In partnership with Superior Court of California, Inland County Legal Services (ICLS) implemented the San Bernardino County Proyecto Ayuda Legal (PAL) project to provide assistance to monolingual Spanish speakers who need assistance in family law, landlord tenant matters, and in select guardianship cases. PAL staff members provide information and document preparation services but do not form an attorney/client relationship with those seeking assistance. The court entered into this partnership with ICLS to increase access to the court system for monolingual Spanish speaking court customers. The PAL project is located in three court houses in San Bernardino County: the Central Valley Court, the Rancho Cucamonga Court, and the Victorville Court. Interested parties may receive services at the Central Valley Court four days a week and two days a week at the latter two locations. The PAL project is located in the Court's Self-Help Facilitation Centers.
ICLS is currently negotiating with its PAI subgrantee the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino to accept referrals of monolingual Spanish speaking persons who require help with guardianship cases. (49 court forms for the first filing several interviews, and many notice issues). In San Bernardino County, there has been an explosion of these types of cases due to the high drug and alcohol addiction problems.
ICLS serves low-income residents living in Riverside and San Bernardino County in southern California and is home to many Latino immigrants. The 2003 Census revealed that Spanish is the primary language spoken at home in 27% of all households in these two counties.
Contact Information:
Irene Morales Executive Director Inland County Legal Services 1737 Atlanta Avenue, Suite H-3 Riverside, CA 92507 Phone: (909) 368-2531 Fax: (909) 368-2542 Email
LSC:
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