Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
SUCCESS Program Addresses Family Legal and Social Challenges to Improve School Attendance
In a partnership with Clark County Juvenile Court and Springfield City Schools, ABLE is assisting chronically absent kids and their families through an innovative initiative called the SUCCESS Program. The program is funded by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Launched in early 2022, the SUCCESS Program focuses on serving young students at participating Springfield elementary and middle schools who meet the criteria for chronic absenteeism, a trend that has been steadily rising through the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the child and their family opt into the program, they are paired with a multidisciplinary team that includes an ABLE attorney to help the family resolve civil legal challenges, and a parent advocate employed by ABLE who works with an education liaison officer from the Clark County Juvenile Court to connect the family with critical social services, including housing and healthcare resources.
“On average, each family can be facing up to five different legal issues,” said ABLE Managing Attorney Renee Murphy. “We provide legal services to stabilize housing, to improve families’ economic stability, to ensure success in school, and to resolve family law matters. We also help families with things like medical appointments, finding furniture, and help with moving.”
To learn more about this program and partnership, please read the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation’s blog, where this story was first published.