DC Access to Justice Commission

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

The proposed 86% reduction to the Access to Justice Initiative will strip access to legal help from an estimated 40,000 DC residents. These are not DC values and the Council must prioritize this program to reverse. Learn more below.

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

2/2 Our resource page is at https://t.co/xSdA2fFB4Y and our information packet is at https://t.co/WOsdLasGF1

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

1/2 Grateful to the many CMs who mentioned access to justice during today's budget work session. @CMRobertWhiteDC @cmdonicrawford @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMWendellFelder @CMCharlesAllen @CMFrumin @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto @ChmnMendelson Read more about this impactful program...

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

A few reasons why the Council created ATJ 20 years ago @chmnmendelson, @anitabondsdc, @robertwhite_dc, @CMCHenderson, @donicrawford, @brianneknadeau, @CMBrookePinto, @CMFrumin, @ CMLewisGeorgeW4, @CMZParker5, @charlesallen, @ CMWendellFelder, @trayonwhite, @dccouncilbudget

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

Leaders agree = the ATJ Initiative is a force multiplier @chmnmendelson, @anitabondsdc, @robertwhite_dc, @CMCHenderson, @donicrawford, @brianneknadeau, @CMBrookePinto, @CMFrumin, @ CMLewisGeorgeW4, @CMZParker5, @charlesallen, @ CMWendellFelder, @trayonwhite, @dccouncilbudget

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

We are keeping our eye on the Council Budget Work Session today. Great to hear all the good work in restoring important programs that support DC residents. Want to learn more about the Access to Justice Initiative? Look here!

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

So grateful for your support for access to justice.

[Councilmember_RobertWhite @CMRobertWhiteDC]

My FY27 budget priorities remain focused on housing stability, public safety, workforce support, youth investment, and protecting pathways to homeownership for DC residents.

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

Today we are reflecting on the @councilofdc budget oversight hearings and what we heard about the deep value of access to free legal help - like this testimony from @MedStarHealth about how legal help enables cancer patients to access life-saving treatment.

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

@CMBrookePinto @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMCharlesAllen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

1/4 We are grateful to @CMCharlesAllen and the Transportation Committee for offering $2M to support closing the gap in Access to Justice Initiative funding cc: @cmdonicrawford @CMCHenderson @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

3/4 Finally we thank the Judiciary Committee for its $500,000 increase in FY27 and FY28 cc: @CMBrookePinto @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMCharlesAllen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

@CMBrookePinto @CMAnitaBondsDC @CMCharlesAllen @CMWendellFelder @cmdonicrawford

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

4/4 This still leaves an unacceptable $23.8M gap in Access to Justice Initiative funding that could mean 33,000 DC residents go w/out legal help. We thank the Judiciary Committee report for highlighting the need for the full Council to restore funding, https://t.co/YupeFhXobB

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

Our Executive Director spoke with @ChmnMendelson about the difference having access to a lawyer makes to individuals and the community @dccouncilbudget @councilofdc

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

@DC_Courts Erin Larkin describes the critical role of the ATJ Initiative. @chmnmendelson @anitabondsdc @robertwhite_dc @CMCHenderson @donicrawford @brianneknadeau @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @charlesallen @CMWendellFelder @trayonwhite @dccouncilbudget

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

Sharing clips to show why restoring ATJ funding is critical @EmpowerDC
@chmnmendelson @anitabondsdc @robertwhite_dc @CMCHenderson @donicrawford @brianneknadeau @CMBrookePinto @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @charlesallen @CMWendellFelder @trayonwhite @dccouncilbudget

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

3/3 We also heard from Cory Peterson from @Georgetown about how ATJ Initiative funding helps them address a wide range of health-harming legal issues: https://t.co/irMZ8f7D3P

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

1/3 it is good to hear again about how the ATJ Initiative advances the health of District residents @georgetownhja

[DC Access to Justice Commission @DCATJComm]

2/3 Last week Dr. Vance Sohn of @MedStarHealth testified about how addressing legal barriers helps his cancer patients access health services: https://t.co/34sg3fBLVw