Tucson Family Advocacy Program

The Tucson Family Advocacy Program (TFAP) is a multidisciplinary partnership of healthcare providers and lawyers working together to improve the health and wellbeing of low-income patients and their families. Physicians recognize the effect of factors such as unsafe housing and inadequate access to healthcare on the health of vulnerable patients, but do not have the skills or resources to address these problems alone.  To optimize patient health, a team approach is required.
 
TFAP provides free legal services to low-income families in a primary care clinic staffed by Faculty and Residents of the University of Arizona Department of Family & Community Medicine. Within this medical setting, TFAP also teaches healthcare providers about legal issues that impact health and how they can become more effective advocates for their patients.
 
TFAP has helped over 500 patients with more than 1,000 legal matters since beginning services in October 2005.  Issues addressed include a wide range of civil matters affecting health including disability benefits, housing conditions, Medicaid, consumer law, advance directives and domestic violence. By combining the unique strengths of multiple professions -- law, medicine and social work--, TFAP helps families obtain the services they need to prevent or resolve crises that undermine health.