The Service Tree lists all services in "branched" groups, starting with the very general and moving to the very specific. Click on the name of any group name to see the sub-groups available within it. Click on a service code to see its details and the providers who offer that service.
Legal Services
Programs that provide information and/or legal assistance that helps farmers, landowners and others who are involved in the agricultural industry understand their rights and responsibilities and achieve compliance with the federal and state laws, administrative rulings and court decisions that govern the practice of agriculture. Specific issues may include crop and livestock financing; farm financing and borrowers' rights; farm bankruptcy; agricultural land leases; eminent domain (condemnation); agricultural labor laws; livestock sales and breeding rights; mad cow disease, hoof and mouth disease and other conditions that affect livestock; livestock waste management; pesticides and herbicides; agricultural production contracts; genetically modified organisms; insurance coverage; water resources law; fence laws; and the formation and operation of agricultural cooperatives and the disputes that may arise among members. Clients may include local and federated agricultural cooperatives, hybrid seed companies, hog production operations, meat packing plants, agrichemical companies, cattle producers and related organizations.
Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with benefits administration staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.
Programs that help people obtain, complete and/or file official forms, certificates, documents, applications or other paperwork that is required to apply for benefits or services, initiate or respond to legal action or to officially handle or document the occurrence of a transaction; that help people acquire copies of official documents on file elsewhere; or that review legal documentation an individual has received to help explain its meaning.
Programs that provide assistance for people who have cases involving violations of federal and state statutes governing sales and credit practices involving consumer goods, in situations where appeals to consumer complaints organizations have not resolved the issue. Consumer law cases involve deceptive or unconscionable advertising and sales practices, product quality, credit financing and reporting, debt collection, leases, and other aspects of consumer transactions.
Programs that provide legal assistance (generally advice and representation in criminal investigations, plea negotiations, trials and appeals) for people who have been charged with an offense made criminal by federal or state laws or municipal or local ordinances and punishable by death, imprisonment, fines, restitution or other specified sanctions; individuals released on probation as an alternative to incarceration; or people who have been released on parole following a period of incarceration and remain in the legal custody of the correctional system which has the authority to suspend and revoke the parole of any parolee for violations of the law or parole rules.
Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly or denied normal privileges based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
Programs that provide information and guidance for individuals who need assistance in the area of law which relates to the rights and needs of older adults, especially in the areas of age discrimination, consumer fraud, estate planning and management, living trusts, trust administration, probate, property law, retirement planning, pension benefits, Social Security benefits, Medicaid and Medicare, disability planning, long-term care alternatives, health care decisions, elder abuse, guardianships and conservatorships.
Programs that offer a review of options and assistance to people who want to provide for the administration and/or protection of their assets during their lifetime, develop a plan for managing their finances in the event of a disabling illness, prepare binding instructions for the health care they wish to receive or avoid should they become terminally ill, make arrangements for the disposition of their assets with a minimum amount of taxation upon their death and provide for the administration of their estate should their spouse or other beneficiaries be incapable of managing their affairs. Estate planning provides an opportunity for individuals to make their wishes known and to name the person(s) who will be responsible for carrying out those directives. Tools available during the estate planning process include a Last Will and Testament, durable power of attorney for health care, durable financial power of attorney and a directive to physicians such as a living will, natural death directive or other state-recognized document. A revocable living trust may also be appropriate in some circumstances.
Programs that provide legal assistance for people with a history of incarceration who need advice related to their status as ex-offenders (also known as returning or returned citizens).
Programs that provide assistance for people who are involved in disputes or legal actions which affect their domestic relationships.
Programs that provide legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals who need assistance in routine legal matters, usually in the area of bankruptcy, housing, public benefits, family law, elder law or immigration/naturalization.
Human Trafficking Legal Assistance
Programs that provide legal assistance including consultation and representation for victims of human trafficking who have a case involving issues such as coercion into prostitution, forced marriage, domestic violence, bonded labor or other controlled situations against their will that fall within the jurisdiction of the courts in the United States. Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by improper means, such as force, abduction, fraud or coercion, for an improper purpose, like forced or coerced labor, servitude, slavery or sexual exploitation.
Identification Application Assistance
Programs that assist individuals who have inadequate or no ID, particularly those who are homeless or have little or no income, to obtain or replace identifying documents. May include assisting clients with application forms, filing and paying for applications on the client's behalf, providing a mailing address when necessary for delivery, and offering ongoing safe storage for the documents.
Identification Modification Assistance
Programs that provide assistance for individuals who need to change their name, address, marital status or other personal identification characteristics on government issued documents.
Immigration/Naturalization Adjudication Offices
Organizations that administer the immigration and naturalization laws which relate to the admission of aliens, adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence, extension or change of nonimmigrant status, removal of aliens and naturalization of non-citizens; which provide information and guidance for people who want to permission to enter the United States; and/or which help interested parties become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Immigration/Naturalization Adjudication Services
Programs that accept and make administrative decisions regarding immigration petitions and naturalization applications submitted by immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization.
Immigration/Naturalization Legal Services
Programs that provide legal assistance for immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization. Services are generally provided by nonprofit immigration law offices and may involve information and consultation about benefits under immigration law including procedures for obtaining student, visitor and employment-based visas; family immigration; asylee status; lawful permanent residence status; or citizenship.
Programs that provide assistance for people who want to appeal the denial of automobile, health, homeowners, renters or life insurance or cutbacks in insurance benefits; who need to file an insurance claim; or who need to initiate or respond to litigation regarding the settlement of an insurance claim.
Programs that provide legal assistance for people who want to establish employment practices for their organization that will minimize or eliminate problems in the employment area or who need to resolve a dispute or initiate or respond to litigation which relates to their role as employers or employees, their rights and obligations. Labor and employment law deals with a variety of issues including ADA compliance, wage and hour compliance, workplace health and safety, interview and hiring practices, employee contracts, employee benefits, maternity/paternity leaves, medical leaves, supervision and discipline, workplace privacy, workplace violence, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and worker's compensation cases as well as protection from a range of employer-committed crimes including wage theft, deliberate worker misclassification, evasion of unemployment and workers' compensation laws, labor trafficking, defamation including false statements by an employer during or after the firing process, violation of state laws related to whistleblower protections or other relevant statutes.
Programs that provide assistance for employer and employee groups who are in the process of negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing or arranging the terms, tenure, hours, wages, fringe benefits or conditions of employment. Included are programs that protect the employee's right to organize, oversee the union election process, and settle disputes between labor and management groups as well as those that provide technical assistance for labor and management groups to help them develop and maintain effective working relationships and avoid controversies before they arise.
Programs that provide assistance, information and support for tenants and/or landlords who are involved in rental housing disputes; or which administer state laws or local ordinances which govern rent control and other aspects of tenant/landlord relations.
Programs that maintain lists of private attorneys and link people who need legal assistance with lawyers who specialize in the required area of law.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs
Programs that investigate and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of nursing facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and other supervised living facilities for older adults. The program also promotes policies and practices that improve the quality of life, health, safety, welfare and rights of residents; monitors laws, regulations and policies that affect those who live in long-term care facilities; provides the public with information about long-term care options; and promotes the development of consumer organizations concerned about long-term care. Under the federal Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system.
Programs that provide assistance for people who want to file a petition to legally change their name.
Programs that provide assistance for Native Americans who need legal advice or representation regarding federal recognition, treaty rights, fishing and hunting rights, environmental protection, reservation boundaries, land acquisition, land and water rights, Indian gaming, housing, health, taxation or jurisdictional questions. Attorneys who practice in this area are concerned with the treaties, statutes, executive orders, court decisions and administrative actions that define the relationship among the United States, Indian tribes and individuals, and the states. Native American law attorneys are found in federal government bodies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and The Indian Claims Commission, which hears and determines claims against the United States on behalf of any Indian tribe. Private law firms also have lawyers who specialize in matters relating to Indian lands and reservations, tribal rights and other legal issues affecting Native Americans. Specific Indian tribes, which are recognized as sovereign entities with the power to regulate their internal and social organization, have lawyers who may be members of the tribe themselves, and/or lawyers who are hired as "general counsel" to handle the legal affairs of their tribe. Public service agencies also serve the Native American community with lawyers who specialize in the Indian Child Welfare Act, and others who serve children, people who are elderly, or indigent members of the Native American community.
Public officials who are authorized by the state to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and depositions, attest to the authenticity of signatures and take acknowledgment of and certify deeds and other conveyances.
Programs that provide assistance for people who are involved in proceedings that deal with the establishment of decedents' wills, the settlement of decedents' estates or the appointment of a guardian or conservator for adults or children who are unable to manage their own affairs.
Programs that provide assistance for people who need to obtain legal protection to prevent harassment, stalking or violence in situations involving child abuse, domestic abuse, elder abuse, abduction, sexual assault, stalking or other forms of harassment or the threat of workplace violence. Depending on the situation, a person may have more than one type of order. Restraining and personal protection order laws vary from one jurisdiction to another but all establish who can file for an order, what protection or relief a person can get from such an order and how the order will be enforced. The court will order the adverse party to refrain from certain actions and/or require compliance with certain provisions. Failure to comply is a violation of the order which can result in the arrest and prosecution of the offender. Violations in some jurisdictions may also constitute criminal or civil contempt of court.
Traffic/Parking Violation Assistance
Programs that provide information and assistance for people who have violated one of the provisions of state motor vehicle codes or local parking or traffic ordinances and have questions about payments, their rights and their alternatives.
Programs that take custody and dispose of property of people who die intestate without known heirs and property, including bank accounts with no recent activity and uncashed checks, that is unclaimed or abandoned. Also included are organizations that attempt to locate owners of abandoned property or that help owners file claims to take possession of property to which they are entitled.
Programs that provide legal assistance for employees or other individuals in the public or private sector who wish to report public health and safety violations, waste, mismanagement, fraud or other corrupt practices within their organization and/or who need to seek protection from retaliation by their employers because of their whistleblowing activities. Included are programs that represent individuals who wish to file a qui tam action under the federal Civil False Claims Acts (or one of the state versions of the Act), a statute which permits private citizens to file lawsuits in the name of the U.S. Government (or state and local governments) against government contractors, health care providers and others who are defrauding the government. Whistleblowers (also known as "relators") are entitled to a share of funds that are recovered as a result of successful qui tam actions.
Wrongful Action Compensation Administration
Programs that administer payment of wrongful injury, illness or death claims or claims for other losses involving acts of negligence or incompetence or actions of another type in situations where the courts have ordered the responsible organization to set aside funds as a means of reparation to victims. Examples include compensation for losses due to exposure to asbestos, Agent Orange, thalidomide or environmental disasters such as Love Canal or government actions such as the Japanese internment during World War II. Also included are programs that administer funds which have been established by the government to compensate individuals and families who have suffered injury, illness, death or other losses due to a known consequence of an action required by the government in situations where victims are prevented by law from requesting compensation through the courts, e.g., the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program which was established to compensate people who suffered adverse reactions to required childhood immunizations.