FFLA stands at the threshold of achieving something many times greater than we could have imagined a decade ago. A little over a
year after an amendment to the IOTA rule, we now have the resources to fund legal aid in a way that is pivotal – a generational
opportunity to expand access to thousands more Floridians.
We have already seen that our grantees have been able to hire more lawyers and serve more clients. As they grow their programs, they can rest assured that IOTA funding will be consistent, allowing them to transform and reimagine the impact of broader legal options for the communities they serve.
Our board of directors and staff have been working diligently to implement new policies and procedures that ensure this increased funding is used efficiently and effectively. We review and analyze many data points reported by grantees to verify that IOTA funds are being used in accordance with the rule. With more responsibility comes more work, so FFLA has hired a grants assistant and a communications and development assistant to support our small staff.
We are excited and look forward to watching our state’s civil legal aid system grow and help more people in need. We want to bring along all of the supporters and advocates of legal aid who have worked so long to see a bigger impact. It is a great time to get energized about the tremendous work our grantees do. I encourage you to learn about your local legal aid program and spread the word about the services they offer and the significance of their work.
