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KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES, INC.
2010 ANNUAL REPORT
KAN SAS LEG A L SERVIC E S
712 S. KANSAS AVE., SUITE 200
TOPEKA , KS 66603
www.kansaslegalservices.org
MARILYN HARP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
1-800-723-6953
Seneca
Kansas City
Manhattan Topeka
Hays Lawrence
Salina Emporia
Garden City Hutchinson
Wichita
Pittsburg
Dodge City
Covering Kansas
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MESSAGE FROM MARILYN HARP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
If 2010 had a theme, it would be overload – but in a good way. The numbers of eligible clients continued to
grow. We served 21,755 clients with representation or advice in 2010, up 6 percent from 2009 with no
significant increase in staff. The economic challenges certainly led to a portion of this increase. However,
even in good times, KLS has only been able to serve about 60 percent of the eligible clients who contact us.
We needed to find ways to provide meaningful service to eligible clients we could not help by full
representation in Court. In 2010, we made substantial progress in doing just that. As 2010 ended, we had
a number of forms in place on the Free Legal Forms page of the KLS website.
www.kansaslegalservices.org/FreeLegalForms
On that page, a low income person can find:
Petition for Divorce
Reply for Divorce
Divorce Decree
Child Support Worksheet
Poverty Affidavit
Parenting Plan
Adult Name Change
Expungement of Criminal
Conviction
Motion for Interested Party
Status in a Child’s case
Each form is prepared through answering a set of online questions in an interactive interview. Better than
being given a set of forms to fill out, this process allows us to put forward timely answers to a person’s
questions. Better than the forms available at a charge online or in office supply stores, this process creates
forms that are Kansas appropriate. But, we aren’t done with just providing the forms. During 2011, we are
adding a Live Help component where users can ask for information needed when they are working on
these forms. We are also developing an Assisted Pro Se program, where the papers can be reviewed by an
attorney before they are filed in Court.
The online forms have been extremely popular, with over 11,000 users generating 4,600 documents for
filing in Kansas courts. These forms aren’t for everyone and don’t ever take the place of an attorney for
individual representation. They are just the current, best solution for the large numbers of people who
need access to the Court system and find that representing themselves is the best available solution.
One of our employment training programs, the Topeka-Moving
Ahead Program (T-MAP), celebrated a milestone in 2010 when
the 50
th
class graduated from that program in November. This
milestone represented much for the graduates of the program,
who number 367 since 2003. It also represents the success of
the staff who work with chronically homeless, disabled
individuals and provide them a life-changing opportunity. In as
little as 13 weeks, we see attitude transformations as they
prepare resumes and think of a life other than one on the
street, and physical transformations as they begin work and take pride in their accomplishments. We were
pleased to have Derrith Watchman-Moore, Region 7 Administrator for the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, share her own life map with us, as the graduation speaker.
We greet 2011 with the confidence that we will continue to
help low and moderate income Kansans access the Justice system
provide a pathway out of poverty through employment training for others
We look forward to your joining us as a partner on that path! Marilyn Harp
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P R O G R A M H I S T O R Y
During the 1920s, the American Bar Association acknowledged the need for special assistance to
the poor by creating a committee on legal aid. Early legal services supporters recognized that the
pledge of “equal justice under the law” cannot be realized as long as people with limited resources do
not have access to the justice system. Legal aid societies were formed in Topeka, Wichita and Kansas
City by lawyers and community members concerned about the poor. From the 1960s until 1974, the
three Kansas legal aid societies, with the support of local bar associations, operated under the
authority of the Office of Economic Opportunity Office of Legal Services. The courts became a key
battleground in the War on Poverty and Legal Services lawyers were the advocates and defenders of
the poor throughout America. Along with Head Start and the Community Action Program, Legal
Services is one of the enduring programs from that era.
Authority for the legal services program was transferred from the Community Services Admin-
istration (successor to the Office of Economic Opportunity) to the newly formed Legal Services
Corporation during 1975. Through all of these changes in administrative authority and funding, the
Kansas legal aid societies continued to provide free legal services to the poor in Kansas.
In 1977, the Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita legal aid societies merged to form Kansas Legal
Services, Inc. Kansas was the second state in the nation to become a single, statewide entity. Building
on this strength, Kansas Legal Services now has thirteen legal services field offices and two mediation
offices located across the state, and maintains an extensive retainer contract system with cooperating
members of the Kansas Bar Association.
G OALS
Kansas Legal Services has progressively focused its efforts on special needs individuals, such as
victims of domestic violence, the homeless, children in foster care, the elderly, farmers, those with
disabling conditions, individuals seeking access to health care, those seeking mediation services and
persons who need basic life skills and employment training
One mission of Kansas Legal Services is to provide equal access to justice for persons not able to
pay for legal and other essential services. Kansas Legal Services is also a vehicle for keeping many low
income people from falling permanently into the category of chronically poor. It serves as a conduit by
which many low income people successfully get back on their feet and become self-sustaining.
OVERVIEW – KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES
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Criminal and traffic cases may be handled
by court appointment or government contract.
CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Civil legal assistance is advice and representation in cases that are not punishable by
imprisonment. They involve suits over money, property and other individual rights.
Such cases might include consumer, finance, education, employment, family, health,
housing, juvenile issues, income assistance, Indian/Tribal law and individual rights.
Must have a problem that has a legal
remedy
Must have a legal problem that can
be resolved through the Kansas
courts
Must be eligible for free or reduced
fee legal assistance (call for details)
Must call 1-800-723-6953 to apply or
apply online at
www.kansaslegalservices.org
HOW DO KANSANS
QUALIFY?
Individuals who wish to have an attorney may
call the Kansas Bar Association’s Lawyer
Referral Service (1-800-928-3111). Staff of the
Lawyer Referral Service will provide names
and contact information of area attorneys
who can be hired for representation.
WHAT IF SOMEONE DOESN’T
QUALIFY FOR KLS SERVICES?
The Victims’ Rights Program of the
Kansas Attorney General’s Office
(1-800-828-9745) has many helpful
resources.
Victims of sexual or domestic
violence can call 1-800-799-7233 or
visit the website of the Kansas
Coalition Against Sexual and
Domestic Violence
(www.kcsdv.org).
Those with needs outside KLS
services (criminal and traffic) may
want to ask the District Court to
appoint an attorney.
WHAT ABOUT VICTIMS OF
CRIME?
TYPES OF CASES KLS DOES
NOT HANDLE:
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LE G A L SE R V I C E S P R O G R A M
C O O P E R A T I V E P R O G R A M S W I T H T H E P R I V A T E B AR
Kansas Legal Services, Inc. continues to operate cooperative programs with the Kansas Bar Association (KBA) and
local bar associations in the state. Current programs for increasing and improving the availability of legal services
to low income Kansans include:
• Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program allows KLS to provide advice and representation in
housing, consumer issues, domestic violence and as matching funds for the Kansas Human Rights Commission
Voluntary Mediation Project.
• The Reduced Fee Plan provides legal services to people living on lower incomes who might not otherwise be
able to hire lawyers or qualify for free services. The program was designed by the KBA and assists clients with
routine legal matters at reduced fees.
• Pro bono panels have been organized in cooperation with many city and county bar organizations throughout
the state to extend free services to low income Kansans who may not qualify for services through KLS.
• The Lawyer Referral Service is administered by KLS for the KBA and is operated from our Central Intake.
Lawyer Referral matches individuals throughout the state with participating KBA attorneys in their area.
• Private Bar Retainer Contracts are used by KLS to supplement staff service statewide. Private Bar Contracts
are essential to expanding service availability and controlling costs, especially in sparsely populated rural
counties.
The Elder Law Hotline operates through a partnership of KLS staff and private attorney volunteers. With a single
phone call, Kansas seniors can receive legal information and advice.
A CCESS TO JU STI CE
Administered by the Office of Judicial Administration and overseen by the Supreme Court of Kansas, the Access
to Justice Fund is designed to improve access to legal assistance for low income Kansans who need advice,
representation or mediation services. The program is also intended to assist the Kansas courts in providing
service to pro se litigants. KLS was awarded Access to Justice funds for the first time in 1996. Access to Justice
funding has made it possible to create a statewide Access to Justice Advice Line and to greatly expand the ability
of Kansas Legal Services to provide advice and representation in family law matters, the area of need that is
historically the most underserved. The Access to Justice program allows Kansas court personnel to directly refer
low income individuals to KLS offices statewide.
F A M I L Y L AW
Through Access to Justice, Legal Services Corporation, United Way, Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA),
Victims of Crime Act, Department of Justice and other funding, KLS represents thousands of low income
persons—primarily women and children—each year in domestic law matters. The demand for legal assistance in
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family law matters continues to far exceed the capacity of KLS to provide direct representation. Priority is placed
on cases of spousal or child abuse and protection from abuse orders.
Access to Justice Funding (ATJ) has increased the number of family law clients KLS has been able to serve. Due in
large part to ATJ funding, KLS is assisting more low income Kansans with domestic law matters than ever before
in its 34-year history.
The Guardian Ad Litem Support Center (GALSC) is a statewide program that provides training, advice and other
supportive services to guardians ad litem, those who represent children in court proceedings. KLS GALSC staff
attorneys also provide direct advice and representation in child welfare cases.
Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program funds from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Pro-
grams continued in 2010. The statewide grant supports legal services for victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking or sexual assault.
Victims of Crime Act Grants (VOCA) are administered by the Governor of Kansas to assist victims of domestic
violence. KLS offices in Emporia, Hays, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Pittsburg, Salina, and Topeka were awarded VOCA
funds in 2010 to provide legal advice, representation and referrals to families fleeing abuse.
The Foster Care Helpline, part of the GALSC, is a toll-free hotline that provided accurate and timely information
to more than 406 foster children, foster parents and other concerned individuals who called with questions about
the foster care system in 2010.
PU B LI C BEN EFI TS A N D DI SA B I LI TY LAW
The primary goal of KLS’ public benefits advocacy is to assist low income individuals in accessing state and
federal public benefits programs. By maximizing this access, KLS staff work to ensure that low income Kansans
have necessary income, health care, food and shelter.
The Disability Law Project is funded through a contract with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation
Services (SRS). The Adult Social Security Advocacy Project is designed to assist adults receiving General
Assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families. KLS provides legal advice and representation to individuals
receiving cash assistance to assist them in becoming eligible for federal Social Security Disability Insurance or
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The Children’s Social Security Advocacy Project seeks to obtain SSI for disabled children. The project is focused
on children who are receiving services from SRS. Obtaining SSI cash and medical benefits for children often
makes home placement possible.
E L D E R L AW
KLS cooperates with the Kansas Department on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging as an integral part of the
state aging network. Older Americans Act funds are combined with Legal Services Corporation and other private
funds to address this growing area of need.
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Senior Citizen Law Project (SCLP) provides services in a wide range of civil legal issues to persons age 60 and
older. Its objective is to target the more vulnerable elderly population who are in the greatest social and
economic need. Priorities include assuring that seniors obtain the cash and medical assistance essential to their
well-being and stopping financial, physical or psychological abuse of elders. SCLP also has an extensive
community education program through which elders and workers serving them are educated about elders’
rights and protections under the law.
One point of access is the Elder Law Hotline, a program that links KLS staff and private attorneys to provide the
broadest range possible of legal advice and information.
F A R M L AW
The Farm Mediation Legal Counseling Program is operated through a contract with Kansas State University. KLS
provides legal assistance to Kansas farmers and ranchers through referrals from the Kansas Agricultural
Mediation Service (KAMS). KLS farm specialist attorneys provide both advice and legal representation to KAMS
clients in every county of the state. When legal assistance helps farmers retain their farms, the economies of
local communities and the state benefit.
M I G R A N T L AW
The Migrant Project allows KLS to work with a variety of organizations on a Legal Services Corporation Migrant
Project to improve outreach efforts to the migrant community. KLS provides wage claim, public benefits,
education, work contract and domestic violence assistance to this community.
M E D I C A L - L E G A L P A R T N E R S H I P S
In January, 2008, Kansas Legal Services implemented the Family
Health Care Legal Services Clinic in partnership with the University of
Kansas Law School and the Southwest Boulevard Family Health Clinic
in Kansas City, Kansas. The clinic serves patients living in some of the
poorest areas of the community. The goal of the partnership is to
improve the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, children
and families by integrating legal assistance into the medical setting.
In 2009, Kansas Legal Services implemented two more Medical-Legal
Clinics. With funding from the Sunflower Foundation and in
partnership with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas,
the Southeast Kansas Medical-Legal Partnership began on June 1,
2009, in Pittsburg. In August, 2009, the Kansas-Focused Medical-
Legal Clinic for Children was implemented in partnership with
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, funded by the
greater Kansas City Health Care Foundation. At both sites, KLS staff
provide legal assistance to persons using the health centers’ services
who are referred by a medical staff member.
The medical-legal partnerships rely on the collaboration between
health care professionals and legal staff. Healthcare staff is trained to
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screen clients for possible legal issues and refer clients to legal staff. Legal issues may be as simple as advice or
more complex, such as representation.
In 2010, KLS started the North Central Kansas Medical Legal Partnership at the Wamego Community Health
Ministry Clinic and the the Konza Prairie Community Health Center in Junction City, a project funded by the
Sunflower Foundation. At another project, with the Healthcare Access Family clinic in Lawrence, KLS staff
supervises law students from the University of Kansas Law School in a medical-legal partnership.
Plans were made in 2010 for KLS open the Southwest Kansas Medical-Legal Partnership in 2011. The project
activities are focused on residents of Southwest Kansas who use either the United Methodist Mexican-American
Ministry Health Clinics or Area Mental Health Centers. The clients of the health clinic will be predominantly
Hispanic, many speaking Spanish as their primary language. This location was selected because it represents a
very rural area, dependent on these providers as the only available health care resources. Both clinics must
provide services beyond health care because of the needs of the population. The Sunflower Foundation will fund
the project.
1-800-723-6953 – KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES CENTRAL INTAKE
Many people do not realize the importance of our Central Intake Application Department. Before any applicant
can receive advice or representation, they must first contact Central Intake and discuss their legal need with an
Intake Specialist. Without Central Intake and the dedicated people who work there, applicants would not have a
“beginning” to their legal needs and resolution. Central Intake is the first representative of Kansas Legal Services
and, as we all know, first impressions are very important.
Starting in mid-2010, an online application for services was
added to the KLS website, which helped Central Intake reduce its
call volume. Once the online applicant emails the application to
Central Intake, the applicant is contacted by Central Intake
within two business days.
Michele Hawley, Central Intake Manager, wrote: “Our Central
Intake unit fields calls from several sources: Kansas Elder Law
Hotline, Access To Justice Advice Line, Kansas Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service and requests for help through Kansas
Legal Services field offices. The call center is an extremely
stressful place to work with an average of about 4,200 calls
being processed every month. We hold weekly meetings in an
effort to keep staff motivated and informed within this very
busy, fast-paced environment. Speakers from other community
resources are utilized as one piece of this.”
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KLS IS PROUD OF OUR PRO BONO PROGRAM
Through this program, hundreds of attorneys donated 1,695 hours to meet the
needs of 528 clients. Law students donated over 3,200 hours to KLS to further meet the
needs of low income people. During 2010, the Kansas Bar Association recognized Kansas
lawyers who have joined us in this effort.
2010 Kansas Bar Association Pro Bono Award
Kathleen Coode
Kathleen has been volunteering in the Kansas City, KS KLS
office on a part time basis for years. She has worked on
various types of cases, including domestic, landlord/tenant,
elder law, bankruptcy and Social Security disability. She has
accepted cases of clients that KLS would otherwise have had
to turn away. She is a 1997 graduate of John Marshall Law
School in Chicago.
2010 Kansas Bar Association Pro Bono Certificates
Kansas Legal Services also expresses appreciation to these volunteers who
received Certificates of Appreciation for their pro bono work in 2010.
Lynda A Cleveland
Drew D Frackowiak
Christine M Graham
Douglas M Greenwald
Karl G Johnson
Timothy J Knopp
Keven M P O’Grady
Stephanie M Smith
Shea E Stevens
Shawn Tracy
These lawyers uphold the highest tradition of the legal profession, using their skills on
behalf of others and bringing to reality equal access to the Justice system.
Kansas Legal Services Donors
KLS wishes to recognize the 94 donors to who contributed $14,000 to support Kansas
Legal Services efforts in 2010.
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CASE TOTA LS
Advice and Representation
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Consumer/Finance
Advice & Brief Service
2,024
1,853
1,676
1,437
1,772
2,166
2,551
Representation
174
380
329
259
410
523
632
Other Service
533
687
1,228
1,072
1,597
2,417
996
Mediation
8
16
26
13
16
12
13
Total
2,739
2,936
3,259
2,781
3,795
5,118
4,192
Family
Advice & Brief Service
5,320
4,050
4,832
5,424
5,136
6,300
8,086
Representation
4,098
4,565
4,122
4,268
4,239
4,454
4,474
Other Service
3,400
4,059
4,420
5,029
6,524
6,895
174
Mediation
703
132
179
171
234
198
208
Total
13,521
12,806
13,553
14,892
16,133
17,847
12,942
Juvenile
Advice & Brief Service
274
184
186
45
28
28
102
Representation
1,939
2,032
1,805
1,988
2,364
2,007
2,054
Other Service
383
404
130
173
236
271
293
Mediation
41
23
130
244
212
152
163
Total
2,637
2,643
2,251
2,450
2,840
2,458
2,612
Health
Advice & Brief Service
253
221
251
305
415
457
594
Representation
3
41
85
120
147
131
96
Other Service
64
71
2
12
20
24
31
Mediation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
320
333
338
437
582
612
721
Housing
Advice & Brief Service
1,417
837
721
900
1,161
1,262
1,495
Representation
29
169
160
44
47
49
73
Other Service
299
365
149
78
94
140
274
Mediation
1
3
6
6
12
15
4
Total
1,746
1,374
1,036
1,028
1,314
1,466
1,846
Disability/Income Maintenance
Advice & Brief Service
532
231
182
486
556
593
691
Representation
1,945
1,949
2,575
2,562
2,748
2,111
1,632
Other Service
572
841
819
429
179
378
24
Mediation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
3,049
3,021
3,576
3,477
3,483
3,082
2,347
Miscellaneous*
Advice & Brief Service
1,914
1,210
1,145
1,633
1,914
1,849
1,919
Representation
1,833
2,769
2,373
1,714
1,673
1,832
1,417
Other Service
536
537
244
404
600
350
49
Mediation
176
157
478
559
626
775
707
Total
4,459
4,673
4,240
4,310
4,813
4,806
4,092
TOTAL CASES
28,471
27,786
28,253
29,375
32,960
35,389
28,752
*includes education, employment, individual rights, Indian/Tribal law, wills, criminal/juvenile defense
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AGE
Ethnicity Under 18 18-39 40 -59 60 and over Total
Asian 17 106 37 25 185
Black 380 1,104 690 339 2,513
Hispanic 430 1,159 326 80 1,995
Native American 5 155 77 40 277
White 1,192 7,834 4,189 3,460 16,675
Other 204 212 268 40 725
TOTAL 2,228 10,570 5,587 3,984 22,369
CLIENT PROFILES IN 2010
ETHNICITY GENDER
Asian 185 Female 14,493
Black 2,513 Male 7,876
Hispanic 1,995 TOTAL 22,369
Native American 277
White 16,675
Other Ethnic Group 725
TOTAL 22,369
Total clients for whom
demographic information
was available.
CASE DISTRIBUTION
Consumer/Finance 10%
Family 47%
Juvenile 9%
Health 1%
Housing 6%
Disability/Income
Maintenance 11%
Miscellaneous 16%
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THE ELIZABETH FERGUSON AWARD
RECOGNIZING STAFF EXCELLENCE
2010 Recipient: Michele Hawley
Michele Hawley is a fabulous asset to KLS. In her role
as Facilitator of Programs (a self determined
title), Michele is in charge of presenting an Excellent!
First Impression for KLS to callers to Kansas Legal
Services. In a year’s time, that means an Excellent!
First Impression to over 30,000 people. Michele
works with a staff of full and part time employees,
who are not law trained and usually know nothing
about KLS when they are first employed. She uses a
supportive training system that gives people
confidence in how to do a very difficult job. She
teaches her staff about the eligibility rules for all the
KLS programs – for Lawyer Referral, Lawyer Advice
Line, the Elder Law Hotline, etc. It is said that the
hardest thing we do at KLS is hire people who want
to say “yes” to requests for service and put them in a
position to say “no” all the time. Michele works with
her staff to handle this difficult part of the job in a
positive way for the callers and in a way that meets
the job satisfaction needs of the staff.
Michele understands the value of inclusiveness that
is conveyed when we have staff who can speak to
clients in their first (native) language. She
consistently pushes to find bilingual staff and
currently has English/Spanish and English/Viet-
namese speaking staff.
In addition, Michele has had to become the expert in telephone operations. Since the phone system is the
primary tool for her staff’s work, she has to know when to push what button in which machine to keep things
operating smoothly.
Twice a year, Michele teaches the KLS Customer Treatment training. This 16 hour course is a requirement for
all staff. It is something that models for staff the skills to make real a promise that “We may be the only legal
option you can afford, but we try not to act like it.” As the “teacher”, Michele realizes that she must display
those Positive Customer treatment skills every day in her work contacts with all staff, callers, and clients.
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EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
• Job Success was created in 1999 by KLS. Job Success provides job readiness and life skills training to recipients of long-
term cash assistance and other persons entering the workforce for the first time. The different workshops address
barriers to employment, life skills, soft skills and job readiness. Classes are open entry/open exit allowing clients to take
part in all workshops or only selected ones. Job Success classes are located in Topeka, Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal,
Great Bend, and Pratt.
• Expecting Success is a job readiness program started in 2009 through a contract with SRS. The program assists
pregnant or post-partum participants in the following twelve week curriculum: Nutrition Classes, Basic Math, Life Skills,
Goal Setting, Organization/Prioritizing, Prenatal Information, Self-Esteem Building, Job Readiness, Assessments, and
Pregnancy Prevention.
• Custom Computer Training (CCT) was created in 2001 in direct response to client needs for specialized computer
training. Enhanced computer skills very often allow for advancement to better-paying and more stable employment. CCT
offers training in small group settings. CCT provides wide-ranging services, from specialized one-one-one training in
particular software applications to job readiness. Services include:
Open entry/open exit enrollment
Microsoft Office
Introduction to Windows
Introduction to the Internet
Job Readiness
Microsoft Office Specialist Testing Center
HISTORY
Since 1995, Kansas Legal
Services has provided
employment and life-
skills training to low
income Kansans, helping
them acquire and
maintain family-
supporting employment.
KLS offers a variety of
training services and
works closely with
clients in a one-on-one,
supportive and
nurturing environment
to ensure that individual
goals are met. KLS
currently has
employment training
programs in six
locations across the
state.
Who is served by employment training programs?
Individuals enrolled in Kansas Legal Services’ employment training programs
are generally classified as “economically disadvantaged.”
More specifically, this group includes:
Those on TAF (cash assistance) who are required to be enrolled
in job-related activities as prerequisite for cash assistance.
Individuals with disabling mental or physical conditions.
Low income individuals seeking to upgrade skills in order to obtain a
higher-paying job.
People whose employers wish to have them trained in a particular
software application.
Persons who are homeless and need assistance in overcoming
persistent barriers to obtaining employment and housing.
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Number served by Employment Training Division in 2010
Topeka Custom Computer Training
38
Topeka Moving Ahead Program (enrollees and alumni)
179
Topeka Job Success--Expecting Success
57
Topeka Job Success, through Community Action
24
Great Bend/Pratt Job Success
203
Great Bend Career Coaches
5
Garden City Job Success
92
Dodge City Job Success
126
Liberal Job Success
157
Total Served in ETD in 2010
881
Topeka Moving Ahead Program (T-MAP) was created in 2003 through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development. The Topeka Moving Ahead Program (T-MAP), a member of the Topeka-Shawnee County
Continuum of Care, is a job readiness program that helps individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness
through housing and employment. T-MAP assists participants in developing their skills, obtaining employment, and
barrier resolution. The philosophy of T-MAP is to assist individuals with four major life transitions:
From homelessness to personal and community support
From addiction to recovery
From hopelessness to an experience of self-efficacy
From isolation to a career, economic self-sufficiency and a valued community role
Other services for T-MAP participants range from assistance in applying for public benefits, Social Security cards, and
Kansas ID or driver’s license (all of which may involve records search and legal rehabilitation), to finding a variety of
solutions to barriers. Individual needs/referrals that need to be addressed are handled on a case-by-case basis. T-MAP’s
commitment to participants extends far beyond the thirteen-week curriculum. T-MAP has created a network of program
alumni and staff who provide the caring and emotional support that is necessary to help each graduate successfully face
their unique social and career needs.
The 50
th
graduating class from T-MAP was celebrated in November, 2010. Over 350 students have graduated since 2003
and the celebration welcomed many of those graduates back to honor the program. Staff and students reminisced on
lessons learned and successes experienced.
Front row L-R: Chris Bush, Employment Specialist;
Lea Vincent, Director Employment Training; Derrith
Watchman-Moore, HUD Region 7 Administrator;
Deb Dolsky, Employment Specialist
Back row L-R: Teresa Porter, HUD Regional Director
(partially hidden); Kim Swinney, T-MAP Coordinator;
Marilyn Harp, KLS Executive Director; Pam Hook,
Employment Specialist.
13
SUC CES S ST ORY
Prior to T-MAP my life was unmanageable. I was serving my second prison sentence, I was in a horrible
relationship, my family had given up on me, and I had reached a point where I didn’t care anymore.
Sitting in the county jail one day I overheard a fellow inmate talking about T-MAP. She was getting
ready to go through the program and was excited so I asked her about it. She told me that they would
help me become a member of society once again…a dream I had long given up on. I wanted so bad for
a change to occur in my life, but I didn’t know where to start. I thought about what I had heard for
weeks. I finally went to my counselor and asked her about T-MAP. She gave me an informational
pamphlet and helped me fill out the application for the program. When I finally heard that I had been
accepted into the program I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I know my life was about to
change…and it did.
I came to T-MAP with fears, like so many others do, of the unknown. I hadn’t had a job in over a
decade and the only life I knew was of crime and drugs. When I left prison and paroled to the Topeka
Rescue Mission I promised myself I was leaving that life behind. I wanted a new life…but I was afraid
no one would give me the chance to experience that “good” life that I wanted so bad. T-MAP opened
my eyes to the possibility of a new beginning. Coming into a structured environment everyday with
positive people gave me hope. I took advantage of every opportunity that was given to me and ran
with it. I knew that with the support of the instructors I could be what I wanted to be.
I did my internship with Valeo and from there I was hired on as a Recovery Specialist. I am still
employed with that agency and am now a Certified Peer Specialist. I am still in active recovery. I have
a little over 2 years of sobriety. I am very active in the NA program as well as other groups within our
community. I got out of that abusive relationship and got divorced with the help of Kansas Legal
Services. I have since been in a long, healthy
relationship with my current husband. And I
owe most of this to T-MAP. Had my eyes never
been opened to the possibility of leading a
healthy, productive life within our community I
may still be living on the streets repeating the
same pattern I repeated for so many years.
Nicole (Miller) Fox
T-MAP Class 45
14
2010 KANSAS LEGAL SERVICES ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In 2010, Kansas Legal Services provided life changing services in the following manner:
1,675
Victims of domestic violence obtained a Final Protection from Abuse order, through the
representation of a KLS advocate and funded by a variety of sources, including VOCA and the US
Department of Justice
789
Adults received steady income from Social Security or SSI disability benefits, successfully concluding a
case that KLS assisted with, funded by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services,
putting $6.7 million in the Kansas economy (back awards) and returning $817,299 to the State of
Kansas through benefit reimbursement
1,220
Kansans completed Divorce Petitions through the Free Legal Forms on the KLS website, collaboration
with Judicial Council and the Supreme Court, part of 11 sets of forms available
348
Cases were mediated, involving employment, insurance or family issues
488
Clients served in the medical legal partnership clinics of Kansas Legal Services, including the
Southwest Boulevard Family Medical Legal clinic, the Southeast Kansas Medical/Legal Clinic the
Children’s Mercy Hospital clinic, the Community Health Ministry (Wamego) and the Medical Legal
Partnership in Southwest Kansas.
126
Kansas families got a fresh financial start, from a bankruptcy filed by KLS offices
244
Attorneys who serve as Guardians ad litem, received skill enhancing training from the Child Advocacy
Resource Center of KLS
275
Families met their child’s special needs, due to successful Children’s Social Security or SSI benefit
claims, funded by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
583
TANF Participants received job readiness skills to aid their return to work, through the Job Success
Program
50th
Graduation ceremony for T-MAP program invited 367 formerly homeless graduates together to
celebrate
27
Victims of discrimination advised by KLS staff as part of US HUD settlement
2,893
Hours of legal services provided at no cost to 528 clients from private attorneys, through KLS pro
bono program or the retainer program
70
KLS staff attorneys and paralegals focused their time and talents making Equal Access to Justice a
reality for low income Kansans
1,353
Parents received child support orders benefiting 2,661 children in divorce and paternity cases filed by
KLS staff
3,202
Hours were contributed by legal interns or volunteers to advance the legal needs of KLS clients,
preparing them to continue to give back during their careers on a pro bono basis
10,162
Clients received timely legal advice as they faced family law, housing or consumer related or other
crises in their lives
45,848
Applicants for KLS service, including 32,291 handled by Central Intake
2,114
Applicants completed the on line application form to make an initial request for service
15
MIDLAND MEDIATION AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES
What are the benefits of mediation?
Mediation is non-judgmental.
Mediators do not act as advocates, render any opinion or decide
how the dispute should be resolved. The mediator does not
assess fault or take sides.
Participants control the outcome.
Individuals involved in mediation create their own agreement.
The mediator’s role is to help develop a realistic, workable
solution that takes everyone’s thoughts and feelings into
consideration.
Mediation is confidential.
Kansas law (with some exceptions) makes mediations confidential.
All notes made by mediators are destroyed after an agreement is
reached.
Mediation can resolve issues quickly.
Mediation can resolve disputes quickly, as opposed to the months
or years it may take in traditional legal proceedings.
Mediation can preserve relationships.
Mediation can help build a positive framework for future interactions between individuals. Mediation also
models problem solving, listening and negotiation skills that can benefit participants long-term.
Mediation gets results.
Depending on the type of dispute, between 40 and 80 percent of disputes taken to mediation result in
agreement.
How do people access mediation services?
KLS provides mediation in a wide variety of cases including insurance disputes, special education,
employment discrimination, public accommodations and domestic matters such as custody and
visitation. Kansans received mediation assistance from KLS, which receives referrals from local
district courts, the Kansas Human Rights Commission, the Kansas Insurance Department and others.
KLS also offers fee-based mediations on a sliding scale.
Contact Randy Hershey, Director of Mediation, at 785-232-5348.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process in
which a trained mediator
facilitates communication and
negotiation between parties in
dispute. The goal of mediation is to
reach an agreement that settles
the dispute in a mutually
satisfactory manner.
Mediations are conducted at a
neutral location and in an informal
and non-threatening environment.
During the process, all participants
have the opportunity to share their
thoughts and feelings regarding
the matter in dispute. With the
mediator, all individuals
collectively create an agenda,
identify the issue in dispute, define
each individual’s interests and
create an agreement.
16
MEDIATION SERVICES PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The KLS mediation program has eight approved mediators providing civil rights, employment, domestic,
truancy, permanency, offender-victim, juvenile, insurance and other mediation services throughout the
state. Mediation services complement the work of KLS by providing a non-adversarial dispute resolution
method for appropriate cases.
• Access to Justice Mediations (ATJ) are funded by the Office of Judicial of Administration under the
direction of the Kansas Supreme Court. ATJ funding enables court personnel to refer clients directly to KLS
offices for mediation services at no cost to participants. Most ATJ mediations involve post-divorce custody
issues.
• Human Rights Mediations offer voluntary mediation to individuals involved in employment, housing,
racial and other profiling, and public accommodation filed with the Kansas Human Rights Commission. The
Kansas Bar Foundation, with Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Accounts funding, also provides support to this
program.
• Kansas Insurance Department Mediations are provided to consumers and insurance companies who
are in dispute over property and casualty claims in matters referred to the KID.
STORIES
In a domestic mediation in 2010, the parents were in the process of divorcing and they had
two children. Some concern was raised prior to the mediation that the since Father was
from an overseas country that he would attempt to take the children there. The parties
reached agreement with the Mother as primary residential parent and Father has specific
parenting time specific to his work schedule. Some circumstances specific to this particular
situation were also included in the agreement.
In an employment mediation, the Complainant was in his late 50’s and was working for Respondent who was
terminated for cause. The Complainant had for the most of his career been a good employee but due to the violation
received an automatic termination. The Complainant cited several other employees who had similar infractions who
were either suspended for a period of time or received penalties appropriate to their infractions. The Respondent
did not want to terminate the employee due to his work record but felt they had no choice. During mediation the
Complainant presented his examples of similar employee infractions and how they were handled. The Respondent
understood that their termination may have been a little severe for the situation and rehired the Complainant with a
new hire date as a measure of providing some penalty to the situation and still keeping the employee. This avoided
the cost of hiring someone else to do the job, allowed the employee to return to work and allowed the Respondent
to revisit their policy manual to avoid similar incidences. Since the Complainant spoke very little English, his daughter
served as an interpreter. After the mediation session she asked the Respondent if they would consider hiring her as
an employee. The Respondent answered favorably, the Complainant’s daughter submitted her application and the
Respondent is holding onto it for a future opening.
17
F U N D I N G A N D S T A F F F I G U R E S
Y E A R E N D E D D E C E M B E R 31, 2 0 1 0
W I T H C O M P A R A T I V E T O T A L S 2 0 0 7 - 2009
2010
2009
2008
2007
Legal Services Corporation
$2,770,779
$2,568,003
$2,315,741
$2,299,552
Department of SRS – State of Kansas
899,789
605,321
1,355,414
1,065,280
Access to Justice
836,927
866,571
845,782
876,338
US Department of HUD
190,957
184,996
244,889
220,778
IOLTA & Bar Sponsored
693,640
833,905
827,341
850,234
City/County Grants
1,111,902
1,077,743
972,235
1,029,394
Area Agencies on Aging
306,882
275,991
331,641
310,747
Custom Computer Training
112,328
155,983
119,045
144,242
Mediation Contracts & Fees
116,588
129,842
165,158
182,284
United Way
258,129
267,953
275,477
260,309
WORKs
0
0
84,345
331,168
Office of the Governor &
Department of Justice
477,526
426,008
511,594
456,131
Farm Counseling
32,870
89,979
66,909
82,279
Office of Judicial Administration - GALSC
150,100
150,000
150,000
150,000
Social Security Administration
0
2,529
45,763
62,302
Job Success
289,109
211,395
235,746
232,898
Foundation Grants
41,250
165,000
165,000
150,000
Court Awards
41,481
11,696
22,873
23,325
Interest Income
1,839
1,900
8,990
9,987
Medical-Legal Partnerships
216,000
142,360
0
0
Other Miscellaneous
303,350
220,079
236,082
393,608
Total Revenues
$8,851,446
$8,387,256
$8,980,026
$9,131,856
S T A F F T O T A L S
2010
2009
2008
2007
Full-time equivalent employees
140
140
139
157
18
E X P E N S E S
Y E A R E N D E D D E C E M B E R 31, 2 0 1 0
W I T H C O M P A R A T I V E T O T A L S F O R 2007 - 2009
2010
2009
2008
2007
Salaries
$5,482,893
$5,251,232
$5,398,481
$5,765,435
Employee Benefits and Payroll Taxes
1,311,228
1,208,505
1,197,250
1,167,658
Rent, Parking, Utilities and Maintenance
707,995
708,630
718,425
732,292
Equipment Rental and Maintenance
89,105
104,905
86,077
110,058
Office Supplies, Printing and Postage
210,207
199,734
238,159
243,788
Telephone
105,501
90,671
88,582
128,219
Travel
95,885
95,178
109,008
138,621
Training
82,427
89,002
74,162
112,061
Library Upkeep
42,575
58,234
43,674
47,601
Insurance
49,258
48,623
74,306
66,924
Litigation Expenses
19,022
26,812
32,284
31,657
Audit, Consulting and Contract Services
244,068
284,999
258,032
357,106
Private Attorney Retainers
45,585
37,929
65,326
70,024
Kansas Bar Foundation Subgrant
57,501
46,000
46,000
46,000
Depreciation
59,044
81,555
74,867
52,406
Other
99,490
83,335
83,471
132,259
Total Expenses
$8,701,784
$8,333,788
$8,589,105
$9,202,266
19
2011 B O A R D OF D I R E C T O R S
Vicki Allen
Client Representative
Pittsburg Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Kristin Fisher Boyer
Attorney
Salina Service Area
Term: 2010-2013
Charlene Brubaker
Attorney
Hays Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
David Calvert
Attorney
Kansas Association
for Justice
Term: 2008-2011
Treasurer
Audrey Calvin
Client Representative
Garden/Dodge City
Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Secretary
John Chenoweth
Attorney
Pittsburg Service Area
Term: 2008-2011
Vice President
Shelley Hickman Clark
Attorney
University of Kansas
School of Law
Term: 2008-2011
Amy Fellows Cline
Attorney
Wichita Service Area
Term: 2010-2013
Larry C. Hoffman
Attorney
Olathe Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Delores Jones
Client Representative
Kansas City Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Doug Jones
Attorney
Emporia Service Area
Term: 2010-2013
President
Charlotte Lee
Client Representative
Emporia Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Diane Minear
Attorney
Topeka Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Roberta Molstadt
Client Representative
Hays Service Area
Term: 2011-2014
Deborah (Mori) Moreno
Client Representative
Topeka Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
Shawn Morris
Client Representative
Manhattan Service Area
Term: 2011-2014
William Pitsenberger
Attorney
At Large
2011-2014
Aliza Organick
Attorney
Washburn University
School of Law
Term: 2009-2012
Kitra Schartz
Attorney
Manhattan Service Area
Term: 2008-2011
Robert Stephan
Attorney
Kansas Bar Association
Representative
Term: 2009-2012
Wayne White
Staff Representative
Term: 2010-2013
Lucius Woodard
Client Representative
Wichita Service Area
Term: 2009-2012
20
K A N S A S L E G A L S E R V I C E S C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
712 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66603
785-233-2068 telephone
785-354-8311 fax
Executive Director: Marilyn Harp
Application Line 800-723-6953
Or apply for services online
http://www.kansaslegalservices.org
LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICES
Dodge City
100 Military Plaza, Suite 101
Dodge City, KS 67801
620-227-7349 telephone
620-227-8001 fax
Managing Attorney: Shirley Calvin
Kansas City
400 State Avenue, Suite 1015
Kansas City, KS 66101
913-621-0200 telephone
913-621-3817 fax
Managing Attorney: Leland Cox
Seneca
203 N. 8
th
St.
Seneca, KS 66538
785-336-6016 telephone
785-336-6429 fax
Managing Attorney: Paul Shipp
Emporia
527 Commercial, Suite 521
Emporia, KS 66801
620-343-7520 telephone
620-343-6898 fax
Managing Attorney: Ty Wheeler
Lawrence
708 W. 9
th
, Suite 106
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-838-3401 telephone
785-838-3404 fax
Managing Attorney: Bethany Roberts
Topeka
712 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 201
Topeka, KS 66603
785-354-8531 telephone
785-233-2096 fax
Managing Attorney: Bethany
Roberts
Garden City
120 Grant
Garden City, KS 67846
620-275-0238 telephone
620-275-4999 fax
Managing Attorney: Shirley Calvin
Manhattan
104 S. 4
th
St., 2
nd
floor
Manhattan, KS 66502
785-537-2943 telephone
785-537-2927 fax
Managing Attorney: Paul Shipp
Wichita
200 N. Broadway, Suite 500
Wichita, KS 67202
316-265-9681 telephone
316-265-5902 fax
Managing Attorney: Rhonda
Sullivan
Hays
2017 N. Vine
Hays, KS 67601
785-625-4514 telephone
785-623-4262 fax
Managing Attorney: Candace
Bridgess
Hutchinson
206 W. 1
st
St.
Hutchinson, KS 67501
620-694-2955 telephone
620-663-2519 fax
Managing Attorney: Candace
Bridgess
Pittsburg
408 N. Walnut
P.O. Box 1509
Pittsburg, KS 66762
620-232-1330 telephone
620-232-1344 fax
Project Director: Eric Rosenblad
Salina
1000 Westchester Dr.
Salina, KS 67401
785-825-8147 telephone
785-825-2250 fax
Managing Attorney: Candace Bridgess
21
E M P L O Y M E N T T R A I N I N G
Director: Lea Vincent
Dodge City - Job Success
1509 Avenue P
Dodge City, KS 67801
620-338-8952 telephone
620-227-6498 fax
Liberal - Job Success
615 N Kansas
Liberal, KS 67901
620-624-2229 telephone
620-626-3702 fax
Topeka - T-MAP
712 S Kansas Ave., Ste 412
Topeka, KS 66603
785-270-5690 telephone
785-270-5698 fax
Garden City - Job Success
1710 Palace Drive
Garden City, KS 67846
620-271-9295 telephone
620-272-5830 fax
Topeka - Custom Computer Training
712 S Kansas Ave., Ste 414
Topeka, KS 66603
785-270-5629 telephone
785-354-8311 fax
Pratt - Job Success
Pratt SRS Office
400 South Main, Suite B
Pratt KS 67124
Phone: (620) 672-5955
Fax: (620) 672-9391
Great Bend - Job Success
1305 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-792-7390 telephone
620-792-5373 fax
Topeka - Job Success, Expecting Success
712 S Kansas Ave., Ste 410
Topeka, KS 66603
785-270-5614 telephone
785-354-8311 fax
M E D I A T I O N S E R V I C E S
Director: Randy Hershey
Topeka
712 S. Kansas Ave., Suite 400
Topeka, KS 66603
785-232-5348 telephone
785-233-5932 fax
Wichita
200 N. Broadway, Suite 450
Wichita, KS 67202
316-265-7697 telephone
316-290-8255 fax