MLPB

It’s well-settled that a person’s social, economic, and environmental context matters for health. The conditions where people live, work, learn, and play impact a wide health, well-being, and dignity in a range of ways.

But as a culture, we tend to talk more about risks, gaps and problems than we do about existing – or potential – strengths and solutions, such as civil rights protections. This dynamic is reflected in the “screen and refer” mechanics that animate current health policy and are embodied in social need screening pilots around the country. Yet there is much that care teams – often the first responders to people’s social, economic and environmental goals — can do to inform and empower the people they serve. Legal information and rights education must become part of the care toolbox.

MLPB is a law and policy ‘extender’ for teams and organizations who recognize that they will be more effective if they expand their toolbox to include a new kind of proficiency – familiarity with people’s basic legal rights, risks, and remedies. Through training, consultation, and technical assistance, we are honored to support communities of care who understand the intrinsic connection between health and justice. We also are privileged to contribute, in collaboration with many valued colleagues, to the evidence base for preventive power of legal partnering and spread the word accordingly!