Iowa Legal Aid has been awarded a $489,100 grant to expand services for low-income Iowans seeking to clear their criminal records. The funding comes from the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) Pro bono Innovation Fund, a $5.1 million national initiative.
The grant will bolster Iowa Legal Aid’s expungement and collateral consequences project,addressing a significant gap in access to justice. Nationally, LSC research indicates that half of eligible low-income individuals needing legal assistance are turned away due to limited resources. This funding aims to alleviate that burden in Iowa by increasing volunteer attorney participation, broadening service reach to 10 regional offices, and implementing virtual clinics for rural communities. Iowa Legal Aid anticipates assisting 600 clients and recruiting 40 new volunteer attorneys through the project.
Established by Congress,the Legal Services Corporation is an self-reliant nonprofit supporting 130 legal aid programs nationwide.Iowa Legal Aid will use the funds to collaborate with partners like Drake law School to enhance its capacity to navigate the complexities of expungement – the process of sealing or destroying criminal records – and address the often-overlooked collateral consequences that can create barriers to employment, housing, and education long after a sentence is served. The project’s expansion will provide critical support to Iowans seeking a second chance and a pathway to greater economic stability.
