Strength Through Partnership

Partnership in Action

Our Legal Aid Advisory Council continues to be a key source of insight and collaboration. Through our quarterly meetings, legal aid partners shared that they were seeing an increase in questions from unmarried parents seeking clarity on parental rights. In response, our team created a detailed, plain-language article outlining the rights and responsibilities of unmarried parents, helping families across the state understand what the law requires and how to take their next steps.

Statewide Systems + Local Impact

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles shared with us the common challenges Ohioans face under the new federal Real ID requirements, especially when documentation doesn’t perfectly match due to name changes, including those related to common-law marriage. We worked closely with the BMV to create a Real ID guide that helps residents understand which documents they need and how to resolve discrepancies before they arrive at a deputy registrar’s office.

We also continued our partnership with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, resulting in a streamlined online form assistant that helps parents request a review of their child support order. By simplifying this process, we are helping more families take the steps needed to manage and update their child support arrangements.

Looking Ahead with Technology & Innovation

Innovation is strongest when built together. This year, we made significant progress on several AI-powered tools that will launch in early 2026, including a driver’s license reinstatement assistant and a landlord-tenant letter assistant.

These new tools will support users who may include more information than necessary, struggle with grammar, or simply need help organizing their thoughts. The model will suggest clearer, appropriate language that users can accept, giving them a stronger, more effective letter to share with their landlord or take action to get back on the road.

None of this would be possible without our partners who help us build safe, accurate, and user-centered tools.

Growth, Reach, and Impact

Because of your support and the dedication of our partners, we expect to serve over 750,000 unique users this year, a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite our expertise for the good of Ohio families.

A major milestone this year was the launch of the Lorain County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court’s new Virtual Self-Help Center. This free, 24/7 online platform helps self-represented litigants understand and navigate the civil court system by offering:

• the ability to fill out, edit, save, and complete court forms online
• mobile-friendly access on phones, tablets, and computers
• local court information and guidance on filing documents
• information about next steps and  what to expect at a final hearing
• Spanish-language legal information to support Spanish-speaking families

By removing barriers to understanding the legal process, the new Virtual Self-Help Center is already making justice more accessible for Lorain County residents.

And in 2026, we will continue this momentum by launching a Nonprofit Justice Hub and expanding Virtual Self-Help Centers across the state, scaling our impact with intention and care.

Thank You

Thank you to our funders, partners, and community organizations for your continued collaboration. Your support makes it possible for Ohioans to find reliable information and take the next steps in addressing their legal needs. As we close out the year, we look forward to continuing our work together in 2026 and delivering clear, accessible resources that help people navigate important moments in their lives.