Joseph, 19, suffers from a traumatic brain injury that changed his life. When he was hit by a car at age 16, Joseph went from being a healthy, independent teenager to needing around-the-clock-care. Joseph's mother, Ellen could not return to work after the accident because she had to care for him at home, with the help of home health nurses and aides. The home care hours Joseph was receiving were critical to his safety and well-being and allowed Ellen, a single mother, to look after her 10-year-old daughter as well. The family eventually found a routine that worked for them. They were shocked and worried when they received a notice that the home health aide hours covered by their Medical Assistance plan would drop from 16 hours per day down to just 6-certainly not enough for Ellen to provide ample care and attention to both children and find time to sleep herself.

Ellen filed a grievance with Joseph's Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) and lost. After filing another grievance, she came to CLS for representation. Brenda Marrero from CLS' Aging and Disabilities Unit tackled Joseph's case. She knew she would have to prove two points: that Joseph's condition had not improved since the time that he was approved for 16 hours of home health aide services; and that Ellen, the only other caregiver, could not possibly take care of her young daughter-on top of meeting her other day-to-day parental responsibilities in the home-with just 6 hours of home health aide services for Joseph.

Brenda worked diligently to build the case. She consulted with Joseph's doctor to establish his level of care needs. Brenda also visited Joseph and Ellen at home to gain a better understanding of Joseph's condition and the challenges it imposed. At the second-level grievance hearing, Brenda presented the case and won. As a result, Joseph continues to receive the in-home support and services he needs to stay safe and healthy, and Ellen is able to care for her whole family.

• The City of Philadelphia and the First Judicial District announced their decision to end counterproductive attempts to collect old bail judgments. On behalf of our clients, CLS commendes the Nutter Administration and the First Judicial District for this decision.

• On October 28th, CLS will hold a training on Medicaid expansion and other changes coming to Medicaid. This training will cover issues such as new Medicaid eligibility, people being shifted into different health plans, and benefits cuts. Click here to learn more or to RSVP.

• CLS attorney Janet Ginzberg had a letter published in the Philadelphia Inquirer about how recent legal changes in Pennsylvania could land parents on the child-abuse registry in cases where an injury is accidental or even in cases where no injury occurs. As Janet's letter says, due-process protections for parents accused of abuse must be tightened in order to protect innocent people.

• As a result of coordinated advocacy between CLS and Regional Housing Legal Services, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) worked to increase legal protections for Low Income Housing Tax Credit residents in Pennsylvania.

• This month, Mayor Nutter signed an ordinance on marijuana decriminalization. He also announced an increased collaboration with CLS, which will provide us with $100,000 to aid our expungement work. CLS Executive Director Cathy Carr was on hand for the signing of the bill, and praised the City for providing funding for expungement services.