Trainings

This workshop explores the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) process and what it looks like when a petition is filed. CRA cases occur when a families or school officials ask the court to help supervise a child. Schools may file a CRA petition in juvenile court when a student has too many unexcused absences or has repeatedly broken school rules.

Participants in this training will learn about common myths and facts surrounding CRA petitions, the potential harms and unintended consequences of juvenile court involvement for children and families, and practical alternatives to filing a CRA. The session will provide resources and strategies that families, educators, and service providers can consider when a child needs additional support. The training will cover methods that address challenges children and families may be facing without resorting to court involvement.

Know your Rights: School Discipline: This training focuses on the basic rights that all students have when facing discipline methods that would exclude them from school. The training defines the different types of exclusionary discipline, the information schools are required to provide parents and students, the hearing process, and the appeals process. It also covers the additional rights that are given to students who have either IEPs or 504 plans.

Transition from School to Adult Life: Using the IEP to Create Success This workshop will address the transition planning and services required for youth with disabilities ages 14-22 and will focus on the transition services districts should provide to prepare youth for employment, independent living, and further education. Using case examples, parents and professionals will learn strategies that can help ensure students receive important transition services required by special education law. The workshop will also provide information about the transition to the adult human service system, including Chapter 688, the state law that helps plan for youth with disabilities after they leave school.

Special Education Law: Children with Autism This workshop provides an overview of specific special education requirements that address the unique needs of students with autism. This workshop addresses current trends, legal standards, and evaluation rights. There will be a focus on law and strategies to help ensure children with autism receive the full range of instruction and services necessary to meet their unique needs, and to provide educational opportunities reflecting potential in inclusive settings.

Massachusetts Anti-bullying Law: IEP and Schoolwide Strategies to Prevent Bullying of Students with Disabilities This workshop will address best practice based on the state’s anti- bullying prevention law. The training focuses on laws that require both school-wide efforts to create safe and supportive school settings for students with disabilities and laws that require IEP Teams to address bullying of students with disabilities.

Basic Rights in Special Education This workshop will provide an overview of special education law and the supports and services school districts are required to provide so that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). This workshop addresses legal standards, the special education process, parent and student participation rights, and evaluation rights.

Navigating the Individualized Education Plan – IEP This workshop will help families and those working with students with disabilities understand the different sections of the IEP, and protections in the law that help ensure children receive necessary services. The workshop also includes discussion on how to prepare for the IEP meeting, how to respond to the IEP, the importance of the students’ voice, the importance of inclusion, the power of “stay put” as well as the role of assessments in the development of the IEP.

Education Rights of Immigrant and Multilingual Students: This workshop begins with discussion of education as a civil right in the United States, leading to discussion about language access rights of immigrant and multilingual students and parents, and equal access to school district programming regardless of immigration status, home language, or disability. Participants will be led through a participatory activity to further combat myths and reinforce knowledge gained from the workshop.

Special Education Rights of Immigrant and Multilingual Students: From special education referral and evaluations to the Team meeting process, participants will gain knowledge on what to look out for and how the effectively navigate the special education process for immigrant families. Participants will also learn common issues to look out for when supporting immigrant and multilingual students with disabilities and their families in the special education process.