Advocacy
News: September 2003
About
Us
What
do you do when you discover your child has special needs? You're
shell-shocked, you're frightened, and you're wondering how this
could have happened to you. Where do you turn? How do
you begin the process of reorienting your life and learning
about things you never imagined you'd have to know? You're frustrated
and overwhelmed. This isn't the life you imagined, this isn't
the child you imagined. You feel isolated and unsure. How do
you move forward? How do you secure the educational and other
support services necessary to enable your child to progress
and succeed? Ask A2Z Educational Advocates. Each of us
has confronted these questions with our own children, as well
as with our clients. THIS IS WHO WE ARE; let us answer
your questions:
N
Jane DuBovy: When my son was diagnosed with
Autism at age 3, I was temporarily defeated. I didn't know what
to do or where to turn. I was lucky. Very quickly I plugged
into a supportive network that strengthened my resolve to give
my child the best opportunities available. My team developed
a therapeutic approach that has resulted in my child being mainstreamed
in the public school system. It wasn't easy. There were many
obstacles placed before me, including the passage of time. I
made full use of the expertise of my advocates. Based
on my team's success, along with my standing as an attorney,
I decided to become an advocate to fortify other parents in
their fight against a stagnant and overwhelming system
P.A.L.
(Parent Advocate Liason)
Next session Sept 20, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
"The
A2Z P.A.L. Program gave me the resources and confidence to meld
my life experiences into a successful career that works around
the rest of my life."
Jeri Suchand - single mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome
Introducing
our latest program – P. A. L. (Parent Advisory Liaison)
On April 5, 2003, A2Z Educational Advocates initiated PAL program.
The
program’s goal is to educate parents in the IEP process
towards achieving a more meaningful IEP..Our
next session will be in September 2003.
Participants in the program who complete the IEP training will
receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity to be
registered as a PAL on the A2Z website. As a PAL you would be
eligible to attend IEP meetings with other parents for a fee.
Parents would contact you directly to engage your services.
The suggested fee for a PAL at an IEP attendance could be as
much as $150.
The cost for the 3-hour program is $150. Payment for registration
is by credit card or check paid in advance. Seating is limited
so early registration is encouraged.
This will be a nuts and bolts program. You
will be taken through the IEP process, given practical tips
and resources to ensure that your IEP will reflect your best
for your child. Materials
will be handed out that will support your input into the actual
IEP meeting.
Parents and therapists working with special needs children,
who wish to take the program for their own personal education
are also encouraged to attend.
|
To
Register for the next PAL program scheduled Sept 20th
call 888-IDEA-ADA
|
Recent
Cases:
SN
03-00191 v. LAUSD: A2Z Educational Advocates negotiated a settlement
agreement against LAUSD. On May 27, 2003 a settlement agreement
was reached where LAUSD agreed to reimburse the parents of a
ninth grade student with a Specific Learning Disability for
private Educational Therapy. LAUSD agreed to pay for the services
of a one on one tutor the parent had to privately provide over
a one-year period. Attorneys’ fees were also reimbursed.
SN03-####:
A2Z Educational Advocates negotiated a confidential settlement
agreement with a small district in the Inland Empire on the
first day of Due Process. Following the settlement a five year
old with Autism will be fully included with a trained one on
one aide in a general education Kindergarten for half a day
and attend a First grade special day class for half a day. As
part of the settlement the District also agreed to provide the
parent with OT training and a three day TEACCH training to allow
the parent to assist the child in generalizing what is learned
in school to additional settings. The District also reimbursed
18 months of DTT services and attorneys’ fees, totaling
$25,500.
SN
03-00476 v. LAUSD: A2Z Educational Advocates concluded a six-day
Due Process hearing on June 27, 2003 against LAUSD. At issue
is the eligibility of a seven-year old student as a child with
a Specific Learning Disability. The child is highly intelligent
but is not achieving at his ability level, even with significant
support from his parents. This important case will address the
requirements of a district to assist highly intelligent children
who although achieving at “grade level” are not achieving
at their own ability level. The hearing officer’s decision
is expected within 45 days.
SN03-####:
A2Zeducational Advocates negotiated a confidential settlement
agreement during mediation with a local district south of Los
Angeles in a case involving a third grade student with Autism.
The settlement provides for a full day, trained, one-on-one
aide; inclusion for seventy-five minutes a day in a general
education classroom, to be increased as warranted; a Behavior
Intervention Case Manager to oversee the Behavior Intervention
Plan; DTT supervision; 10 hours of DTT services per week; an
Inclusion Specialist; compensatory Speech and Language Therapy;
access to the school environment on multiple days for private
assessments; a Recreational Therapy Assessment and IEP to implement
Recreational Therapy; and reimbursement for assessments and
services provided by the parents plus attorneys’ fees.
LET
US ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. Call 888 IDEA-ADA (888-4332-232),
or email us at inquiry@a2zedad.com
for more information.
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© 2003 A2Z Educational Adcocates. All rights reserved.
