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priorities that complement each other, and coordinate procedures for referrals. For example, most LSC offices <br />handle public housing, family law and landlord/tenant cases, which are experienced by low-income individuals <br />regardless of age. A IIIB program would still have the flexibility to represent an older adult with a landlord/ <br />tenant problem, if referred by the LSC office for not meeting eligibility guidelines. Both programs must work <br />together closely to avoid clients being bounced between programs or falling through the cracks. <br />In addition to LSC coordination, coordinating with local aging network community-based organizations <br />(CBOs) is critical for providing holistic assistance to older adults. When legal services programs build <br />relationships with these CBOs, and communicate with them regularly, the LBOs can issue -spot and refer older <br />adults from the target populations to legal services, when appropriate. Here are some ways legal services can <br />work with a CBO to reach the target populations: <br />• Coordinate with the local Long -Term Care Ombudsman program to reach nursing home residents; <br />• Train volunteers and staff who deliver meals and other home services on how to recognize priority legal <br />problems and refer persons with legal needs to the legal provider; and <br />• Offer a free legal clinic at an LGBT center focusing on issue of specific interest to LGBT older adults. <br />Providers may also consider creating an Advisory Committee within the aging network to receive input <br />about the needs, interest, and preferences of the target population. This committee should be diverse and include <br />representatives of the target population, as well as other service providers and community leaders who serve or <br />represent targeted groups. <br />6. Make services accessible and user friendly <br />Easily accessible services and user friendly offices are essential to targeting and successfully reaching those in <br />greatest need. Legal providers should periodically assess their offices and operations to see how easily older adults <br />can access their services. <br />Accessibility Check: Questions to Ask <br />• Location and times of operation: Is the office and intake site located within the target client <br />community? <br />• Home and institutional visits: Does the program make home or institutional visits so that homebound <br />seniors and those in nursing facilities have access to services? <br />• User friendly and culturally sensitive offices: Does the staff reflect the racial, ethnic and social <br />backgrounds of the targeted groups? Does the program inform and educate staff about the <br />perspectives, beliefs, traditions and customs of the cultures in the area served by the office? <br />• Telephone access: Does the provider have a toll-free number to enhance accessibility for clients in <br />outlying rural areas? Does the provider utilize a relay service to communicate with clients who are <br />deaf or hard of hearing? Is the phone system equipped to accept emergency messages from clients <br />when staff are unavailable to answer? <br />• Internet access: Does the program's website clearly, and prominently, list the e-mail address, intake <br />hours, directions and program priorities? As increasing numbers of older adults use Facebook to <br />communicate, does the program have a Facebook account that it uses to help older adults access <br />services? <br />Issue Brief 7 <br />