Free CLE Training Opportunity!

HYLA’s Special Education Committee and Advocacy, Inc. Present:

Training Attorneys to Assist with Special Education Advocacy

September 18, 2010 United Way Building 50 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007

To attend, please email Sarah Bellinger at sbellinger@advocacyinc.org

The purpose of this training is to provide concrete, skill based training to attorneys interested in volunteering in Advocacy, Inc.’s Special Education Clinic. During the Clinic, attorneys will meet individually with parents of special education students. They will be responsible for educating these parents about substantive topics within special education law, practical advocacy tips, and methods of resolving disputes under IDEA.

5.25 CLEs / .5 ethics

8:45 – 9:00            Registration, Distribution of Materials – Coffee and Breakfast provided

9:00 – 9:30            Introduction – Description of the Special Education Clinic, overview of Advocacy, Inc., and volunteer guidelines

9:30 - 10:45           Overview of Special Education Law – An overview of the substantive and procedural laws that apply to special education students and their parents, specifically, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1.25 hours)

10:45 - 11:00         Break

11:00 – 11:45        Understanding Evaluations – This presentation will focus on reading evaluations, as well as the purpose and significance of evaluations within special education law. (.75 hour)

11:45 – 12:30        ARDs and IEPs – This presentation will focus on Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The majority of special education advocacy occurs at ARD meetings; the IEP dictates what specialized services and placement the student will receive. (.75 hour)

12:30 – 12:45        Break and Pick Up Lunch – Attendees may either bring a lunch or purchase a boxed lunch for $5.00 at the training.

12:45 – 1:30          Working Lunch: Behavior and Discipline – Many special education students have behavior problems that are caused by their disability. Therefore, the discipline rules that apply to special education students are different than the rules that apply to non-disabled children in schools in order to prevent them from receiving unfair punishment for behaviors beyond their control. (.75 hour)

1:30 – 2:15            Soft Skills Advocacy and Top 10 Tips – The focus of this presentation is on alternative dispute resolution methods and working with school districts to achieve the best outcome for special education students when a disagreement arises. (.75 hour)

2:15 – 2:30            Break

2:30 – 3:30            Examples of Real Special Education Cases - Attendees will apply their newly acquired skills to real special education cases that have come through Advocacy, Inc.’s intake line. * Names and other identifying details of the client will be redacted or changed to protect the client’s identity.       (1 hour / .5 ethics)

3:30 – 4:00            Wrap-Up and Q&A

 Please notify us at least five (5) business days in advance if you need disability-related accommodations