On September 23, Central California Legal Services, Inc. (CCLS) sent a letter to Fresno County offrcials urging them to direct the County Director of Public Health and county Chief Administrative Officer not to communicate the Board's decision to withdraw its Low Income Health Progtam (LIHP) application for funding to the State Department of Health Care Services. The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted on September 20, 2011 to withdraw Fresno County's application for $56 million for LIHP. Fresno is the only county in California to have taken such an action.
The letter states legal grounds for the objection to the Board action, requests that the Board reconsider its September 20 action and outlines steps which the Board should take in conjunction with its reconsideration of the issue. To read the entire article click HERE.
This year's recipients have truly demonstrated their commitment to increasing services in the communities served by Central California Legal Services, Inc. (CCLS). Among this year's Champions of Justice is a mother whose efforts resulted in securing needed educational services for her son and the CCLS staff attorney that represented her against a retaliatory school district. Also, to be recognized are two attorneys and a volunteer all who champion access to the courts for victims of domestic violence; a business woman working to remove financial barriers enabling young children to access healthcare services; and, a Superior Court judge that is strengthening alternative sentencing programs for youth involved with the Juvenile Delinquency Court. The organization's highest honor goes to a Merced attorney with over thirty years of service to CCLS and its clients.
CCLS celebrates its 45th Anniversary as they honor this year's recipients of the Ronald M. George Equal Justice Award and the Champions of Justice Awards. You are cordially invited to join in this festive celebration on Thursday evening, October 13th at The Grand on 10 located at 1401 Fulton Street, 10th Floor in downtown Fresno from 5pm - 8pm.
The 2011 Champions are:
Ronald M. George Equal Justice Award - Robert T. Haden, attorney
Judiciary Award - The Honorable David Gottlieb, Fresno Superior Court
Attorney Award - Irene Ramirez
Client Award - Maria Herrera
Volunteer Award - Beth Johnstone
Staff Award - Jith Meganathan, Attorney
Business Award - Janice Mulligan, Health Net of California
Special Project Award - Erica Gonzalez, Marjaree Mason Center
CCLS helps low-income families, individuals and communities confront the legal challenges of poverty. The staff and pro bono attorneys make the law work for the thousands who seek their help each year. As the recession lingers, more and more people are turning to CCLS for help. The need for financial support from the community has never been greater.
Please consider supporting this event through a sponsorship or advertising in this year's program booklet. Table(s) of eight (8) and individual tickets may also be purchased. Please feel free to contact Ms. Luisa Medina, CCLS Development Director, at (559) 570-1242 or by e-mail at: luisa@centralcallegal.org.
On July 13 more than 300 attorneys, judges, law students and business and community leaders were on hand when California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye presented CCLS Board Member Ana de Alba with an award for her tireless work to promote pro-bono. Ana's acceptance comments brought tears to the eyes of many as she talked about her experiences and why she is so passionate about pro-bono. An associate at the law firm of Lang, Richert & Patch, Ana has been a driving force behind the Central Valley Pro Bono Challenge designed to have all central California attorneys provide pro-bono services for low-income residents of the valley.
The award was from OneJustice (formerly Public Interest Clearinghouse) and presented at the organization's annual Opening Doors to Justice reception in San Francisco. OneJustice provides support to legal services organizations and law students engaged in pro-bono. Its mission is to increase access to legal help for underserved Californians by building infrastructure and partnerships in the legal community.
CCLS congratulates Ana on this well deserved recognition. We thank OneJustice for honoring her and brining a focus to the needs of central California. We thank Lang, Richert & Patch for its leadership in valley pro-bono efforts.
Central California Legal Services is pleased to announce that effective July 5, 2011 Jesse Avila is the CCLS Litigation and Advocacy Director. A 1977 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, Jesse most recently worked as the Chancellor, Communications Director and In-house Legal Advisor to the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. Prior to working with the Diocese he worked for 20 years at the City Attorney's Office, City of Fresno. Jesse also served as a Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard from 1985 until 2004 and has taught Local Government Law, Land Use and Zoning, Non-Profit Corporations Law and Contract Law at San Joaquin College of Law since 1992.
Jesse worked with Fresno County Legal Services (the predecessor agency to CCLS) as a paralegal in the 1970s. During that time he worked on immigration cases. "We are glad to welcome Jesse back to the legal services community and to CCLS. He brings with him a great deal of knowledge and experience that will enable CCLS to better serve our client community," states CCLS Executive Director Chris Schneider.
Open House Reception
Central California Legal Services, Inc. (CCLS) will host an "Open House Reception" on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 4:30 - 6:30pm at our new offices. The offices are located at 2115 Kern Street, Suite 1, Fresno, CA (northeast corner of Kern Street and Van Ness Avenue.)
You are invited to stop by and meet the staff. Refreshments will be served. This is a free event.
Please RSVP no later than Monday, June 20, 2011. You can register for this event by clicking on the green emblem (on the right hand side column of the web page) or by email to Ms. Luisa Medina at luisa@centralcallegal.org or (559) 570-1242.
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