Partnerships between community health centers, civil legal services, and community-based domestic violence programs are essential to address the health, legal, and safety needs of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), human trafficking (HT) and exploitation. Formalizing medical legal partnerships (MLPs) is a crucial step to help connect people at risk of or affected by IPV, HT and exploitation with important legal services, including but not limited to; criminal justice legal aid, immigration legal services, family law and employment services. Medical-legal partnerships integrate the unique expertise of lawyers into health care settings to help clinicians, case managers, and social workers address structural problems at the root of so many health inequities. These collaborations can help build stronger bond in communities to safely connect patients to medical, legal, and social services, to potentially reduce harm and create a symbiotic network of support mechanisms. Similarly, these partnerships can help increase health access for clients receiving community-based legal or domestic violence support, as well as for their staff. Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation provides training and adaptable resources to grow and solidify the partnerships between community health centers, legal service providers and community-based domestic violence programs.

See below for related webinars, learning collaboratives, and resources: