The Service Tree lists all services in "branched" groups, starting with the very general and moving to the very specific. Click on the name of any group name to see the sub-groups available within it. Click on a service code to see its details and the providers who offer that service.
Legal Services
Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with benefits administration staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.
Programs that help people obtain, complete and/or file official forms, certificates, documents, applications or other paperwork that is required to apply for benefits or services, initiate or respond to legal action or to officially handle or document the occurrence of a transaction; that help people acquire copies of official documents on file elsewhere; or that review legal documentation an individual has received to help explain its meaning.
Civil Liberties Legal Assistance
Programs that provide assistance for individuals who believe that their rights have been violated and need access to an attorney who is qualified to argue their case. The law differentiates between civil rights, i.e., the basic right of freedom from discrimination based on personal characteristics such as gender, race or disability, and civil liberties which are basic freedoms including the right to free speech, the right to privacy, the right to remain silent in a police interrogation, the right to be free from unreasonable searches of one's home, the right to a fair court trial, the right to marry and the right to vote. Civil liberties are either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, or have been established by interpretations through the years by legislatures or the courts.
Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly or denied normal privileges based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
Programs that provide assistance for people who are involved in disputes or legal actions which affect their domestic relationships.
Identification Application Assistance
Programs that assist individuals who have inadequate or no ID, particularly those who are homeless or have little or no income, to obtain or replace identifying documents. May include assisting clients with application forms, filing and paying for applications on the client's behalf, providing a mailing address when necessary for delivery, and offering ongoing safe storage for the documents.
Immigration/Naturalization Adjudication Offices
Organizations that administer the immigration and naturalization laws which relate to the admission of aliens, adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence, extension or change of nonimmigrant status, removal of aliens and naturalization of non-citizens; which provide information and guidance for people who want to permission to enter the United States; and/or which help interested parties become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Programs that maintain lists of private attorneys and link people who need legal assistance with lawyers who specialize in the required area of law.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs
Programs that investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of nursing facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and other supervised living facilities for older adults. The program also promotes policies and practices that improve the quality of life, health, safety, welfare and rights of residents; monitors laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities; provides the public with information about long-term care options; and promotes the development of consumer organizations concerned about long-term care. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system.
Medicaid Managed Care Ombudsman Programs
Programs that help to solve problems to ensure that members enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care program receive all medically necessary covered services for which their plans are contractually responsible. The office of the Ombudsman serves as an objective resource to resolve issues between Medicaid managed care members and managed care health plans, helps members understand their rights regarding services, care and access to managed care, connects members with local resources that can help them including patient rights services, assists members with urgent enrollment and disenrollment problems, and educates members on how to effectively navigate through the Medicaid managed care system.
Programs that provide assistance for people who are involved in proceedings that deal with the establishment of decedents' wills, the settlement of decedents' estates or the appointment of a guardian or conservator for adults or children who are unable to manage their own affairs.
Programs that provide assistance for people who need to obtain legal protection to prevent harassment, stalking or violence in situations involving child abuse, domestic abuse, elder abuse, abduction, sexual assault, stalking or other forms of harassment or the threat of workplace violence. Depending on the situation, a person may have more than one type of order. Restraining and personal protection order laws vary from one jurisdiction to another but all establish who can file for an order, what protection or relief a person can get from such an order and how the order will be enforced. The court will order the adverse party to refrain from certain actions and/or require compliance with certain provisions. Failure to comply is a violation of the order which can result in the arrest and prosecution of the offender. Violations in some jurisdictions may also constitute criminal or civil contempt of court.