Jennifer Kye earned her J.D. in May 2014 from the University of Virginia School of Law. She has been at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) for the past year representing elderly and disabled clients in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases before the Social Security Administration and in federal court. Jennifer also advocates for improved access to services and benefits for clients with limited English proficiency.
While in law school, Jennifer interned with CLS’ Aging and Disabilities Unit, the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, the Legal Aid Justice Center’s Mental Health Law and Advocacy for the Elderly Clinics, and AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly. She also served as an executive editor for the Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law. Before law school, Jennifer worked in Washington, D.C. as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for two nonprofit organizations advocating for low-income, limited English proficient immigrants.
As a 2015-2016 Borchard Fellow, Jennifer will continue working at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. She will implement a three-part project focused on increasing vulnerable seniors’ access to Medicaid home and community-based services. Her project will include: (1) systemic advocacy at the state level to expand the availability and improve the delivery of these critically needed home-based services; (2) development of a self-help manual that will allow seniors to advocate for themselves in accessing services in their own homes; and (3) direct representation of low-income older adults in obtaining and keeping home-based services and supports.
