Special Projects

Home
Helpful Links
Special Projects
News
Employment
Current Litigation
In the News!
Contact Us!
Donate to FLSNY

Farmworker Legal Services of New York, Inc. (FLSNY) is a not-for-profit corporation providing free legal services and legal education to New York's agricultural workers. FLSNY's lawyers and paralegals provide a wide range of legal advocacy on behalf of farm workers. FLSNY seeks to assure that agricultural employers and housing providers in New York and nationwide comply with the law, that government entities respect farm workers' civil rights, and that the public is educated about farm worker rights under existing laws and the exclusions from existing labor laws that protect other types of workers

Special Projects
Domestic Violence This project is funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. FLSNY staff conducts outreach to farm workers who are victims of domestic violence. If the victim requests assistance, FLSNY refers her to the appropriate social services and legal services organizations. FLSNY is responsible for overseeing this project in its entirety, including allocating funds to the various cooperating organizations and agencies.
Human Trafficking Project This project is funded with grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. FLSNY staff conducts outreach to farm workers who are possible victims of trafficking and educates them on their rights. If the victim requests assistance, FLSNY refers him/her to the appropriate social services and legal services organizations and helps the client navigate the often unfamiliar world of law enforcement and service providers.
Pesticide Education and Exposure FLSNY receives a grant from the New York Department of Labor to educate farm workers about how to recognize and avoid pesticide exposure. Every year, FLSNY staff educates thousands of farm workers about the dangers of pesticides and how to avoid or minimize exposure to themselves and their families. FLSNY also teaches farm workers about the symptoms of pesticide exposure, the steps they should follow if they think they have been exposed to pesticides, and what legal rights protect them in case of pesticide poisoning.
Racial Profiling Project FLSNY staff educate farm workers about their right to access public services and police protection without experiencing discriminatory treatment based on race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, and in many cases immigration status. FLSNY is developing a strategy, including possible testing, to develop evidence about the existence of discrimination at government agencies and by law enforcement. The evidence may be used in future litigation to advance civil rights in New York State.
Understanding Personal Finances This educational program is for rural workers who are unfamiliar with prices and the range of available consumer financial services in upstate New York. This program seeks to improve the knowledge of basic personal financial skills, reduce the costs for necessary banking services, assist in filing annual income tax returns, and verify eligibility requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The program fosters the belief that financial knowledge is economic power.
Workers' Compensation Project FLSNY staff educates farm worker health providers about the Workers' Compensation system. FLSNY initiates Workers' Compensation cases where needed and refers controverted claims to private counsel.

Special Projects

Domestic Violence

This project is funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. FLSNY staff conducts outreach to farm workers who are victims of domestic violence. If the victim requests assistance, FLSNY refers her to the appropriate social services and legal services organizations. FLSNY is responsible for overseeing this project in its entirety, including allocating funds to the various cooperating organizations and agencies.

Human Trafficking Project

This project is funded with grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. FLSNY staff conducts outreach to farm workers who are possible victims of trafficking and educates them on their rights. If the victim requests assistance, FLSNY refers him/her to the appropriate social services and legal services organizations and helps the client navigate the often unfamiliar world of law enforcement and service providers.

Pesticide Education and Exposure

FLSNY receives a grant from the New York Department of Labor to educate farm workers about how to recognize and avoid pesticide exposure. Every year, FLSNY staff educates thousands of farm workers about the dangers of pesticides and how to avoid or minimize exposure to themselves and their families. FLSNY also teaches farm workers about the symptoms of pesticide exposure, the steps they should follow if they think they have been exposed to pesticides, and what legal rights protect them in case of pesticide poisoning.

Racial Profiling Project

FLSNY staff educate farm workers about their right to access public services and police protection without experiencing discriminatory treatment based on race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, and in many cases immigration status. FLSNY is developing a strategy, including possible testing, to develop evidence about the existence of discrimination at government agencies and by law enforcement. The evidence may be used in future litigation to advance civil rights in New York State.

Understanding Personal Finances

This educational program is for rural workers who are unfamiliar with prices and the range of available consumer financial services in upstate New York. This program seeks to improve the knowledge of basic personal financial skills, reduce the costs for necessary banking services, assist in filing annual income tax returns, and verify eligibility requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The program fosters the belief that financial knowledge is economic power.

Workers' Compensation Project

FLSNY staff educates farm worker health providers about the Workers' Compensation system. FLSNY initiates Workers' Compensation cases where needed and refers controverted claims to private counsel.