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              Justice for Montanans AmeriCorps Evaluation Report
      Back
                The Justice For Montanans (JFM) program, an AmeriCorps program administered by Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA), empowers low- to moderate-income people to advocate for their legal rights and increases access to justice by providing legal information and other services free of charge.**Study Goals**:The goal of this study is to determine:Whether the legal information, resources and referrals provided by JFM members to low- and moderate-income Montanans achieve the articulated outcomes of the program.Whether the program is implemented effectively and in a manner that enhances the likelihood of producing the desired outcomes for low- and moderate-income Montanans.**Research Questions**:The evaluation asked survey questions directly to consumers, JFM AmeriCorps Members, and partner site supervisors' questions. The survey questions include:Consumers:As a result of services received from a JFM member, did you gain knowledge of the legal system?As a result of services received from a JFM member, do you understand your legal rights and what you could do?As a result of services received from a JFM member, do you feel more prepared to handle your legal problem?If there was something to do, did you take action to resolve your legal problem?JFM AmeriCorps Members:Does JFM positively impact low to moderate income Montanans?Do you feel you help Montanans gain knowledge of the legal system?Do you feel you help Montanans understand their legal rights and what they can do next?How has this experience contributed to your personal and professional growth?What is the greatest strength of the JFM program? The most obvious weakness?Is there anything else you’d like to add or comment on?Partner Site Supervisors:Does JFM positively impact low to moderate income Montanans?Does JFM help Montanans gain knowledge of the legal system?Do JFM members help Montanans understand their legal rights and what they can do next?Do JFM members serve as an asset to your organization?**Findings:**The evaluation found the following:The JFM program goals of empowering low- to moderate-income people to advocate for their legal rights and obtain increased access to justice have been met.In the two-year evaluation period, the program has resulted in 77,908 low- to moderate-income Montanans with legal needs served.The majority of users from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2019 were new visitors and all JFM members guide individuals to the appropriate information and forms for their civil legal issue as the base level of assistance.Survey responses over the evaluation period show that 80% of members and 92% of partners strongly agreed that the program positively impacts low to moderate income Montanans, 50% of members and 69% of partners strongly agreed the program helped legal consumers gain knowledge of the legal system, and 48% of members agreed and 58% of partners strongly agreed that the program helped legal consumers understand their legal rights and what they could do next.JFM partner site supervisors were asked if they agreed or disagreed whether JFM members are assets to their organizations; 88% of partners strongly agreed that the JFM members are assets to their organizations.For more information, download the full report.

      Full report
      

      Full Report
            MontanaLegalServices.20ES220455.Report-Revised_508.pdf
        Further information
    



      Program/Intervention
                        Justice for Montanans (JFM) Program
  

      Implementing Organization
                        Montana Legal Services Association
  

      Intermediary(s)
                        Montana Legal Services Association
  

      AmeriCorps Program(s)
            AmeriCorps State and National
  

      Age(s) Studied
            18-25 (Young adult)
                  26-55 (Adult)
                  55+ (Older adult)
  

      Focus Population(s)/Community(s)
            Low Income
  

      Study Type(s)
            Outcomes
  

      Study Design(s)
            Non-Experimental
  

      Level of Evidence
            Moderate
  

      Researcher/Evaluator
                        Christine Mandiloff
  

      Published Year
                        2019
  

      Study Site Location (State)
            Montana Back to main content Sign up to hear about our latest news, events, and opportunities.
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