1. The Holistic Practice of Law
By Monica Bogucki, BSW, JD
COPYRIGHT MONICA BOGUCKI 2018

2. What is the Holistic Practice of Law?
Recognition that a client may have multiple legal issues and the need for other interdisciplinary resources.

3. What is the Holistic Practice of Law?
Spotting multiple issues for clients
Treating clients with great respect
Short-term problem solving
Long-term problem solving
Multi-disciplinary referrals
Being an extraordinary listener

4. Spotting multiple issues
Spotting legal issues
Spotting social service issues
Spotting basic living needs issues

5. Crisis Oriented Thinking
Clients living in poverty are often in crisis oriented thinking and problem solving
It is important to problem solve the emergencies and short term problems, but crucial to also problem solve long term problems

6. Multi-disciplinary referrals
Referrals to social service agencies Referrals to doctors, psychologists, social workers Referrals to emergency shelters; transitional housing, subsidized housing Referrals for evaluations, physical, mental health or chemical dependency

7. Developing a multidisciplinary professional network
Develop professional relationships with doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, ……
Become knowledgeable about social service referrals
Emergency shelters for families
Emergency shelters for individuals
Specialized housing options………

8. Hypotheticals
Brian, a 55 year old male with organic cognitive brain injury due to a car accident, applied for Social Security Disability but was recently denied. He can no longer afford his current living arrangement. He lives on general assistance of $ per month, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Short Term Housing-homeless shelter or transitional housing.
Subsidized housing
Possibly a form of assisted or supportive living
Attorney for RSDI appeal
Free meal sites
Food shelves
Energy assistance
Mental health services
Medical care
Transportation-may need special transportation
Rep payee for RSDI
Authorized rep for government benefits
Guardianship/conservatorship

9. Mary
Mary is 16 years old. She is staying with a friend because she said that she does not feel safe at home. Her step-father has physically assaulted her mother and her. She does not want to live at home anymore. She is a junior in high school and will graduate from high school next year.
Emergency shelter-the Bridge, Ain Dah Yung
Attorney who can advise her regarding; OFP, CHIPS, Emancipation, DOPA
Apply for subsidized youth housing, The Nicollet, Archdale
Free meal sites
Free school breakfast and lunch
Mental health counseling specializing in domestic violence
Medical care
Transportation
Government benefits-emergency SNAP,
Medical Assistance
General Assistance
Are there relatives or other safe adults that she can live with?

10. Sara
Sara is 25 years old and has two children, Amy (3 years old) and Tom (1 year old). Sara is not married to Amy and Tom’s father, Dave They have been living together. Dave has been abusive to Sara. Sara received an eviction notice from her landlord due to the numerous police calls.

11. Trauma-Informed Care
Recognition that some of the clients that we serve have experienced physical, emotional or other trauma that has significantly impacted their lives. It may have happened when they were a child or as an adult or both.
Recognition that this can cause long-term effects.
Clients come to us wounded and broken

12. Trauma Informed Care How do we communicate with clients?
We do not want to trigger past trauma
Make sure that our legal advice is heard

13. Working with Other Professionals
Provide a thorough written summary
If you are requesting an opinion from them, provide them with the necessary forms, format and legal criteria
General Assistance
Supplemental Security Income
MFIP
Medical Assistance