LSC Awards Technology Grants to Missouri Legal Aid Programs

LSC is awarding Technology Initiative Grants (TIG) totaling $584,106 to two legal aid programs in Missouri.

This year’s grant recipients are leveraging technology to strengthen their organizations and expand access to legal services in different ways.

This year’s grantees in Missouri are:

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (MO)

Category: TIG

Funding Amount: $268,552

Description: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. (LSEM) proposes a collaborative project with NPLS to establish a best-practices Microsoft 365/Azure cloud architecture, transitioning both organizations fully to the cloud. This initiative aims to enhance user and data security, automate administrative tasks and create a replicable model for other legal service providers.

Key components include implementing Conditional Access Policies, Digital Loss Prevention, and robust email protection to safeguard client confidentiality and mitigate cyber threats.

Additionally, the project will utilize Power Automate for process automation and improve document management through SharePoint and OneDrive. Comprehensive training and support will empower staff and streamline operations, increasing the efficiency and quality of legal services provided to eligible clients while setting a standard for cloud adoption in the nonprofit sector.

Legal Aid of Western Missouri (MO)

Category: TIG

Funding Amount: $315,554

Description: Legal Aid of Western Missouri proposes the creation of a virtual self-help center, "DIY Divorce," aimed at simplifying pro se divorces. This user-friendly online platform will guide Missourians through the process of generating court-approved pleadings using a TurboTax-style question-and-answer format. Initially focused on dissolutions of marriage, the system will also include automatic redaction of sensitive information to protect client privacy. Legal Aid plans to coordinate with Missouri's court system to enable seamless electronic filing of documents through Case.net. With the support of all four Missouri legal aid programs, a dedicated Project Director will oversee development and content creation, ensuring that the platform effectively meets the needs of users while expanding access to justice in the state.