| FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION |
WE PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY, WITH A DISABILITY, OR OVER AGE 60. WE ALSO SERVE ANYONE WHO IS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN HOUSING DECISIONS AND ALL WHO FACE CHALLENGES RELATED TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE OR SERVICES. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6 |
VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE UNPAID LAW CLERKS, HOUSING TESTERS, LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D |
(1) THE DISABILITY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICES RANGE FROM REPRESENTATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMBATING DISCRIMINATION, TO ASSURING ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES. TOTAL EXPENSES = 743,952. (2) THE MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROJECT REPRESENTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF VERMONTERS FACING LEGAL COMMITMENT TO VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OR COURT-ORDERED FORCED MEDICATION FOR PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 627,109 INCLUDING GRANTS OF 48,000. (3) THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROJECT ASSISTS RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES WITH QUALITY OF LIFE OR QUALITY OF CARE PROBLEMS. THE OMBUDSMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE WHO HELPS RESIDENTS RESOLVE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 588,315. (4) THE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAW PROJECT IS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT A FULL-SERVICE, COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM UNDER THE PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 292,790. (5) OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: THE LEGAL MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP IS A COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES DESIGNED TO ADDRESS LEGAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING PATIENTS' HEALTH. THE VOCA VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDS LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VERMONT, INCLUDING THOSE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC AND ELDER ABUSE AND VIOLATIONS OF DISABILITY PROTECTION LAWS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 305,578. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 4 |
THE VLA BYLAWS WERE AMENDED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 TO EXPAND VLA'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS: "IN ADDITION, THERE MAY BE SPECIFIC CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS OR DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY SPECIFIC GRANTS OR CONTRACTS THAT VLA RECEIVES- AND "IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD THAT SOME OR ALL OF THE TRUSTEES OF THIS CORPORATION MAY ALSO SERVE AS TRUSTEES OF ANOTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM. IN THIS CAPACITY, THESE TRUSTEES MAY BE CALLED UPON TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAMS AS A WHOLE IN FURTHERANCE OF THE LEGAL SERVICES MISSION. THESE DECISIONS MAY OF NECESSITY BE ADVERSE TO THE INTERESTS OF VLA. THE CORPORATION UNDERSTANDS THAT ITS TRUSTEES MAY BE CALLED UPON TO MAKE SUCH ADVERSE DECISIONS IN THEIR CAPACITY AS TRUSTEES OF THE OTHER CORPORATION AND AUTHORIZES THEM TO DO SO. THE CORPORATION WILL NOT CONSIDER SUCH ACTIONS TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH AND IN A MANNER THAT THE TRUSTEE REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE LEGAL SERVICES MISSION TO BE A VIOLATION OF THE TRUSTEE'S DUTY OF LOYALTY TO THE CORPORATION." |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B |
FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BEFORE IT IS FILED. A COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE TO THE WHOLE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C |
ALL BOARD MEMBERS SIGN AN INITIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM AND ARE THEREAFTER REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE BOARD WHEN NEW POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARISE. WHEN SUCH ISSUES ARE RAISED, THE BOARD REVIEWS THEM AND TAKES APPROPRIATE ACTION. THE POLICY IS PROVIDED TO, AND REVIEWED WITH, ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS WHO THEN SIGN THEIR OWN FORMS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A |
CONSIDERATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS CONSIDERED AT THE SAME TIME AS CHANGES TO THE STAFF COMPENSATION PLAN. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD REVIEWS RELEVANT COMPENSATION DATA FROM OTHER LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS DATA ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION OF NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SIMILAR-SIZED ORGANIZATION IN VERMONT. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL BOARD AND THE BOARD DISCUSSES THE PROPOSAL AND DECIDES ON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION. FOR THE DURATION OF THE TWO OR THREE YEAR COMPENSATION PLAN, THE BOARD CONSIDERS WHETHER OR NOT TO GIVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AT ITS SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING EACH YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B |
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PLAN WHICH INCLUDES DEFINED PAY GRADES FOR ALL STAFF LEVELS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 |
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST AT VERMONT LEGAL AID'S OFFICE IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT. |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G |
PROFESSIONAL SVCS - PLP 173,999 0 0 PROFESSIONAL SVCS - HCOP 104,804 0 0 PROFESSIONAL SVCS - ELP 88,648 0 0 PROFESSIONAL SVCS - OTHER 329,378 0 0 PROFESSIONAL SVCS - SUPPORT 0 28,177 0 TOTAL 696,829 28,177 0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.