prepare for the upcoming school year, Westmoreland County’s legal aid A free clinic in Greensburg focused on custody and school-related legal issues is being planned for Aug. 1 and participants can get private consultations with local attorneys volunteering their time.
Panelists will be on hand to discuss general information about the topics, which can include parent and guardian rights, truancy and special education.
“We thought this would be a perfect time to offer this resource,” said Meghann E. Mikluscak-Hewitt, pro bono manager with Summit Legal Aid.
The event is being hosted by Summit Legal Aid and the Westmoreland Bar Association. It is being directed toward Westmoreland County residents or those who have a child in a county school district, but anyone in Summit Legal Aid’s 10-county coverage area in Southwestern Pennsylvania could attend, Mikluscak-Hewitt said.
“We’re excited to offer this event to the community and we do hope the information is timely and it does help an individual that has a question,” said Kimberly Tarbell, development and communications director at Summit Legal Aid.
Custody is among the most common issues for which Summit Legal Aid provides help, but it can be interconnected with school-related legalities, too, Mikluscak-Hewitt said. Several private attorneys in the community who are volunteering to help at the clinic will be providing a bridge to help families and guardians navigate what can be emotionally-charged issues.
“It does allow us to serve more clients, or potential clients, in a day than we could otherwise,” she said.
A panel discussion with general information about rights and legal issues will be followed by one-on-one consultations with attorneys.
Anyone interested in attending the clinic Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westmoreland Bar Association at 100 N. Maple Ave. in Greensburg is asked to pre-register, though advance registration isn’t required.
To register online, visit summitlegal.org/upcoming-events. Registration also can be done by phone at 724-836-2211.
