The NLADA Client Policy Group and the design committee for their training track are preparing a series of sessions designed to meet the needs the hundreds of conference participants who serve as client board members of civil legal aid or defender programs, or who are advocates in their local communities. The sessions are designed to build upon the success of trainings from previous years. Participants in this daylong track will have an opportunity to choose among a number of sessions including:

• Technology and Internet Access
• Developing Leadership Skills
• Preparing for Reentry
• Assisting Clients with Mental Health Issues

For more information:
Contact Cynthia Works, (202) 452-0620 ext. 220. c.works@nlada.org

Clients with mental disabilities face many obstacles as they wander through the maze of the civil and criminal justice systems. These barriers not only impact the client, but also their families and the communities in which they live. These clients need and deserve lawyers - both legal aid and defenders - who are knowledgeable about ways to demystify mental disability litigation.

This joint track will focus on the medical, legal, ethical issues encountered by both legal aid and public defense professionals such as:

• Civil Rights & the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Involuntary Commitment
• Privacy Issues
• Criminal Responsibility
• Education
• Housing
• Involuntary Commitment
• Forced Medication
• Access to Treatment

The track will also focus on specific strategies where civil legal aid and defenders can collaborate to reform the policies that present barriers to those with mental disabilities. Participants in this track will shape NLADA's action agenda as we find common ground and rally our combined strengths to better serve our shared clients and communities, and promote national reforms.

Sessions will address challenges of mental disability litigation, including:

• Roles, Responsibilities & Ethical Issues facing Counsel involved in Mental Disability Litigation
• The Criminalization of the Mentally Ill
• Systemic Advocacy for Assigned Counsel
• Clinical Aspects of Mental Disabilities & Treatment Options
• Policy Reform & Legislative Initiatives

For more information: Contact Cynthia Works, 202-452-0620 ext. 220 or c.works@nlada.org

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