Edmonton - An electronic directory that provides immediate access to information on law-related programs and services in the province is now available to Albertans 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

A-Link: Alberta's Law-related Information Network is a useful resource for Albertans, teachers, and service workers. It is designed to provide helpful information, from a user's perspective, and can be searched by organization, topic, and location.

"Albertans told us that they wanted increased access to information on justice-related programs and services," said Justice Minister Dave Hancock. "This directory will provide valuable assistance to users of the database in finding the information they need quickly and easily at any time, day or night."

The on-line database is the first of its kind in Canada. A-Link is set up to provide contact and program information in a diversity of areas. Among its many functions, the directory can assist a troubled teen to find the location of the nearest youth program, provide a mother with information on mediation services available in Alberta, or list specific websites for a user who is looking to find out more about Aboriginal initiatives in Alberta.

In addition, A-Link also helps users locate public legal education information. For example, directory users are able to get information about the Justice Education Speakers Centre-a resource designed for teachers who want to help their students learn more about the justice system through the expertise of a legal expert.

A-Link is a partnership project between Alberta Justice and the Legal Studies Program in the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta. The directory is hosted on the Access to Justice Network Alberta website www.acjnet.org/abhome, and is also available through the Alberta Justice homepage www.justice.gov.ab.ca.

The Legal Studies Program, with financial support from the Alberta Law Foundation, works collaboratively with other public legal educators to enhance public access to information about law and justice.

Backgrounder (attached)

Justice Web Site: http://www.justice.gov.ab.ca

Legal Studies Program: http://www.extension.ualberta.ca/lsp

Dave Hancock, Minister of Justice, (780) 427-2339

Michael Shields, Justice Communications, (780) 427-8530

Dr. Diane Rhyason, Associate Director, Legal Studies Program, (780) 492-5060

A-Link: Alberta's Law-related Information Network

 What is it?

A-Link:

• is an on-line directory of organizations that provides public legal education and information on justice-related programs and services in Alberta.
• is the first of its kind in Canada.
• currently accesses over 200 justice-related organizations and will continue to expand.
• will be kept up-to-date through member-only passwords provided to member organizations.
• is a cost-shared project between Alberta Justice and the Legal Studies Program, Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, and is hosted on the Access to Justice Network Alberta website.
• Alberta Justice contributed $3,000 to fund the project.

Who is it for?

• Albertans - The primary purpose of the directory is to make information about justice-related programs and services in the province easily accessible and available to Albertans.
• Public legal education program and service providers and teachers - Additionally, the directory will provide assistance to program and service staff in helping their clients, as well as make it easier for teachers to locate justice-related information and resources for their classrooms.

How does it work?

A search can be completed by using:

1. the name of an organization
2. the community area (based on 11 provincial court districts)
3. a keyword/topic search

A search will result in providing:

1. a general description of the organization
2. the programs and services provided
3. contact information such as telephone, fax, e-mail, and mail address
4. the organization's website (if available)

Why and how was it developed?

• The idea was suggested at the Justice Summit.
• Public legal education providers in Alberta confirmed the need and potential benefits.
• Initial data was compiled by Alberta Justice and the John Howard Society of Alberta.
• Collaboration between Alberta Justice and the Legal Studies Program completed the directory.

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