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About the Center
Summary of
our mission and practices
The New Mexico Center on Law
and Poverty is a non-profit law firm and advocacy group with the
mission of addressing systemic issues that affect the poor. We
work to assure that the policies, laws and practices intended to
address the problems of those living in poverty are well designed and
are implemented legally, fairly and effectively.
The Center carries out
its mission in several ways with one common theme: to bring the voice
and perspective of low-income New Mexicans to processes which may
impact their lives, and from which they are often excluded.
In our work, we make use of various strategies and methods, including:
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We oversee
implementation of poverty law and programs and advocate for their
continuous improvement. Oftentimes, we advise and collaborate
with state agencies to improve their programs or practices.
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We
coordinate closely with client advocacy organizations that assist
people in accessing benefits so as to identify systemic problems or
areas which, if improved, could have a significant effect on benefits
recipients.
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We serve
as a resource of information for the state program administrators,
advocacy organizations, client advocates, policy-makers and others
concerning public benefits and other programs designed to assist
low-income people.
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When
legislation or administration of these programs runs counter to law, we
have the resources and experience to litigate.
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We provide
training for client advocates working to ensure that the system is
effective. The training keeps them current on law and program
matters that they need to know to best serve their clients. An example
of this is the Statewide Legal Services Conference the Center conducts
annually for New Mexico’s legal service providers.
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We monitor
legislation that could impact very low-income people. We educate
lawmakers about the potential impact of their proposals on the poor and
advocate for designing laws in the ways most supportive of the best
interests of the poor. |
To learn more about the Center, click on one of the following links:
Projects
and Activities
Select
Accomplishments of the Center
Center
Staff
Employment
Opportunities
Center
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Contact Us
Law Clerk Opportunities
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