By that we mean that technology at NWLS is always being revised, updated or adapted to meet the needs of both our client community, and the professional staff that provides legal services to these individuals and families. We constantly strive to increase the level of functionality our technology presents to our end users, as well as the way it improves the day-to-day operations of our organization.

The NWLS Web site (www.nwls.org) is a perfect example of technology as a “work in progress.” Although our Web site has been online for over five years, our webmaster is constantly updating information contained on the Web pages, and she is envisioning new ways that the Internet can be used by client-eligible individuals to enhance the quality of their lives. Links to numerous government agencies such as the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW) enable people to download basic forms for food stamps and cash assistance. Other resources on our Web site for the client community include a wide array of materials available through PaLawHelp.org.

Client resource rooms at all of our staffed offices enable individuals to access civil legal information on the Internet while they wait for their scheduled appointments with NWLS law workers. Our co-director of technology in the Erie office also does trainings at public housing projects and social service agencies for individuals just getting started with personal computers and the Internet.

In 2004 NWLS also invested time and energy into our case management software (Kemp’s Clients for Windows) used by all of our law workers in order to streamline data collection efforts that are mandated by our funding organizations. Our staff attorneys also began filing bankruptcy petitions online with federal bankruptcy courts.

Technology, however, is not so much focused on the past, as it is the future.

We envision the day when many types of court filings on the local (county) level will be accepted online, and even when potential clients at NWLS can request civil legal services via an online application process. Although these days are still in front of us, it is clear that the technology exists to make it happen.

No matter what the future may bring, our commitment is to the clients we serve, and to integrate appropriate technology within our service delivery system whenever it makes sense to do so.

That is our pledge to the people who look to us for help.