical providers, when needed • Lawyers conduct individual representation and administrative advocacy on range of civil issues

8. Types of Legal Services Provided • CFAP will provide full range of civil legal services including: Public Benefits – SSI, TANF and other benefit programs, Medicaid, Insurance, Housing/Landlord-Tenant, Consumer, Unemployment Insurance, Utilities, Domestic Violence, Early Intervention, Special Education, and other issues.

9. Case Example • Twenty-year old single mother quit her full-time secretarial job to care for newborn infant with special medical needs. She was denied unemployment insurance because she “voluntarily quit.” Receives eviction papers because she did not pay rent. Child may be eligible for SSI, but mother is not sure if she applied.

10. Case Example: Legal Response • Assess Unemployment Regs: Determine if she qualifies for exception to voluntary quit rule; • Review eviction papers; examine defenses to eviction, 5 day notice, defenses; represent in court, negotiate with landlord; help obtain emergency funds • Advocate with Social Security administration to expedite SSI benefits; if denied, appeal case and represent at hearing

11. How to Make a Referral to CFAP • Social Work assesses case • Referring source or social worker complete referral form • When referral and SW contact are made, contact Dr. Nimmagadda • Dr. Nimmagadda’s pager is 4040 • Email contact: snimmaga@peds.bsd.uchicago.edu