Mission: As the largest state funder of civil legal aid, the lbf supports programs that provide free civil legal services for the poor in all 64 parishes of the state of louisiana. The lbf also supports organizations that provide law-related education to the public, administration of justice projects and other social justice initiatives. The lbf helps women who are victims of domestic violence, children who need a stable home or special education, elderly whose economic security or health care is in jeopardy, consumers impacted by improper lending practices, workers denied lawful wages and benefits, disabled people denied opportunities, immigrants who work without benefits or contracts, and communities devastated by natural disasters.
Programs: Iolta program - interest on lawyer trust accounts -the iolta program was created by the louisiana supreme court and is administered by the lbf. Iolta generates interest that helps finance civil legal services for the poor. The interest is granted annually by the lbf to louisiana's legal service providers, pro bono programs, and other community organizations that provide civil legal aid to louisiana's poor.
child in need of care -the lbf serves as administrator for the cinc program providing free legal representation to children in foster care in partnership with the legal services corporations, the louisiana department of child and family services and the louisiana supreme court. The lbf provides governance and oversight of the funds and ensures program and financial compliance. In fiscal year 2016-2017 the program provided representation to 2,729 children, made over 12,812 court appearances on their behalf and participated in more than 863 family team conferences. The cinc program provides $2. 0 million annually.
kid's chance scholarships-the kid's chance program provides scholarships to the children of louisiana workers who have been killed or permanently and totally disabled in an accident compensable under a state or federal workers' compensation act or law. The program is administered by the lbf and is governed by a committee representing a cross-section of the state's legal and workers compensation communities. Since 2004, the program has awarded 255 scholarships totaling $545,600.
The community impact that the Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) makes in and around the State of Louisiana is incomparable. Just last year, the LBF issued over $12 million in funds to help civil legal aid organizations around the State. This money generated great opportunities for underserved citizens and provided access to resources that those citizens wouldn't otherwise have. The "Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator" -- LBF's mobile legal services sprinter van in partnership with Lagniappe Law Lab -- is demonstrative of LBF's commitment to the people of Louisiana. And, let me also add that the staff at the LBF are the most professional group of people I have ever worked with in a non-profit setting. They are truly fabulous in carrying out their mission and their commitment to the community.
The Louisiana Bar Foundation has supported my nonprofit since it's inception, and we truly could not accomplish our mission without them! Beyond their generous financial support of our organization, they are strategic partners, always on the lookout for ways we can collaborate with them, their other grantees, and the broad network of organizations they come in contact with through their work. Their support has helped us serve hundreds of thousands of people and strengthen Louisiana's civil justice system as a whole.
