Thursday, April 30, 2015

What is Prior Written Notice ("PWN")?

Prior written notice ("PWN") is notice that public schools and charter schools must give to the parents of a child with an IEP within a reasonable time before the school changes, or refuses to change, the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or changes the provision of FAPE to the child. The PWN must provide information sufficient to explain exactly what is being proposed or refused, the date when this change will become effective, the reasons why the school is taking the action, and what other options were considered.  The PWN is sent AFTER the school or IEP team offers a proposal and before the action will be implemented, of after the refusal to take the action.  Schools and parents are oten confused by the timing of prior written notice because of the word "prior." she said. If the PWN is sent before the school gathers parent input, it may show predetermination, which is not prohibited because parents are part of IEP Teams and thus team decisions.
AZ Special Education Lawyers

Monday, April 20, 2015

Seminar - Arizona Special Education Law

Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch attorneys Lori Kirsch-Goodwin and Hope Kirsch will be presenting at an upcoming seminar, Arizona Special Education Law.

With the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, professionals working with students with special needs know that an understanding of special education law is crucial.  This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the special education laws to help parents and school professionals deal with complex questions that arise.  Who pays when a special needs child is placed in private schooling at the parents' election? How can a school create the least restrictive environment and promote inclusion to the best interests of all students?
  • Strengthen your knowledge of how recent special education legislation affects school policies and operation.
  • Learn the legal protection offered by the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
  • Learn about disciplinary actions for students with disabilities.
  • Understand the rights of special needs students and their parents.

Who Should Attend

This basic-to-intermediate level seminar is designed specifically for professionals who work with children with special needs in a school setting. Those who should attend include:
  • School Administrators
  • Superintendents
  • Board Members
  • Principals
  • Teachers
  • Attorneys

Course Content

  1. Establishing the Framework of Special Education Law
  2. Unraveling the Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  3. Ethics in Special Education Law
  4. Successfully Handling Disciplinary Actions for Special Needs Students
  5. Ensuring Successful Due Process Procedures
  6. Protecting the Rights of Children with Special Needs
Register here for the seminar in Flagstaff, AZ on May 12, 2015
Register here for the seminar in Phoenix, AZ on May 13, 2015

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Autism Resources



Arizona Autism United  www.azaunited.org


Autism Society of Greater Phoenix   www.phxautism.org
Autism Society of Greater Tucson    www.autismsocietygreatertucson.org
Autism Speaks     www.autismspeaks.org
Advanced Training Solutions   www.advancedtrainingsolutions.com
Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis www.azaba.org
Arizona B.E.A.C.O.N.    www.azbeacon.com
Arizona Cooperative Therapies www.azcooperativetherapies.org
AZ ASSIST         www.azassist.com
AZA United        www.azaunited.org
Behavioral Consultation Services of Northern Arizona  www.behavioraz.com
Bell Family, LLC  www.bellfamilyllc.com
The BISTÃ… Center  www.thebistacenter.org
Building Bridges for Autism   www.buildingbridgesforautism.com
Dads 4 Special Kids     www.dads4specialkids.org
Devereux Arizona  www.devereuxaz.org
Feeding Matters   www.feedingmatters.org
Firefighters vs Autism  www.firefightersvsautism.org
Flip Dunk Sports  www.flipdunksports.com
Guthrie Mainstream      www.guthriemainstream.org
Hacienda Healthcare     www.haciendahealthcare.org/
Highland Behavioral     www.highlandbehavioral.com
HOPE Group, LLC   www.hopegroupaz.com
Independent Living Experience www.independentlivingexperience.com/
Kids with Autism Can    www.kidswithautismcan.org
Kidscope, LLC     www.kidscopeaz.org
Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC     www.azspecialeducationlawyers.com
Lauren’s Institute For Education (L.I.F.E.)     www.laurensinstitute.com
Liberty Center for Language & Learning, LLC     www.libertycentertucson.org
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)                  www.nasddds.org/index.shtml
Northern Arizona University, Institute for Human Development      www.nau.edu/sbs/ihd/
Play ABA          www.play-aba.com
PlayAbility Toys  www.playabilitytoys.com
Positive ABA      www.positiveaba.org
Positive Pursuits ABA Tucson  www.positivepursuitsaba.com/
Providence of Arizona   www.provcorp.com/Locations/Arizona.asp/a>
Provider Search   www.providersearch.com
Raising Special Kids    www.raisingspecialkids.org
ResCare HomeCare  www.rescare.com
RISE              www.riseinc.net
S.E.E.K. Arizona  www.seekarizona.org
SARRC             www.autismcenter.org
Sensory Goods     www.sensorygoods.com
Solomon Pediatric Dental      www.solomonpediatricdental.com
Southwest Human Development   www.swhd.org
Square One        www.squareonenonprofit.org
STARS             www.starsaz.org
Trumpet Behavioral Health     www.tbh.com
Touchstone Behavioral Health  www.touchstonebh.org
Tucson Alliance for Autism    www.tucsonallianceforautism.com
UCP of Central Arizona  www.ucpofcentralaz.org
Youth Evaluation and Treatment Centers    www.yetc.org