Inviting All Fathers

INVITING ALL FATHERS:  The Fatherhood Collaborative is convening a “Community Forum on Fatherhood” at Mesa Community College on Thursday June 4, 2015 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. The evening will begin with a networking reception at 5:00 offering display tables with resources for fathers and light refreshments. At 6:00 a panel presentation will address the question: What are the challenges that men face in their role as fathers and what we can do in our communities to encourage and support increased father involvement?
Due to generous sponsorships, admission to this event is free and is open to parents, community members, social service providers, and community stakeholders. Joe Dana of Channel 12 will moderate the seven member panel discussion, followed by a Q and A session.
This event will cover 7 topic areas, in which guest speakers from each department will answer questions and cover concerns in dealing with the key topic.
Education
Legislation
US Military and veterans
Family Court Services
Department of Child Support Services
Department of Behavioral Health Services
Department of Corrections

We hope to see you there,
Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch

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

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

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 BISTÅ 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

Grandmaster Han’s www.gmhyounwha.com/grandmaster_han

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

How Safe Is the Schoolhouse? An Analysis of State Seclusion and Restraint Laws and Policies

The updated 2015 edition of How Safe Is the Schoolhouse? An Analysis of State Seclusion and Restraint Laws and Policies, written by Jessica Butler, has been published by the Autism National Committee. The purpose of the report is to describe and examine state restraint and seclusion statutes, regulations, rules, and policies/guidelines in effect as of March 2015. The report is available at How Safe Is the Schoolhouse?

Seclusion and restraint are highly dangerous interventions that have led to death, injury, and trauma in children. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) documented at least 20 stories of children who died in restraint, and other children have died and been injured in seclusion. Congressional bills providing comprehensive, mandatory protections have been led by Senator Tom Harkin and Congressman George Miller in prior Congresses, with the House bill being reintroduced in February 2015 by Congressman Bobby Scott and Congressman Don Beyer. But they have not become law, which means that parents have to look to their own state's laws.  

Arizona passed a law in 2013 permitting seclusion (referred to as "confinement" in the statute, A.R.S. Section 15-843, Pupil disciplinary proceedings, for threats of physical harm or in other situations with parental consent. Arizona does not have any law regulating restraint.

It is critical that parents be notified quickly of the use of restraint or seclusion so that they can watch for injuries, including concussions, hidden injuries, trauma, and to seek medical or psychological care.  Parents, if you know or suspect your child is being restrained and/or secluded, you should request an IEP meeting or 504 meeting to discuss positive behavior techniques as alternatives to restraint and seclusion.  Also, your child may need an FBA and BIP, or they have had an FBA and have a BIP in place, you may need to revise the BIP or have another FBA.

Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, a Special Education Law Firm

Extended School Year ("ESY")

Federal law requires each public agency (public school district and charter school) to ensure that extended school year ("ESY") services are available as necessary to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education (a "FAPE").  ESY must be provided if a child's IEP Team determines, on an individual basis, that the services are necessary for the provision of FAPE to the child.  
ESY services are provided during the summer and at no cost to the parents of the child.
In Arizona, ESY determinations are determined no later than 45 calendar days before the end of the school year.   
ESY must be individualized for the student, and thus the IEP Team should consider input from a variety of sources and allow parents to meaningfully participate.  Discussion of ESY takes places during an IEP meeting.  
Factors to be considered in determining whether a student ought to be provided ESY include whether the student regresses during school breaks (for example, does the child regress during fall break, winter break, spring break) and if so, does the rate of recoupment (how fast the child re-learns the information he or she lost during the breaks) require the child be provided services during at least part of the summer so as not to fall so far behind if he or she is not provided services?  Another factor to be considered for ESY is whether the student is at a critical learning stage such that he or she needs to be provided services so that he or she does not lose out on the learning?
Tip for parents:  If the IEP Team last discussed and made a decision about ESY during the earlier part of the school year, the decision may need to be revisited.  You may request an IEP meeting to discuss ESY and revisit the ESY decision.  Do so in the spring, and before 45 days before the end of the school year. 
Parents should also ensure that the ESY program provided is the same as the ESY program that was discussed and described. 

Arizona's Special Education Lawyers

DDD and SSI Appeals

No does not always mean No

At least when it comes to a No from DDD or SSI.

Don’t take No for an answer.  If your child is denied eligibility for DDD or SSI, you still may be entitled to services and/or benefits.

Review the requirements for eligibility and appeal pursuant to their procedures.  Adhere to the timelines and provide the necessary documentation.

Even if told No a second time, appeal again if you believe your child fits the description for which they should be eligible for benefits and/or services.
www.azspecialeducationlawyers.com