When CareSource, one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans, set out to help address social determinants of health (SDOH), the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation was a natural partner. As the state’s access to justice entity, the Foundation understands that civil legal services are particularly effective in improving SDOH, as non-medical factors affect [...]
Since the Supreme Court of Ohio declared the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation the official access to justice entity of Ohio in 2019, the Foundation has been busy. Through the Foundation’s continued funding and support of Ohio’s legal aid organizations, its expanded focus on developing and funding access to justice initiatives like Ohio Legal Help [...]
If there’s anyone who has earned retirement, it’s Henry County Family Court Judge Denise McColley. During her decades of experience as a magistrate and then as a judge, Judge McColley has worked tirelessly to enhance the legal system through programs and services for Ohioans. For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation [...]
Katie Kersh has years of experience working with the immigrant community in Dayton as an attorney with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE). When she became project director of a new community lawyering initiative at ABLE in 2019, it was the perfect opportunity to marry her legal experience with a new approach to building social [...]
When it comes to accessing legal information and resources, language should never be a barrier. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that roughly 24.8% of Ohio’s Spanish-speaking households — approximately 62,000 people — live below 100% of the federal poverty level. Ohio Legal Help, a Foundation grantee that leverages technology and innovation to improve justice and [...]
When Lilly Cavanaugh accepted the invitation to join the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, she was already familiar with the Foundation’s work. As Executive Director of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, Cavanaugh understood the value of access to civil legal services, particularly for new Americans, and the role the [...]
Jill Stewart,* a proud member of the National Guard and a foster mom, struggled to find steady employment during the pandemic, fell behind on her rent, and faced an eviction. Like thousands of low-income Ohioans, Ms. Stewart contacted her local legal aid for help. Legal aid helped Ms. Stewart access Ohio's rental assistance program so [...]
The Foundation is excited to welcome Ellie Preston, our new Executive Assistant! Ellie is a native of Columbus, Ohio. Ellie is an experienced non-profit administrator who previously worked at Bridgeway Academy, a nonprofit education center serving children with autism and developmental disabilities. Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? I am a big fan [...]
In late July, the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation convened a new, standing committee, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee is composed of a handful of Foundation board members and other leaders from around the state who represent organizations ranging from the private bar to Ohio’s Black Judges Association to the Ohio Commission [...]
Many people spend a lifetime searching for a job that complements their strengths, offers professional development and support, and contributes to the greater good. Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Justice for All Fellows check all boxes thanks to the Foundation’s innovative fellowship program. Since 1999, the Foundation has funded 88 Fellows to develop and execute [...]
