"Hallmarks of an Effective Statewide Civil Legal Services System"

Washington Access to Justice -  040049

Abstract Number: 040049

January 2004

The Washington State Access to Justice Board adopted Washington's "Hallmarks of an Effective Statewide Civil Legal Services Delivery System" to identify the mission and core values of Washington state's legal services community. Washington's Hallmarks identify and explain 15 values shared by Washington's civil legal services' providers and serve as the basis for Washington's state planning. In 1995, before drafting Washington's original state plan, leaders in the civil legal services community outlined the community's core values in order to establish a value-based planning system as well as overcome any territorial or programmatic issues that may arise in the state planning process. Washington sought to ensure that the values expressed in the Hallmarks were implemented and coordinated on the state, county, and city level throughout the state.

Washington's experience suggests that the success of implementing a value- based document such as the Hallmarks is most effective when a statewide entity such as Washington's Access to Justice Board can ensure that the legal services community throughout the state continues to affirm the values in planning and ongoing efforts to deliver legal services to low-income people. Washington's Access to Justice Board originally adopted the Hallmark's in 1995 and revisions were adopted on February 20, 2004. To learn more, access the Washington's "Hallmarks of an Effective Statewide Civil Legal Services Delivery System" below as a PDF document.

Contact Information:

Joan Fairbanks
Washington State Access to Justice Board
2101 Fourth Avenue, Suite 400
Seattle, Washington 98121
Phone: (206) 727-8282
joanf@wsba.org

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