OCS DCL-2023-09 MLP+ NOFO FY 2023

Office of Community Services

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#: OCS-DCL-2023-09

DATE: July 28, 2023

TO: OCS Grant Recipients, Partners, and Stakeholders

SUBJECT: OCS Announces the Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus (MLP+) Notice of Funding Opportunity

ATTACHMENT(S): N/A

Dear Colleagues,

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is excited to announce the availability of a brand-new funding opportunity — Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus (MLP+). The MLP+ Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was posted yesterday on grants.gov. Long-standing medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) (i.e., MLPs that have been established and in operation for at least five years) are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

MLP+ is the first-ever federally funded demonstration program for MLPs. MLP+ builds on the work of our Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) colleagues who have long recognized and supported the critical role of civil legal aid in promoting better health outcomes for families. MLP+ leverages the evidence-based model of MLPs and is structured to increase and enhance legal services and include a social service navigator in the multidisciplinary health and legal services team. Through this model, long-standing MLPs will expand and strengthen services to address the health harming legal and social needs of individuals and families with low incomes.

OCS looks forward to partnering with MLP+ grant recipients to accelerate access to concrete supports, address systemic inequities, ensure proper legal representation and access to the justice system, and mitigate barriers that preclude families from living healthy lives. Applications for MLP+ will be accepted through August 28, 2023. More information about the funding opportunity and how to apply can be found in the NOFO posting . 

OCS encourages our grant recipients and partners to share this announcement widely with your networks. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to lifting individuals, families, and communities out of poverty toward self-sufficiency.

/s/
Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services