Preventive Law as Preventive Medicine: The Medical-Legal Partnership Model

The Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) model is an effective method to address complex social determinants improving the health and well-being of individuals in need. Nationally, MLPs have been established in a variety of settings, including over 235 healthcare institutions. While MLP attorneys often provide imminent critical legal interventions to remedy a crisis after it happens, MLPs also deliver preventive legal services to avert detrimental events. In addition to providing direct legal services, MLPs focus on providing collaborative care, increasing the advocacy capacity of healthcare staff, and advocating for systemic policy change. Health, Education and Legal Assistance Project: A Medical-Legal Partnership (HELP: MLP) is a collaboration between Crozer-Keystone Healthy Start, ChesPenn Health Services, and Widener University School of Law. HELP: MLP serves clients in Chester, Pennsylvania, one of the nation's poorest cities. Legal and social work staff collaborate to remedy a variety of issues faced by clients including housing, public benefits, and domestic violence. Additionally, HELP: MLP staff utilize a legal needs screening tool to identify issues and provide preventive legal services including thwarting utility shut-offs, termination of benefits, and evictions. Since its inception in 2009, HELP: MLP has resolved over 200 legal issues, conducted more than 15 trainings for health care and social work providers and has educated more than 20 students from multiple disciplines. Moreover, results from program evaluation conducted by public health faculty at Thomas Jefferson University show that HELP: MLP services have been successful in reducing client stress and increasing provider knowledge and advocacy capacity.