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About SMLP:
It has long been recognized that social and economic factors affect patient health. Many government aid programs and laws are intended to assist low-income families with their health needs, but unfortunately doctors are often unaware of these programs or do not have the resources or advocacy skills to assist families in these areas. Families may lack the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to access these resources as well. The result is poor health outcomes for patients that were preventable. SMLP seeks to train health care providers in identifying these heath-related legal issues, assist them in becoming better advocates for their patients through case consultations, and provide legal services to families.
SMLP’s mission is to:
- improve health outcomes for low-income patients;
- provide advocacy and legal intervention to prevent health crises for low-income patients caused by non-medical factors;
- provide multidisciplinary training for law students, medical students and residents;
- encourage multidisciplinary collaboration between the legal and medical professions;
- foster a productive relationship between two educational institutions;
- educate health care providers to identify health-related legal issues and become better advocates for their patients;
- disseminate information about SMLP’s outcomes and community impact through publication and academic presentations; and
- cultivate a relationship between the law and medical schools and the greater Syracuse community.
How SMLP Works:
Staff at the University Pediatric and Adolescent Center (UPAC) and Department of Geriatrics, are trained to identify patients in need of SMLP services. Identified patients and families are referred to legal staff in the Office of Clinical Education at the College of Law.
Students in the Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic (CRC) and Elder Law Clinic (ELC) meet with the referred patients to determine legal issues and clinic eligibility. If possible, the clinics will undertake representation of the patient. If legal representation is not possible, the patient is referred to the Family Law and Social Policy Center for pro bono represenation.
The Family Law and Social Policy Center (Center) will place referred cases with volunteer attorneys from its pro bono referral network. Law students affiliated with the Center may volunteer to assist the pro bono attorneys with their referred cases.