2024-11-13T14:42:32-06:00 2023-12-31 720567396 DUPLANTIER HRAPMANN HOGAN & MAHER LLP 1615 POYDRAS STREET SUITE 2100 NEW ORLEANS LA 70112 990 2023-01-01 720832432 ACADIANA LEGAL SERVICE CORPORATION ACAD 8662752572 1020 SURREY STREET LAFAYETTE LA 70502 SACHIDA RAMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8662752572 2024-11-13 1 1 MICHELLE H CUNNINGHAM CPA P01343336 5045868866 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z SACHIDA RAMAN 1020 SURREY STREET LAFAYETTE LA 70501 12087471 0 X WWW.LA-LAW.ORG X 1977 LA ACADIANA LEGAL SERVICE CORPORATION (ALSC) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, FUNDED PRIMARILY BY THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC) AND THE LOUISIANA BAR FOUNDATION (LBF), TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO OUR MARGINALIZED CLIENT COMMUNITY IN CIVIL MATTERS FOR OVER 65% OF THE TOTAL FORTY-TWO PARISHES IN LOUISIANA. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES BY ADVOCATING FOR FAIRNESS, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE AND OUR VISION FOR THE STATE, IS FOR THESE SERVICES TO BE EASY AND TIMELY ACCESSIBLE. OUR FREE LEGAL SERVICES INCLUDE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FAMILY LAW ISSUES, CHILD IN NEED OF CARE, CONSUMER AND FINANCE, HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DISASTER RELATED ISSUES. 18 18 143 5 0 0 10366937 11911087 0 0 24487 36224 148408 140160 10539832 12087471 131259 107134 0 0 8212347 8856837 0 0 6791 1599158 2359401 9942764 11323372 597068 764099 7224270 7728420 2435427 2175478 4788843 5552942 X THE MISSION OF ACADIANA LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION IS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES BY ADVOCATING FOR FAIRNESS, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE AND OUR VISION FOR THE STATE, IS FOR THESE SERVICES TO BE EASY AND TIMELY ACCESSIBLE. OUR FREE LEGAL SERVICES INCLUDE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FAMILY LAW ISSUES, CHILD IN NEED OF CARE, CONSUMER AND FINANCE, HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND DISASTER RELATED ISSUES. 0 0 9616235 107134 140160 THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES A SPECIALIZED APPROACH TO DELIVERY OF SERVICES THROUGH THE FOLLOWING UNITS: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW UNIT ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS IN NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF PUBLIC BENEFITS TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. CHILD IN NEED OF CARE (CINC) UNIT PROTECTS VULNERABLE CHILDREN BY PROVIDING THEM WITH LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR PROTECTION.FAMILY LAW UNIT DEALS WITH EMOTIONAL, PERSONAL, AND YET LIFE-CHANGING ISSUES LIKE DIVORCE, CUSTODY, SUPPORT, INTRA-FAMILY ADOPTIONS, AND SECURING PROTECTION IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES. THEY ADVOCATE WITH COMPASSION AND SEEK TO STABILIZE AN OTHERWISE VOLATILE SITUATION. GENERAL LAW UNIT ADDRESSES VARIOUS ISSUES AFFECTING OUR CLIENTS' FINANCIAL STABILITY, INCLUDING CONSUMER, BANKRUPTCY, CREDIT ISSUES, AND ESTATE PLANNING. OUR DISASTER UNIT STEPS IN WHEN A NATURAL DISASTER STRIKES AND SUPPORTS EXISTING DISASTER SURVIVORS BY HELPING THEM NAVIGATE LEGAL ISSUES IN THE AFTERMATH.HOUSING UNIT WORKS TIRELESSLY TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AND TO PROTECT TENANTS' RIGHTS.PRO BONO UNIT CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE ATTORNEYS AND PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES ON EITHER A FREE OR REDUCED FEE BASIS ACROSS OUR 42-PARISH SERVICE AREA.IN 2023, ALSC HANDLED 4,098 CASES THAT ASSISTED 10,451 ELIGIBLE LOUISIANA HOUSEHOLDS, SERVING 4,981 CHILDREN, 152 VETERANS, 410 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, AND 1,836 ELDERLY RESIDENTS BEING 60+ YEARS OLD. ALSC HAD A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES WHICH INCLUDED OVER $2.3M IN DISABILITY BENEFITS, SPOUSAL SUPPORT, SUCCESSIONS, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID BENEFITS AND IN HOUSING MATTERS. THE TULANE LAW SCHOOL LUTZ FELLOW PROGRAM, ALLOWED ALSC TO PROVIDE REPRESENTATION TO AT LEAST 35 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OBTAINING PROTECTIVE ORDERS FOR THEIR SAFETY AND TO ENABLE SURVIVORS AND THEIR MINOR CHILDREN TO BECOME ECONOMICALLY STABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LSC DISASTER GRANT, PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE LOUISIANA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (OCD), HUNT, GUILLOT & ASSOCIATES (HGA), AND ALSC HELP ADDRESS HEIR AND TITLE PROPERTY ISSUES FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS STILL STRUGGLING WITH REPAIRS. ALSC PROVIDED REPRESENTATION IN OVER 120 CASES TO HELP DISASTER SURVIVORS RECOVER AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. ALSC CAN NOW UTILIZE JUSTICE MOBILE UNITS TO TRAVEL TO THE UNDERSERVED "LEGAL DESERTS" IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND TO DELIVER SERVICES TO OUR CLIENT COMMUNITY LITERALLY AT THEIR DOORSTEPS. ALSC, IN 2022, WAS ONE OF ONLY 9 GRANTEES THAT RECEIVED A $1MILLION STATEWIDE HUD EVICTION PREVENTION GRANT FOR TWO YEARS. ALSC CONTRACTED WITH SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA LEGAL SERVICES (SLLS), ENABLING SLLS TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA. ALSC HAS APPLIED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA), LEGAL SERVICES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS AND VETERANS AT-RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS (LSV-H) GRANT PROGRAM AS WELL AS THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT, LAV GRANT FOR THE FALL OF 2024. OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR JUSTICE MOBILE UNITS HAVE EXPANDED CONNECTION TO 59,729 ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS. ALSC'S DISASTER AND HOUSING UNITS CONNECTED WITH OVER 14,000 RESIDENTS BY HOSTING VARIOUS COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINICS AND PROVIDING EDUCATION THAT RAISED AWARENESS ABOUT THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. PROVIDING SUCH VALUABLE LEGAL INFORMATION ENABLES OUR CLIENT COMMUNITY TO PROTECT AND ADDRESS THEIR LEGAL ISSUES BEFORE IT DEVELOPS INTO A CRISIS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS ALSO HELPED INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH HOUSING AND DISASTER CASES BY APPROXIMATELY 10% IN 2023. IN APRIL 2023, ALSC ENTERED ITS FIRST MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP WITH LOUISIANA HEALTH CARE CONNECTIONS WHICH INCREASED FUNDING BY $75,000. OUR PARTNERSHIP EXPANDED REACH, RESOURCES, AND COMMUNICATION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BRIDGING A GAP BETWEEN MEDICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES.ALSC CONTINUES TO INNOVATE AND IS TRANSFORMING ITS INTAKE SYSTEM AND CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WHICH BEGAN IN AUGUST 2023. IT HAS REORGANIZED ITS MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, IS UNDERTAKING NEW PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, OPTIMIZING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ALL ASPECTS OF ITS OPERATIONS, AND IS POISED TO BECOME A MORE EFFICIENT AND LEADING LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM, IN THE NATION. 9616235 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 81 0 1 143 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 LA X X X SACHIDA RAMAN 8662752572 1020 SURREY STREET LAFAYETTE LA 70501 SUSAN KUTCHER JONES PRESIDENT 0.00 X X 0 0 0 GEORGE ERNEST III VICE PRESIDENT 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JULHELENE JACKSON TREASURER 0.00 X X 0 0 0 CHANTELL SMITH ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 THERESA RICHARD ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 LINDSAY YOUNG MEADOR ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 CYNTHIA COBB ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANNA SIMMONS SECRETARY 0.00 X X 0 0 0 KAREN C MCLELLAN ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARY WINCHELL ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 STACY GUICE ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 BRANNON MENARD AT-LARGE MEMBER 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANN POOLE ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 SYLVIA HILL ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 MELODY TROUT ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 SANTRICA POPE ELIGIBLE CLIENT 0.00 X 0 0 0 TAMARA BATTLES ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES E CALHOUN ATTORNEY 0.00 X 0 0 0 SACHIDA RAMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 37.50 X 146810 0 20885 FRANCHESCA HAMILTON-ACKER SR. ATTORNEY/UNIT LEADER 37.50 X 109117 0 19888 SANDRA S POTIER OFFICER STAFF 37.50 X 108153 0 19464 WALTER P MCCLATCHEY JR OFFICER STAFF 37.50 X 101159 0 8581 465239 0 68818 4 1 1 0 0 11863819 47268 11911087 36224 36224 PRO HAC VICE 541100 56566 56566 LAFAYETTE PARISH COURT FEES 541100 34599 34599 CADDO PARISH CLERK OF COURT FEES 541100 16699 16699 32296 32296 140160 12087471 140160 0 36224 107134 107134 169779 18676 144312 6791 6806156 6104269 701887 246536 199041 47495 1116016 869778 246238 518350 401308 117042 65517 50723 14794 679241 525870 153371 275089 212975 62114 313592 275961 37631 134334 126274 8060 54577 51302 3275 270244 209224 61020 188984 146312 42672 EQUIPMENT RENTAL MAINTE 121426 94008 27418 TELEPHONE 84062 65081 18981 MISCELLANEOUS 59120 45771 13349 LIBRARY AND OTHER SUPPL 56469 56469 56746 56059 687 11323372 9616235 1700346 6791 675606 209117 1699954 1579305 520108 1169019 152430 151047 6762373 2229409 4153096 4532964 23076 86968 7224270 7728420 844574 794052 1567777 1294458 18124 10705 4952 76263 2435427 2175478 X 742100 904741 4046743 4648201 4788843 5552942 7224270 7728420 764099 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 5914206 7701368 9115631 10366937 11911087 45009229 5914206 7701368 9115631 10366937 11911087 45009229 45009229 22481 18708 16502 24487 36224 118402 45127631 757032 0.99740 0.99760 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 18124 76568 83987 10705 1 X 1026665 1026665 4213482 1466772 2746710 1484144 724555 759589 38082 38082 0 4532964 OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE LIABILITY 76263 76263 X 12101641 14170 14170 12087471 0 12087471 11337542 14170 14170 11323372 0 11323372 PART IV, LINE 2B: FUNDS RECEIVED FROM CLIENTS ARE DEPOSITED INTO A SEPARATE CASH ACCOUNT AND RESTRICTED FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH RELATED LITIGATION. PART X, LINE 2: THE CORPORATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER SECTION 509(A)(2). ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN MADE. HOWEVER, IF THE CORPORATION WOULD ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES UNRELATED TO THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS CREATED, TAXABLE INCOME COULD RESULT. IN MANAGEMENT'S JUDGEMENT, THE CORPORATION DOES NOT HAVE ANY TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS CONTINGENCY CONSIDERING THE FACTS, CIRCUMSTANCES, AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THE REPORTING DATE. PART IV, LINE 2B: FUNDS RECEIVED FROM CLIENTS ARE DEPOSITED INTO A SEPARATE CASH ACCOUNT AND RESTRICTED FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH RELATED LITIGATION. THE FUNDS ARE HELD FOR SPECIFIC CLIENT RELATED EXPENSES AND CANNOT BE USED TO FUND OPERATIONS. 1 CENTRAL LOUISIANA PRO BONO 3600 JACKSON STREET SUITE 126 ALEXANDRIA LA 71303 721198792 11884 0 LEGAL SERVICE LAFAYETTE VOLUNTEER LAWYER PROJECT PO BOX 2194 LAFAYETTE LA 70501 581875564 39000 0 LEGAL SERVICE SHREVEPORT BAR FOUNDATION PRO BONO PROJECT 625 TEXAS STREET SHEREVEPORT LA 71101 721115393 15750 0 LEGAL SERVICE SOUTHWEST LA BAR FOUNDATION 518 PUJO STREET LAKE CHARLES LA 70602 270316235 17500 0 CHILD IN NEED CARE CENTRAL LOUISIANA PRO BONO 3600 JACKSON STREET SUITE 126 ALEXANDRIA LA 71303 721198792 23000 0 CHILD IN NEED CARE X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SACHIDA RAMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 146810 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20885 0 167695 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE BYLAWS PROVIDE THAT SEVERAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES MAY APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B PRIOR TO FILING, THE DRAFT IS REVIEWED BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THEN SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH RECEIVE A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND COMPLETE A FORM ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT AND DISCLOSING ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS IN WRITING. ALL CONTRACTS ARE EXAMINED FOR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS PRIOR TO EXECUTION AND SIGNING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE COMPENSATION SCALE FOR ALL POSITIONS, AS WELL AS INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET. A WAGE COMPARABILITY STUDY IS ALSO PERIODICALLY REQUIRED. ALL DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS ARE DOCUMENTED IN MINUTES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE AUDITORS OFFICE. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S OVERSIGHT PROCESS OR SELECTION PROCESS DURING THE TAX YEAR.