Special Ed Advocacy Center

1935 S. Plum Grove Road, Private Mail Box 274 Palatine, IL 60067 Ph: 847-736-8286 Fax: 847-397-7011

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2004 SPECIAL ED ADVOCACY CENTER ANNUAL REPORT

2004 was the Special Ed Advocacy Center's 1st year as an institution dedicated to ensuring that children with disabilities in the Chicago area receive all appropriate educational services provided under law.

Between May 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004, the Special Ed Advocacy Center assisted 178 families by answering intake calls and representing parents and caregivers; conducted a dozen educational seminars at parent support group meetings, Centers for Independent Living and other disability groups; and attended numerous resource fairs for law students, teachers and the special needs community.

The Special Ed Advocacy Center's Executive Director, Ms. Jill M. Dressner, was the 2004 recipient of the DuPage Center for Independent Living's Advocate of the Year award. The Advocate of the Year award is given to an individual who through their hard work and valiant effort create change with in our community to enhance and empower persons with disabilities so we may all live as equal members of society.

The Special Ed Advocacy Center began work on its seven major objectives in 2004:

  • Providing free legal services to low-income parents and caregivers of children with disabilities seeking to obtain appropriate educational services for their children;
  • Answering intake questions from parents and caregivers of children with disabilities on issues concerning special education law;
  • Conducting educational conferences, lectures and seminars; · Creating an informational website;
  • Creating educational brochures and manuals;
  • Creating an advisory committee comprised of parents and caretakers of children with disabilities as well as some current and former special education students; and
  • Offering legal internships and volunteer positions to help train special education advocates.

 

Providing Legal Services

Since May 2004, the Special Ed Advocacy Center ("SEAC") provided free, competent legal advocacy and representation to parents and caregivers who might not otherwise receive legal representation.

The SEAC focuses its services on parents and caregivers whose income is at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The SEAC focused on the substantive and procedural aspects of special education law, and on a broad range of lawyering skills. The SEAC's work encompasses factual investigation; extensive document review (Individualized Educational Plans ("IEPs"), school and medical records, and team assessments); drafting correspondence, complaints and pleadings; attending meetings; contacting and interviewing expert witnesses; conducting research; preparing memoranda of law; and handling the general disposition of cases.

The SEAC's clients were obtained through outreach to PTAs, parent groups, child advocates, resource organizations, private practice special education attorneys, teachers, school administrators, churches and other religious organizations, as well as numerous community groups throughout the Chicago area.

Answering Intake Calls
The SEAC attorney and volunteer attorneys answered more than 100 questions from concerned parents and caregivers of children with disabilities such as:
      • How can I change my child's classroom?
      • How do I get the IEP team to listen to me?
      • How can I get the IEP team to give my child a 1:1 aide?
      • Should I let the IEP team do a Functional Behavior Assessment on my child?
      • Can I audiotape an IEP meeting?
      • How do I make the IEP team follow the IEP?
      • What can I do if my child's school records are inaccurate?
      • How do I get an IEP for my child?
      • What can I do when the school violates our mediation agreement?

 

Conducting Educational Conferences

In addition to providing legal services, the SEAC sought to educate parents, caregivers and school personnel concerning their mutual rights and responsibilities. The SEAC's staff conducted educational conferences free of charge with the intended purpose of transforming the complex area of special education law into simple, understandable language that parents and other non-attorneys can utilize. Additionally, the forums allowed parents and caregivers to ask questions concerning special education law and teaches parents and school personnel how to work together both cooperatively and effectively.

The SEAC conducted educational conferences to groups across metropolitan Chicago including:

April

  • IL Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities, The North/Northwest Cook and Lake County Work Group (Riverwood) (April 15)

 

May

  • Fox River Valley Center for Independent Living (Elgin) (May 13)
  • LAN 40 Steering Committee (Evanston) (May 24)

 

June

  • Parents As Advocates (Elburn) (June 12)
  • DuPage Center for Independent Living (Glen Ellyn) (June 24)

 

July

  • Taste of Disability (Elgin) (July 24)

 

September

  • Parent's Group (Aurora) (September 14)
  • Down Syndrome Buddy Walk (Lake County) (September 19)
  • Schaumburg Township Disability Office (Schaumburg) (September 30)

 

October

  • National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of DuPage County (Glen Ellyn) (October 19)
  • Answers for Special Kids (Evanston) (October 21)

 

November

  • Lake County Center for Independent Living (Mundelein) (November 18)

 

Creating a Website

During the Summer of 2004, the SEAC launched its website (www.specialedadvocacycenter.org). The SEAC's website operates as a free public resource and information center for issues concerning special education law.

An addition to the website in 2005 will be a blog that provides for a dialogue between parents of children with disabilities and attorneys specializing in special education law. The website will also be expanded to include educational brochures, manuals, informational articles, copies of press releases and links to other special education resources.

Creating Educational Brochures

The SEAC's staff designs and distributes free educational brochures and manuals. To date, the SEAC distributes an educational handout entitled IEP 101 and the SEAC Informational Brochure. The brochures and manuals simplify complex laws and regulations and serve as a quick guide and primer.

During 2005, the SEAC intends to design and distribute educational brochures including, but not limited to, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"), Section 504, Parent's Rights Under Current Special Education Law, Special Education 101, Do's and Don'ts of the Special Education Process and How to Work Cooperatively and Effectively with School Personnel.

Creating an Advisory Committee

Given that the SEAC only began operations on April 1, 2004, no advisory committee was formed during 2004.

In 2005, the SEAC intends to create an Advisory Council comprised of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, school representatives, doctors, child psychologists, speech and occupational therapists, and social workers.

Offering Legal Internships and Volunteer Opportunities

Given that the SEAC only began operations on April 1, 2004, no internships were offered during 2004.

In 2005, the SEAC intends to offer three internships or volunteer positions to help train special education advocates.

Leadership and Staff

2004 Board of Directors:

  • President: Ms. Jill M. Dressner
  • Vice-President: Ms. Michele Fugger
  • Secretary: Ms. Terry Pastika
  • Treasurer: Ms. Jill M. Dressner
  • Director: Ms. Bethany Thompson 2004

 

Staff:

Ms. Jill M. Dressner, Executive Director/Attorney at Law

Support, Contributions and Donations

Given that the SEAC only began operations on April 1, 2004, and did not get approved for 501(c)(3) status until December 10, 2004, no foundation, corporation or governmental agencies funded the SEAC during 2004. The SEAC was funded during 2004 strictly by individual donations.

The SEAC's future financial support will come from individuals interested in the organization's purposes. In addition, support will come from grantmaking foundations and corporate contribution programs in response to formally submitted proposals. On occasion, fundraising special events may be conducted.

The SEAC complies with all record-keeping and filing requirements mandated by state and federal law. Our corporate records are available for inspection at our office and are on file with the appropriate governmental agencies. The SEAC does not release the names of our individual donors nor do we sell our mailing list to other groups. The individuals listed in our Annual Report have agreed to be recognized.

The Special Ed Advocacy Center welcomes your contributions. Please give if you can. For further information about the SEAC, please contact us at: SPECIAL ED ADVOCACY CENTER 1935 South Plum Grove Road PMB #274 Palatine, IL 60067 Phone (847) 736-8286 Fax (847) 397-7011 Email seac@specialedadvocacycenter.org Website www.specialedadvocacycenter.org