Unleashing the Power of ARPA Funds
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was passed by the US Government to address the extensive fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key initiatives under ARPA is the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program. With a whopping $350 billion allocation, this program aims to support state, local, and Tribal governments in their response to and recovery from the public health crisis[^1^].
These funds, commonly referred to as “ARPA funds,” are available to a wide range of businesses, institutions, and departments, including yours. However, awareness of this opportunity is limited. To shed light on the potential benefits, we present the on-demand webcast, “How to Modernize Your Government Legal Departments with ARPA Funds”[^2^].
Harnessing the Power of ARPA Funds
ARPA funds are under the administration of the U.S. Department of Treasury, following the implementation of regulations on April 1, 2022. The funds can be applied in four key areas:
- Replacing lost public sector revenue: Utilize the funds to maintain government services at pre-pandemic levels despite the revenue shortfall[^3^].
- Addressing public health and economic impacts: Support communities, households, small businesses, impacted industries, nonprofits, and the public sector in their recovery from the economic turmoil and health challenges inflicted by the pandemic[^3^].
- Providing premium pay for essential workers: Extend additional compensation to essential workers who bear the highest health risks due to their critical roles[^3^].
- Investing in infrastructure: Upgrade water, sewer, and broadband systems to improve people’s access to clean drinking water, support vital wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and ensure affordable broadband internet for all[^3^].
Understanding Your Department’s Challenges
According to a recent study conducted by Thomson Reuters, recruiting new talent remains the biggest hurdle faced by government legal departments, with a staggering 64% identifying it as their primary challenge[^4^]. How can you attract top-tier professionals? The American Bar Association offers valuable insights. Their study reveals that 44% of young lawyers consider remote work so essential that they would leave their current positions for better remote work options elsewhere[^5^].
To meet the aspirations of today’s legal talent, you need to offer flexibility. Making remote work a reality requires organizational commitment, an enabling structure, and the right technology[^6^]. Remote working technology encompasses more than just videoconferencing; it involves seamless access and collaboration on case files, ensuring availability, speed, security, and convenience, regardless of employees’ chosen workspaces[^6^].
Navigating Government Legal Department Trends
In addition to recruitment challenges, government legal departments face other pressing concerns. A staggering 75% anticipate increased workloads in the coming years, yet 83% report stagnant or reduced budgets. Shockingly, only 23% of these departments express high confidence in having the necessary tools and technology to fulfill their job duties[^7^].
Embracing new technology can serve as a panacea for many legal department challenges, making it a natural fit for investing ARPA funds[^8^].
The HighQ Advantage for Your Legal Department
HighQ presents a cloud-based solution exclusively tailored for legal professionals. Developed to address the most critical needs of the legal sector, HighQ has emerged as a trusted ally for thousands of lawyers[^9^]. This innovative platform streamlines various legal processes, including litigation matters, general legal tasks, and contract management[^9^].
HighQ delivers a suite of functionalities that are key to transforming your legal department:
- Legal request intake and matter management: HighQ automates and streamlines the matter intake process, ensuring all information is organized within a centralized repository. Gain full visibility into all matters handled by your legal department[^10^].
- Document management: Enjoy secure, single-location document storage, easily accessible and searchable from anywhere. Audit and version history provide a transparent record of all document-related activities[^11^].
- Public records and FOIA requests: HighQ simplifies the process with automated workflows. With a public-facing intake form, relevant information is seamlessly directed to the appropriate channels, streamlining collaboration and ensuring confidentiality when required[^12^].
- Document automation: HighQ empowers government agencies by simplifying the drafting and completion of frequently used agreements, policies, or notices. Save time, increase consistency, and eliminate human error with automated document generation[^13^].
Seizing the ARPA Opportunity
Investing ARPA funds in upgrading your technology tools can revolutionize your legal department. Not only will it enable you to deliver services more effectively, but it will also help attract new talent and create an environment where your existing employees can thrive[^14^]. Moreover, legal technology effectively addresses key post-pandemic challenges faced by government legal departments, such as addressing COVID-related court backlogs and providing incentives for worker retention[^14^].
HighQ is the ultimate solution that ticks all the boxes, empowering your department with efficient processes, enhanced public service, and time-saving tools that reduce workload and increase accuracy[^15^]. In a time of stagnant or reduced budgets, ARPA funding offers a lifeline for legal departments struggling to meet their obligations. There has never been a better time to invest in modern legal technology[^16^].
Act now, as the deadline to obligate funds is December 31, 2024, and expenditure must be completed by December 31, 2026[^17^]. For valuable insights on utilizing ARPA funds for your legal department, we invite you to watch our free on-demand webcast, “How to Modernize Your Government Legal Departments with ARPA Funds”[^18^].
Sources:
[^1^] U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
[^2^] Garrity Traina
[^3^] U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
[^4^] Thomson Reuters Study
[^5^] American Bar Association Study
[^6^] American Bar Association Study
[^7^] Thomson Reuters Study
[^8^] Thomson Reuters Study
[^9^] HighQ Website
[^10^] HighQ Website
[^11^] HighQ Website
[^12^] HighQ Website
[^13^] HighQ Website
[^14^] HighQ Website
[^15^] HighQ Website
[^16^] HighQ Website
[^17^] U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
[^18^] Garrity Traina
