PWE2 - Integrating Legal Supports into Multidisciplinary Care at Community Health Centers

Session Description: Community health centers increasingly rely on multidisciplinary care teams to address the complex medical and social needs of their patients. However, many health-related barriers—such as unsafe housing and loss of income—require legal expertise that is missing from traditional care models. This session will explore how to operationalize a multidisciplinary team model that includes legal supports, using a medical-legal partnership (MLP) approach to improve patient outcomes and care coordination.

Designed for clinical leaders and care team members, this session will provide practical guidance on embedding legal professionals within care teams and aligning their work with clinical priorities. Participants will gain understanding how care teams can identify health-harming legal needs, prioritize team time and workflows for legal collaboration, and foster effective partnerships across disciplines. The session will also address key considerations for financing and sustaining this expanded model of care.

Real-world case examples from community health centers will illustrate how legal supports can reduce provider burden, enhance whole-person care, and advance health fairness. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to bring legal services into clinical spaces and strengthen their team-based approach to care.