Topics for today’s discussion Challenges of self help services in rural communities, Role of rural law libraries, Examples of rural self help centers, Input on the recommendations of the Rural Task Force.

IMPROVING CIVIL JUSTICE IN RURAL CALIFORNIA: A Report of the California Commission on Access to Justice September 2010

Overview of Key Challenges Facing Rural Californians Distance Lack of resources ◦ Few law firms and corporations ◦ Few law schools ◦ Limited access to foundation funding Limited access to technology

Background Information: Definition of urban, rural, frontier. Why MSSA Guidelines Recommended. Rural California would be the 4 th largest state. More than 90% of California counties have rural or frontier areas.

Basic Principle: Pursue Geographic Equality (1 st recommendation) All Californians should have access to justice. Legal assistance available should not depend on where one resides. Greater percentage of rural people are in need.

"Rural America lags behind the rest of the nation in nearly every measure of success - housing, employment, pay, educational opportunity and access to healthcare." Dee Davis, President, The Center for Rural Strategies

IN FACT: 18% rural vs16% urban are impoverished. 22% of rural children compared to 19% of urban children are impoverished. Larger percentage are elderly (20% rural vs. 15% urban). Larger percentage are living with disabilities (20% rural vs 17% urban).

Expand Funding for Rural Legal Services: (2 nd Recommendation) There are substantial differences in legal services funding for urban and rural counties. Urban (7 counties) average of $44.83 per poor person. Mixed (23 counties) average of $26.43 per poor person. Rural (28 counties) average of $18.56 per poor person.

Develop Minimum Access Guidelines (3 rd recommendation) Develop a threshold funding level. Plan implementation through available and expanded resources. Access to Justice Commission should take the lead, working with all stakeholders. Be mindful of potential impact on urban programs.

Establish Statewide “Friends of Rural Legal Aid” Committee (4 th recommendation) Goal is to increase both funding and pro bono resources. Legal aid programs should take the lead to develop this Committee – working with the Access to Justice Commission and: key rural leaders, representatives of urban law firms, and corporate counsel and other community leaders from urban areas.

Introduction to California County Law Libraries Established in 1891; Business & Professions Code ; Provide free access to print and electronic legal resources Open to all county residents; Available in most California counties; Library staff prohibited from giving legal advice.

Today’s County Law Libraries Serving more self-represented litigants than attorneys. Reflecting change in patron types. Only place to access legal information in rural counties. Connected to county legal community.

Example of El Dorado County 200,000 residents and 338 attorneys, Primarily rural, 2 locations– main branch and kiosk in public library 3 weekly legal aid workshops, 300 in-person legal reference questions each month, and 100 – 200 & phone

Promising Practices in Rural Law Libraries Yolo County Placer County Butte County Larger Counties

Why Work with Librarians? Accustomed to funding shortages and low- cost creative solutions. Know best resources, Create resources to fill gaps, Skilled at building community partnerships. Skilled at using technology. Collaborative, passionate, and focused on needs of others. Don’t forget public libraries as partners.

Rural Court Clinics -Variations On site - off site Access to court files Access to clerks and filing Security

Resources available Resources available Law libraries have legal resources. Social Service agency resources: Staffing for appointments DMV FRC in Truckee Legal services connection.

Pro Bono Support (5 th Recommendation) lawyers and bar associations in rural areas should expand pro bono that they are already doing, working with legal aid programs; if there is a conflict, they can:  Give time and money to rural legal services.  Volunteer at self-help clinics. Urban support is also crucial – good examples already exist involving:  Large firms,  PIC and law schools (Justice Bus & research).

Develop Innovative Ways to Use Technology to Bridge the Urban/ Rural Divide (6 th Recommendation) Effective use of technology can help address many rural barriers: online resources for pro pers; video-conferencing to connect rural clients lawyers: Example: SHARP is Tri-County collaboration - one attorney addresses self- represented litigants at court sites in Butte, Glenn and Tehama Counties. e-filing – EZLegalFile in most counties.

Convene Local Rural Access Task Forces to Improve All Components of Delivery of Rural Legal Services. (7 th Recommendation) Local Task Force can be launched with a public forum to get input on priority needs Task forces might include representatives from: legal aid providers and local bar associations; local courts and self-help centers; county law libraries; and other community organizations who also assist underserved clients.

Task forces can play a key ongoing coordination role to : evaluate and begin addressing the priorities unique to each community; identify gaps and target services for isolated, underserved groups; expand the availability of legal aid and self-help services locally; work to improve language access; develop methods to effectively collaborate with urban partners; and attract funding because of collaboration.

Panelists’ Contact Information: Shari Duncan Kathy Eppright Vanessa Uribe Herb Whitaker Report available at or call to have a report mailed to you.