Trainers:

• Dorinda Wider, Staff Attorney, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• Heather Meyers, Senior Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Agenda:

Survivors of domestic abuse have rights and protections related to federally-assisted housing under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) among other provisions. However, survivors do not always identify themselves as survivors or identify their legal problems as resulting from domestic or sexual violence. Does your client have rights they may not know that you need to inform them about? It is important for the legal services case handlers in all practice areas to spot instances when domestic abuse and sexual violence may be related to the legal problem for which the survivor seeks assistance. This will help us ensure the housing protections of VAWA are claimed by its intended beneficiaries. This training will help you, especially if you are not primarily a housing advocate:

• Know the available housing protections under VAWA
• Understand which housing programs are covered by VAWA   
• Learn the questions to ask to identify a case where your client has VAWA rights and protections    
• Identify other possible housing protections even if VAWA is not available in your client’s situation   
• Refer cases to the right person or office

CLE: 2.0 hours of Standard Minnesota CLE credit will be applied for.

For more information and to register, click the following link:  http://www.mnlegalservices.org/upcoming-trainings/vawahousingrights.