All AmeriCorps Programs have a set of Performance Measures (PMs) to demonstrate impact. These PMs are the basis of our reports to the Corporation for National and Community Service and Congress, and they outline the data AmeriCorps Fellows should track day to day.

• AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Performance Measures

• Recovery Act Fellow Performance Measures

AmeriCorps Legal Fellowship Performance Measures  

Lawyer and Law Student Volunteer Generation

36 AmeriCorps Fellows will increase the number and range of public service opportunities for volunteer law students and lawyers and will recruit volunteer law students and lawyers for these opportunities.

• AmeriCorps Fellows will create opportunities for 3,000 volunteer law students and lawyers to engage in public service.
• 36 AmeriCorps Legal Fellows will engage at least 1,000 pro bono lawyers to provide legal services to people in need.
• AmeriCorps Fellows will engage 2,000 law students in meaningful volunteer opportunities and 90% will indicate that the experience was positive and 80% will indicate a willingness to volunteer again in the future and 50% of these students will be more likely to consider pursuing a full-time public interest career path as a result of their volunteer experience.

Legal Assistance

36 AmeriCorps Fellows and their volunteer law students will increase the number of low-income clients who receive direct legal assistance such as advice and full representation. In addition, AmeriCorps Fellows will collaborate with community organizations to run legal clinics, expand capacity and serve clients.

• 36 AmeriCorps Fellows and their volunteer lawyers and law students will increase the number of low-income clients who receive direct legal assistance such as advice and full representation. For each year of the grant, AmeriCorps Fellows and volunteer law students will represent a total of 25,000 clients on pressing legal matters.
• 36 AmeriCorps Fellows and their volunteer law students will present information to 400 community based organizations and participate in community or agency coalitions and/or task forces to more effectively deliver service to low-income, underserved communities.

Member skill development

36 AmeriCorps Legal Fellows will gain practical legal skills and experience conducting intakes, interviewing clients, researching legal issues, writing legal materials, and/or representing clients in administrative and court proceedings.

• 90% of the 36 AmeriCorps Fellows will gain skills and experience in community collaboration, volunteer management, and on specific substantive legal issues required for their projects.

Recovery Act Performance Measures

Capture efforts to expand program and build capacity

30 AmeriCorps Recovery Fellows will recruit 545 community volunteers to address needs in their communities.

Equal Justice Works will also report on the number of:

• collaborations that occurred between host site and community-based organizations
• clinics held
• additional clients served at clinics
• volunteer law students recruited
• volunteer lawyers recruited
• other volunteers recruited 

Provision of Legal Services, Advice or Referrals 

30 AmeriCorps Recovery Fellows will provide 5500 clients with services related to home foreclosures and housing assistance programs.

Equal Justice Works will also report on the number of: 

• clients receiving assistance related to financial planning;
• clients receiving (non-foreclosure related) assistance with housing issues;
• homeless individuals transitioned into affordable housing;
• clients receiving information on health insurance, health care access and health benefits programs;
• clients enrolled in health insurance and health benefits programs;

Foreclosure Defense

30 AmeriCorps Recovery Fellows will enable 1105 clients  to remain in their housing.

Equal Justice Works will also report on the number of:  

• cases opened during reporting period
• cases closed during reporting period
• cases remaining open at end of reporting period
• reasons for non-acceptance insufficient legal merit
• conflicts of interest
• clients ineligible for program services
• clients turned away because if insufficient program resources
• referrals to another organization or agency
• referrals to housing/foreclosure counseling agency
• brief Services & limited actions
• investigations of facts
• clients provided with legal information
• clients assistanted with pro se answer and/or other documents
• referrals to pro bono attorney
• clients receiving extended services
• loan modifications
• negotiated agreements for additional time to move
• short sales or to sell the house in order to satisfy mortgage
• full representations
• actions in court or administrative agency
• ongoing litigation matters
• affirmative litigation matters
• bankruptcy action  matters

Foreclosure Defense: Results 

Equal Justice Works will also report on the number of:  

• default judgments Averted
• Extended occupancies to allow for transition to other housing
• instances of home equity retained/principal balance reduced
• favorable loan modifications
• reduced arrearages, fees or penalties
• bankruptcies obtained for relief through discharging debts
• bankruptcies obtained for relief through Ch 13 repayment plan