Connecticut Bar Foundation has commissioned two new reports that assess the state’s civil legal aid system and demonstrate the economic value of investing in legal services for low-income residents.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen hotline capacity and coordination
- Increase resources for service delivery
- Advance salary parity, retention, and mentorship
- Expand service models (community justice and social workers)
- Support systemic reform and policy advocacy
- Modernize technology and information management
- Leverage technology and CTLawHelp.org to expand outreach
- Address geographic gaps through regional innovation
- Build capacity to serve a winder range of civil legal problems
- Expand housing crisis response
- Strengthen pro bono engagement
Download Reports
Civil Legal Needs Assessment, by CTData Collaborative (survey by University of New Hampshire Survey Center)
- highlights the strengths of existing service providers
- identifies unmet needs
- offers recommendations to address system gaps
Economic Impact Report, by Downstream Strategies
- quantifies direct financial benefits people receive when they can solve their legal problems
- calculates that legal aid services provided approximately $10 million in direct financial benefits to clients in 2024
- shows that every dollar of public funding for legal aid generates approximately $2.90 in economic activity
