Florida legal aid leaders take center stage in D.C. forum on disaster recovery
U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee says legal aid organizations are a vital resource in helping Floridians navigate natural disasters and get back on their feet.
“By partnering with them we can strengthen our disaster response and help our neighbors navigate the long road to recovery.”
With hurricane season underway and Florida’s vulnerability to natural disasters top of mind, legal aid leaders from the Sunshine State joined counterparts from across the South in the nation’s capital on June 3 for “Justice After the Storm: Disasters & Access to Justice Across the South.”
The forum, held in collaboration with U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, spotlighted the critical role Florida’s legal aid organizations play in helping communities recover from disasters long after first responders leave.
The forum featured five panelists representing legal aid organizations from Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas. Speakers shared firsthand experiences supporting survivors in disaster-impacted communities and offered insights into building resilient recovery systems, along with tactics for ongoing outreach and support of disaster prone and vulnerable populations.
“In Florida, we know all too well the devastation that hurricanes leave behind,” said Rep. Lee, who represents eastern Hillsborough County, including Thonotosassa and Plant City, and part of Brandon, as well as parts of Pasco and Polk counties, including Zephyrhills and west Lakeland. “Long after the winds die down and the floodwaters recede, many families are still facing complicated legal challenges that can stall their recovery.”
Lee said legal aid organizations are a vital resource in helping Floridians navigate these challenges and get back on their feet.
“By partnering with them we can strengthen our disaster response and help our neighbors navigate the long road to recovery,” Lee said. “I’m proud to support efforts that ensure our communities have access to the resources and support they need to recover fully and prepare for the future.”
Panelists also addressed a wide range of legal challenges including displacement, housing disputes, FEMA appeals, lost documents, fraud, insurance, probate and heirs’ property, and access to public benefits. Many of the panelists emphasized how post-disaster legal needs extend long after emergency services have departed.
“Sharing the important work of grant recipients is a critical way to show where federal dollars are going, and they’re going directly into communities,” said Ron Flagg, president of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC funds civil legal aid organizations like Florida’s Community Legal Services in every congressional district in the United States.
“Civil legal aid isn’t about Washington — it’s about helping people back home,” Flagg said. “Every day, legal aid providers in communities across the country help Americans navigate serious legal challenges that affect their families, health, housing and livelihoods. Whether it’s a veteran struggling to access benefits or a disaster survivor trying to rebuild, legal aid is a vital local service that strengthens communities across the country.”
According to data from the Legal Services Corporation, only 8% of the civil legal problems facing Florida’s low-income residents receive any legal help.
The forum also explored how legal aid organizations incorporate lessons learned from major disasters to improve outreach and service delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities. In doing so, they help individuals not only recover but also prepare for future disaster impacts.
Jeffrey D. Harvey
“Many Americans are familiar with the recovery process after a disaster strikes, such as assessing damage and obtaining food, water, or first aid,” said Jeff Harvey, CEO of Community Legal Services. “What many don’t know is legal aid steps in to help survivors rebuild their lives, navigate complex systems, and secure the stability they need to move forward.”
Harvey said legal aid staff are trained and prepared to help during the most difficult times.
“If you or someone you know needs information on civil legal issues or needs legal assistance and may qualify for our services, disaster-related or otherwise, go to LegalAccessForAll.org for more information,” he said.
Participating organizations included:
- Community Legal Services
- Bay Area Legal Services
- Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida
- Florida Rural Legal Services
- Legal Services of Greater Miami
- Legal Services of North Florida
- Three Rivers Legal Services
- Georgia Legal Services Program
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
