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West Virginia’s largest nonprofit legal services organization is receiving a nearly $433,000 grant that will go toward developing artificial intelligence tools to help residents easily access legal information relevant to their needs.
The subsidy for Legal Aid of West Virginia – a statewide nonprofit organization that provides free legal services and advocacy to all residents, especially those with low incomes – has a total endowment of $432,900 and is a National Government Technical Initiative Grant Legal Services Companysaid a press release. The award is one of 31 awarded this year to legal organizations in 22 states, totaling $5.9 million.
The money, according to the release, will help Legal Aid’s team create “A Common Legal Help AI Model.” It will combine information from leading legal websites for frequently asked questions about the legal process and laws, based largely on those of Stanford University Legal design lab.
The goal of the project, according to the release, is to increase access to legal assistance while making the information more understandable and user-friendly for those who need it.
“We must ensure that every American has access to a fair justice system, regardless of income or background, and Legal Aid of West Virginia is an absolutely invaluable organization in this mission,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., in the press release. . “I am pleased that they are receiving this well-deserved funding to support technological innovation and modernization so that low-income West Virginians can better navigate the justice system. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for resources to advance Legal Aid’s critical efforts.”
The Legal Services Corporation is an independent, nonprofit organization created in 1974 by act of Congress for the purpose of providing financial assistance to legal organizations serving low-income populations throughout the country. Since its founding, the company has awarded 923 grants totaling more than $91 million for technology projects for local and regional legal aid groups. These funds, according to the release, have been successful in improving cybersecurity measures, building educational programs, strengthening overall program capacity and supporting the work of free legal representation for individuals.
“[The Legal Services Corporation] is proud to promote innovative solutions to the access to justice crisis, including supporting the efforts of legal aid organizations to embrace useful technology tools,” said LSC President Ron Flagg in the press release. “The Technology Initiative Grants support projects that improve the delivery of legal services and information to people who need support in dealing with serious civil legal issues that impact their housing, debt, employment or family stability.”
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