IMP LEMENTATIO N (and interpreter). It also further complicates the process of getting the necessary information to address the case. Consulting the documents clients bring with them and checking with other sources such as civil status offices can be necessary to ascertain client information and get a more complete sense of the case. 8.5 Determining Case Action RELATED RESOURCE Interpreters must be trained on the same topics, skills, and ethical obligations as paralegals. For information on community-based interpreter programs, see: • Community Interpreter Program, Refugee Rights Toolkit, Asylum Access Once the paralegal has listened to a client and helped identify the problem, he or she must decide, along with the client, what to do next. Most cases can be addressed in a variety of ways. In addition to the client’s profile and preferences and the nature of the issue, the safety context will influence action. Screening policies, discussed earlier, may also determine when to apply the more resource-intensive strategies for assisting clients, such as accompaniment and support with fees, and when to limit the paralegal’s intervention to just sharing information.  ee 8.3 Prioritizing Effectively for how to guide paralegals in making S choices about case strategies prior to intake. Whichever action a project takes, empowerment should be a guide. Paralegals should not do what clients could do for themselves, and should give clients as much information and support as possible so that they can resolve their cases by themselves. A key element of this can be offering emotional support: paralegals should listen and provide empathy, and refer those in need to professional psychological support where possible.  or more information on how to put this into practice, see 1.3 F Assistance that Empowers Individuals and Communities. Examples of strategies paralegals might apply include: • Information-sharing, advice-giving, consultations. All strategies include this, but in some cases it may be the only service paralegals provide. •A  ccompaniment, facilitation, support. This goes beyond providing information, but the client still takes the lead, with paralegal support. It might include: — Demonstrating the steps involved, then the client takes the lead. —B  eing present and answering questions or giving advice when clients fill in forms and submit applications or write to authorities or service-providers. — Paying fees that the client cannot. — Accompanying clients to government or service-providers’ offices. — Setting up or attending clients’ meetings with officials. —F  ollowing up on applications in person. This frequently makes sense when a client has difficulty traveling to the relevant government office. •A  dvocacy. This involves meeting with government officials to seek a particular outcome. It might involve: 98 | A C O M M U N I T Y- B A S E D P R A C T I T I O N E R ’ S G U I D E : D O C U M E N T I N G C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D OT H E R F O R M S O F L E G A L I D E N T I T Y