Community Members Can Call 631-761-7198 or Visit www.tourolaw.edu/tlcresponse For Free Help

Central Islip, NY (May 12, 2020)– In conjunction with the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), a coalition run by the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), Touro Law has launched a legal helpline that will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Students and attorneys will provide community members with free assistance or referrals on a myriad of issues including landlord-tenant, civil liberties, bankruptcy, employee rights, unemployment, stimulus payment, insurance, and more by calling 631-761-7198 or visiting www.tourolaw.edu/tlcresponse.

Touro Law is coordinating with the non-profit community and has a leadership role in Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (LIVOAD). Community members will be referred to Touro’s clinical program as well as pro bono partners including the practicing bar and not for profit legal and human service organizations.

The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island coordinates a disaster planning and response coalition of government, nonprofit, and private sector partners who collaboratively address disasters on Long Island. This coalition, known as the Long Island Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (LIVOAD), was formed by HWCLI in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and has worked for almost two decades as an umbrella structure for disaster planning and recovery. This broad coalition is a local version of the National VOAD which is comprised of agencies working through Collaboration, Cooperation, Coordination, and Communication (4 C’s) to respond regionally.

The LIVOAD was officially activated by HWCLI to address the current COVID-19 global pandemic and has been holding bi-weekly convening calls with its partners as well as weekly calls with its subcommittees including: Domestic & Family Violence, Emergency Food, Behavioral Health, Philanthropy, and Legal Needs, which leadership from Touro Law runs. Providers and community members alike can find a clearinghouse of resources, updates, and information on its webpage: www.hwcli.com/covid-19.

The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island is a not for profit, health and human services planning, education, and advocacy organization that serves Long Island’s at-risk and vulnerable individuals and families.

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