Breakout I- Saturday March 4, 2017 · 10:45 AM-12:00 PM 

1.1 Making a Federal Case of It: Accessing Federal Courts to Protect Civil Rights Without Exhausting IDEA Remedies

Presenters: Sarah E. Zuba, Esq., and Catherine Merino Reisman, Esq.
Audience Category: Attorney
Audience Level:       Intermediate/Advanced

This session canvasses the state of the law on exhaustion of remedies and federal jurisdiction over claims against local education agencies under Section 504, the ADA, and other laws, and explores arguments to persuade Article III judges to hear and decide federal civil rights claims. The Sixth Circuit decision in Fry v. Napoleon Comm. Sch. and the Supreme Court briefing are used to help illustrate the issues. 

1.2 School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: Examining Impact in the Name of Choice

Presenters: Selene Almazan, Esq., and Denise Marshall, M.S.
Audience Category:     All
Audience Level:       All

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) released a leading-edge report, School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities: Examining Impact in the Name of Choice. The report provides an at-a-glance look at practices regarding the rights of students with disabilities in voucher states and sheds light on the pros and cons of programs through the eyes of parents and special education advocate attorneys who make decisions impacting children with disabilities every day.

1.3 Child Find: Legal and Policy Developments and Litigation Strategies

Presenters: Kym Davis Rogers, Esq., and Rachel Gandy
Audience Category:     All
Audience Level:        Intermediate

                                                                                 The IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 give students with disabilities the protections needed to succeed, however, keeping track of the most recent developments in litigation and policy can be challenging. This presentation provides legal and policy updates regarding the Child Find mandate of these statutes and offers advocacy tips to ensure that students with disabilities receive the required evaluations and services to which they are entitled.

1.4 What Does Parental Participation Really Mean? – A Guide for Parents at CSE Meetings

Presenters: Katherine Aquino-Melendez, Esq., and Kerry McGrath, Esq.
Audience Category:  Parent
 Audience Level:       Novice

                                                         As a parent of a special needs child, you have probably attended numerous Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings. You may have had questions, about the significance of your role at these meetings. How much does my opinion matter? What is the CSE required to consider at these meetings? At this session you will learn what it means when you hear “parents are mandatory members of the CSE,” and how you can be your child’s advocate at the next CSE meeting.
 

1.5 What Special Education Attorneys and Advocates Need to Know about Immigration Consequences of School Based Behaviors

Presenters: Constance R. Wannamaker, Esq., and Julia Longoria, Esq.
Audience Category: All
Audience Level: Intermediate/Advanced                                                                                    

Throughout the country court-involved youth face potential immigration consequences for behavior directly or indirectly related to their disability.  DRTx attorneys present potential problems that may arise for children here in the U.S. both with and without status, and discuss ways to avoid negative immigration consequences that may arise from disability related behaviors.  

1.6 Using Technology to Handle Student Records and Gain the Edge, from Intake through Hearing

Presenters: James M. Baron, Esq., M.Ed.
Audience Category: All
Audience Level: Novice/Intermediate

How you handle student records can make or break your case.  Technology can make the difference.  This session looks at how to use technology to work with student records to give parents, attorneys and advocates an edge at all stages of a case, from intake through hearing. 

1.7 Making Your Practice Thrive by Serving Low and Moderate Income Families

Presenters: Michael O’Connor, Esq. and Andrew K. Cuddy, Esq.
Audience Category: Attorney/Advocate
Audience Level: All                                                                                         

Many special education firms struggle financially and many attorneys are reluctant to enter this field of practice. At the same time many families without financial means are unable to afford the cost of legal representation.  In this session the presenters offer their experience in relying on the fee-shifting provision of the IDEA to build a robust and effective practice by emphasizing representation of low and moderate income clients.

1.8 Learning Through a Lens of Trauma

Presenters: Dina Cuervo, PhD, and Lauren Stevenson, Psy.D.
Audience Category: All
Audience Level: All

This presentation provides a brief overview of changes in the developing brain as a result of trauma and toxic stress, as well as an explanation of the way trauma changes the body and brain’s way of responding to stress. Manifestations of trauma at different stages of development to elucidate the impact on learning at that age are described.  Presenters compare and contrast the impact of past trauma and ongoing complex trauma, including bullying, as it relates to academic learning and achievement. Finally, recommendations for special education for a child impacted by a trauma history are provided.