Advocacy News: December 2003

A2Z helps parents obtain special education services for their children. A2Z won a Due Process Hearing against Burbank Unified School District after a 6-day due process hearing

Introducing our latest program – P. A. L.
(Parent Advisory Liaison)
Next PAL training the end of January Click here for more info

"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

Autism conference: Journey to Solutions 2003

Regarding my experience in the Super Sensory Workshop at the Autism Conference - By Carolina D. Watts, Attorney at Law

Overwhelmed
 
I smell
Burlap, sweet and dusty, like old hay;
Sandalwood, jasmine, and cedar
Burning as harsh incense;
Pink rose petal candles;
Musk perfume of the person next to me;
Lotion on my hands.
 
If I just sit here quietly…If I hold my
body tense…
If I don’t move or talk…click here read the rest
 

Family Participation Fund The California Department of Education is committed to helping family members voice their opinions about education policy. Through the State Improvement Grant, the Department established the Family Participation Fund to provide financial assistance to families. The Fund assists families who do not have any other agency support, to become active members of decision-making committees, task forces and other policy-making bodies. Check our message board for up to the minute interactive dialogue with parents and professionals

SN03-#####: A2Z negotiated a confidential settlement agreement with a large school district, involving a 11 year old student with autism. The settlement provides for reimbursement for private placement for part of the 2003 school year and prospective placement at the private school for the 2003-2004 school year. The private placement will be stay put. The settlement also includes DIS services to be provided at the private school site. Parents were reimbursed for all out of pocket expenses, including assessments and attorney’s fees.

SN02-#####: A2Z negotiated a confidential settlement agreement with LAUSD local district D, involving a 6th grade middle school student with SLD, originally a student at Topanga Elementary. The settlement provides for placement at Westmark with all appropriate services and reimbursement for attorney’s fees.

SN03-01451 v. Burbank Unified School District: A2Z won a Due Process Hearing against Burbank Unified School District after a 6-day due process hearing, which concluded on September 29, 2003. At issue was the appropriateness of the District’s offer of placement and services for a high school student with Asperger’s Syndrome. The student has significant social and emotional needs related to the student’s disability, and has had increased anxiety related to the pressures of attending a large public high school. The parents prevailed on all issues. The Hearing Officer held that BUSD failed to offer a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for the student for both ESY and the 2003-2004 school year. Specifically, the decision found that the district’s placement was not designed to meet the student’s unique needs in the areas of social skills and behavior and did not address the student’s anxiety or stress. The Hearing Officer also found that the program was not reasonably calculated to provide an educational benefit, noting that “appropriate social skills and behavior are essential in order for a student to benefit educationally.” On the LRE issue, the Hearing Officer found that the student needed a small, structured program in a safe environment and that the proposed placement was therefore not restrictive enough. The decision ordered reimbursement to the parents for all costs related to their unilateral placement of the student at Village Glen, which the Hearing Officer found to be an appropriate program to address the student’s needs. Further, the Hearing Officer ordered prospective placement at Village Glen for the remainder of the school year. Read the DECISION...

OAH#######: A2Z negotiated a confidential settlement with a local regional center. The case involved specialized supervision hours, respite hours and reimbursement for camp.

OAH#####: A2Z negotiated a confidential settlement with a local regional center. The agreement provides for extensive services for a 3 year old with autism, to include OT and gym services. Reimbursement for services that were previously approved was also included.

In The Works: A2Z joins forces with Pepperdine University's special education advocacy clinic...

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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