Get the knowledge you need to take the next steps for your child’s education with S.E.L.F.
Founded by parents, Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.) is an organization that provides knowledge, resources, and support to under-resourced families so they may successfully advocate for their children.
Supporting families in the special education system in Connecticut & New York.
OUr IMPACT
OUr Families
OUr Students
OUr IMPACT
OUr Families
OUr Students
Special Education Legal Fund Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to level the playing field for families in need with children in the special education system by providing resources, knowledge, and support during the advocacy process.
Special Education Legal Fund provides two types of grants to families. The Attorney Grant Program enables a qualifying family to retain a special education attorney through a one-time grant of $6000. The Advocate Grant Program enables a qualifying family to obtain special education advocacy support through a one-time grant of $1000.
Please visit HOW TO APPLY for more information about eligibility.
An Attorney Grant covers up to $6000 of a family’s special education legal expenses provided through a qualified special education attorney that meets S.E.L.F.’s professional guidelines. An Advocate Grant covers up to $1000 of special education advocacy expenses provided through a qualified special education advocate on S.E.L.F.’s list.
Grants are reviewed monthly by S.E.L.F. during the school year and applicants are notified of S.E.L.F.’s decision by the end of the month in which they apply.
No, Special Education Legal Fund does not make recommendations about attorneys to applicant families or families who have been approved for a grant. Families are responsible for securing their own legal representation, subject to S.E.L.F.’s professional guidelines
This list represents attorneys in New York and Connecticut who have previously accepted grants from S.E.L.F. on behalf of clients and should not be construed as an endorsement by Special Education Legal Fund or any of its representatives of any of the attorneys whose names are included on this list.
Barger & Gaines (Paul Barger)
The Law Offices of Terry Bedard
The Law Offices of Lawrence Berliner
The Law Offices of Meredith Braxton
Feinstein Education Law Group (Andrew Feinstein, Jillian Griswold)
The Law Offices of John Flanders
Forte Law Group
Michael Gilberg, Esq
The Law Offices of Dana Jonson
The Law Offices of Jennifer Laviano and Melissa Gagne
The Law Offices of Robin Keller
Piper Paul Law
The Law Offices of Penelope Petzold
Special Education MAP (Melanie Dunn)
Lloyd Donders
Stacy Sadove
The Law Offices of Laura Heneghan
Attorneys that receive grants from S.E.L.F. must:
After approval, S.E.L.F. and the applicant may schedule an introductory call to discuss any concerns or questions. The applicant has 30 days from the date of approval to secure the services of an appropriate special education attorney. If recipient fails to retain an appropriate attorney during the designated time frame, grant approval for the S.E.L.F. client will be withdrawn.
Each month Special Education Legal Fund receives many more applications than grants that we can support. If your initial application is not approved, you may be eligible, upon invitation, to reapply in the following month’s grant cycle.
Both the Attorney Grant Program Grant and the Advocate Grant Program are available on a one-time basis per child per family. If you have received an Advocate Grant for your child, you may apply for an Attorney Grant for that child after a 3 month waiting period.
S.E.L.F. Success Stories
Kai struggled in school, isolated from peers, until an incident in the classroom that left him bruised spurred his mother to reach out to S.E.L.F..
Kendrick struggled in school for years until he was finally diagnosed with dyslexia at age 15.
Janavia’s mom advocated tirelessly for her daughter, firm in her belief that Janavia had something other than the ADHD indicated by her school.
