Integrating Legal Services in Social Services Organizations: Strategies to Enhance Client Outcomes

This webinar is presented by Switchboard, a one-stop shop for refugee service providers in the United States. Learn more about Switchboard at www.SwitchboardTA.org. Hosted on August 27th, 2025, the training was delivered by Maria Laura Arabbo, MA, Executive Director, VECINA; Charlotte English, Staff Attorney, Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors (TNJFON); Ashley DiGiore, MA, DOJ-Accredited Representative, Immigration Legal Services Program Director, Westside Community Center; Alexandra Miller, JD, Senior Advisor, VECINA; and Mamadou Balde, Immigration Legal Service Program Manager, Catholic Charities of Central Texas. This roundtable is designed for individuals within nonprofit or resettlement organizations that have legal service departments or that could benefit from legal service departments, as well as legal service providers that partner with social services organizations. In particular, this session will benefit attorneys, managers, caseworkers, and individuals in other roles who are interested in better navigating collaboration between legal and social service teams to improve organizational impact on the communities you serve. By the end of this webinar, you will be able to: Identify the benefits and challenges of embedding legal service programs within organizations with broader community mandates Explain solutions to key challenges that legal departments may face when operating alongside other refugee service programs Apply key takeaways on ethical communication, referral coordination, role clarity, and organizational support when embedding legal services within social service teams