NCJ Number
62696
Date Published
1979
Length
36 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) DIVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES (PSA) ARE DESCRIBED; COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ABA'S PSA DIVISION IS TO LEND GREATER FOCUS, VOICE, AND VISIBILITY TO THE ABA'S PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES. SIX COMMITTEES, FOUR INTERDISCIPLINARY COMMISSIONS, AND TWO MEMBERSHIP SECTIONS ARE SERVED BY THE DIVISION. THROUGH THESE UNITS, THE ABA STUDIES A VARIETY OF ISSUES AND FORMULATES REMEDIAL RESPONSES RANGING FROM POLICY POSITIONS THROUGH STUDY REPORTS, CLEARINGHOUSE EFFORTS, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, AND WORKING CONFERENCES. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE ADVANCED WITHIN THE DIVISION BY A SUPPORT STAFF OF 40 PERSONS AND AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF ALMOST $3 MILLION, MUCH OF WHICH IS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL AND PRIVATE FOUNDATION GRANTS. PSA'S COMMISSION ON THE MENTALLY DISABLED, CREATED IN 1973, REVIEWS EXISTING STUDIES ON THE SUBJECT OF MENTAL DISABILITY, UNDERTAKES PROGRAMS WHICH ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES IN THE MENTAL DISABILITY SYSTEM, AND DEVELOPS LIAISON WITH STATE AND LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS. THE COMMISSION ON MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY HAS STUDIED MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE AND HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL CARE, FACILITATE THE RESOLUTION OF CLAIMS, AND DECREASE THE COST OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE. THE SECTION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IS THE PSA'S LEADING PROPONENT IN MATTERS OF HUMAN LIBERTY. ADDITIONAL AREAS OF INTEREST TO THE PSA'S COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS INCLUDE CHILD ABUSE, ECONOMIC REGULATIONS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, WORLD ORDER, ENERGY, ELECTION REFORM, ENVIRONMENTAL HARM, JOBS FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, BAR ACTIVATION, AND THE ELDERLY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LWM)