LEGAL ACTION CENTER OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK INC

LAC - POLICYLAC'S POLICY INITIATIVES PROMOTE LAWS, REGULATIONS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMMING THAT INCREASE WORK, HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH CONVICTION RECORDS, WHO USE DRUGS AND/OR HAVE SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, AND PEOPLE WITH HIV OR AIDS. WE FOCUS ON 1) SHIFTING CRIMINAL LEGAL POLICY PRIORITIES FROM INCARCERATION AND PUNISHMENT TO HARM REDUCTION, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION; 2) ELIMINATING EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, HOUSING, INSURANCE, AND HEALTH CARE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST OUR CONSTITUENCIES; AND 3) DRAMATICALLY EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE USE, HIV/AIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH PREVENTION, HARM REDUCTION, TREATMENT, RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION, INCLUDING IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. INTEGRAL TO THESE PRIORITIES IS A FOCUS ON DISMANTLING THE HISTORIC AND PERSISTENT IMPACT OF SYSTEMIC RACISM THAT HAS FUELED MASS INCARCERATION AND DISPARATE COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS. WE PURSUE THESE GOALS AT LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. LAC'S POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE LAST QUARTER CENTURY INCLUDE: HELPING SECURE STRONG COVERAGE OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. ORCHESTRATING ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS THAT HELPED OVER TWO DOZEN STATES OPT OUT OF OR MODIFY THE FEDERAL LIFETIME BAN ON FOOD STAMPS AND CASH ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE CONVICTED OF DRUG FELONIES. PARTICIPATING IN ADVOCACY THAT RESTORED PELL GRANT ELIGIBILITY TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS. SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATING WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) TO ESTABLISH DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW STATES TO USE FEDERAL MEDICAID FUNDING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS LEAVING INCARCERATION AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR OLDER ADULTS ON PAROLE, PROBATION, OR LEAVING THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE. HELPING LEAD CAMPAIGNS IN NEW YORK THAT: 1) WON ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW REFORM, 2) CREATED AN OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM TO HELP NEW YORKERS NAVIGATE COVERAGE AND FIND TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, 3) FULLY DECRIMINALIZED SYRINGE POSSESSION, 4) CREATED AN AUTOMATIC CIVIL SEALING (CLEAN SLATE) PROCESS FOR ALL MISDEMEANOR AND MANY FELONY CONVICTIONS AFTER A WAITING PERIOD, AND 5) CREATED PERMANENT, SCALABLE FUNDING STREAMS FOR ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION AND RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS. CREATING GROUNDBREAKING LEGAL THEORIES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND ACCELERATE REFORMS TO: I) PROVIDE MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND II) DELIVER EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT TO PEOPLE WHO USE(D) DRUGS IN HOSPITALS, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, RECOVERY, HOUSING AND OTHER HEALTH CARE SETTINGS. HELPING NEW YORK STATE ESTABLISH GROUNDBREAKING MEDICAID ENROLLMENT POLICIES FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS AND PILOT INNOVATIVE CARE COORDINATION STRATEGIES FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS RETURNING TO THEIR COMMUNITIES FROM PRISONS AND JAILS.

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW (LAC) TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION, BUILD HEALTH EQUITY, AND RESTORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH ARREST AND CONVICTION RECORDS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND HIV OR AIDS.