Innovative Outreach Strategies for Serving Non-English Speaking Litigants

This presentation covers outreach strategies by Nicolle Katrivanos, Supervising Attorney at the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, focusing on serving non-English speaking litigants. The strategies include expanding services within immigrant communities through various programs and collaborations. Examples from Anne Arundel County highlight successful efforts to reach Spanish-speaking populations, with notable increases in access to legal assistance.

• Outreach Strategies
• Non-English Speaking
• Legal Assistance
• Immigrant Communities
• Maryland Center

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1. Outreach Strategies & Serving Non-English Speaking Litigants Nicolle Katrivanos Supervising Attorney Maryland Center for Legal Assistance

2. MCLA and why these topics? MCLA s Presence in MD: Nine Help Centers - Annapolis, Baltimore City, Catonsville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown, Montgomery County, Salisbury, and Upper Marlboro Serve litigants in person, over the phone, chat, and video Last year served over 100,000 litigants Outreach Programs Importance of serving immigrant community

3. Outreach 101 Who are you reaching out to? What is your goal? When or how often? Why are these efforts important?

4. Outreach - Anne Arundel County Who: Multicultural Affairs Officer of the Anne Arundel Office of the County Executive What: Purpose was to expand our services within the Spanish speaking and immigrant community in Anne Arundel County When: Monthly calls with the Multicultural Affairs Officer Distribution of our flyers to their list serve (every 6 months) Live quarterly presentations on a Facebook group called "Se Fuerte Annapolis" (Be Strong Annapolis) Why: To strengthen our presence within the immigrant community and expand access to our services. Result: Presentation: 2,761 views Significant increase of Spanish speaking litigants accessing our Help Centers

5. Outreach - Anne Arundel County Who: Anne Arundel County Police Department- Hispanic Liaison Officer What: Purpose was to expand our services within the Spanish speaking community in Anne Arundel County When: Presented Live quarterly presentations at the Police Department s virtual community meetings Periodic distribution of our flyers, including expungement pamphlets Why: To strengthen our presence within the immigrant community and expand access to our services. Result: Virtual Meetings: over 4,000 views Significant increase of Spanish speakers accessing our Help Centers

6. Outreach - Anne Arundel County Who: Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) via the Office of School & Family Partnerships What: Purpose to expand services within the families of the AACPS, including but not limited to immigrant families. When: Rotating advertisements on their monthly newsletters and social media Yearly meetings with their International Family Outreach Program and their team of Bilingual Facilitators Yearly distribution of our Help Center flyers Why: To expand access to our services and reach a wider audience Result: Materials regularly shared with families of 126 ACCPS

7. Outreach - Montgomery County Who: Office of the Public Defender Montgomery County What: Purpose to disseminate information regarding our expungement services When: Twice a year send flyers/pamphlets regarding Help Center s expungement services Why: Increase access to free expungement services within members of the community Result: Weekly Referrals: All Not Guilty/Nolle Prosequi/Dismissed dispositions etc., criminal cases sent directly to Help Center after the hearings. Increase in expungement cases and litigants served in Montgomery County community.

8. Outreach - Montgomery County Who: Department of Housing and Community Affairs - Office of Landlord Tenant Affairs What: Purpose to inform DHCA of our services and create an alliance. When: Weekly meetings with their Community Partners (HIP, LEDC, Renter s Alliance, Homeless Persons Representation Project, CASA, MDLAB) Quarterly meetings to provide flyers and materials Why: Increase Help Center s presence in Montgomery County so that residents may access our services. Result: Weekly referrals from Community Partners Increased knowledge regarding LL/T resources in the community Liaison for other county entities/programs such as the Sherriff's Office and the DHHS Rental Relief Program Strategies on how to approach changing legislation

9. Outreach - Montgomery County Who: NBC 4/ Telemundo Network Television What: Purpose to obtain television coverage regarding the opening of our new office When: One-time stories featuring the opening of the Montgomery County DCHC and interviews with District Court Judge Del Pino, Montgomery County Supervising Attorney and two litigants sharing their experience. Why: Increase Help Center s presence in Montgomery County so that residents may access our services. Result: Inflow of litigants access our services after seeing our services on television Stronger relationship with Courthouse personnel and judges due to collaborate effort

10. Helpful Information Serving the Multi-Cultural Customer AOC educational webinar Maryland Court Help Center Outreach Kit Do not have to speak a foreign language to implement outreach programs within the immigrant community Please feel free to contact me at nkatrivanos@mdcla.org or at 301.852.4449.