Erika Kerber-Spitz

Founded in 1976, the Community Health Law Project is a statewide nonprofit advocacy and legal services organization. Originally designed to deliver legal and advocacy services to the increasing number of people with mental illness leaving institutions and living in the community during the late 1970s, CHLP has expanded its innovative service model to include people from nearly all disability groups–those with developmental disabilities, visual impairments, physical disabilities, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Today, the Community Health Law Project provides legal representation and advocacy services to low-income people with disabilities throughout the state. Its staff of 57 operates out of regional offices in Bloomfield, Elizabeth, Trenton, Eatontown, and Collingswood, an administration office in South Orange, and satellite offices in Atlantic, Hudson, Ocean, Salem, and Burlington counties. The organization is unique in that it specializes in services exclusively for people with disabilities, although its areas of expertise cover the entire range of civil law. Through negotiation, litigation and advocacy, the Community Health Law Project removes discriminatory barriers, protects rights and preserves independence and quality of life. In its 37 years, the Community Health Law Project has provided services to more than 75,000 individuals. Each year, CHLP helps nearly 5,000 NJ residents with disabilities through brief service and representation. Nearly forty percent of CHLP’s cases are Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income matters, with 95% of the appeals resulting in reversals of denials. The Community Health Law Project also educates thousands of practitioners of law, health and social work, as well as consumers and families, through conferences, special programs and its website, www.chlp.org.