Gain knowledge about special education related issues
S.E.L.F offers education webinars. Watch our webinar series & learn about special education related issues & topics from experts in education, law, and advocacy.
Understanding Outplacement
Special education attorneys Andy Feinstein, Terry Bedard, & Paul Barger discuss legal issues of outplacement in Connecticut & New York. Moderated by Lara Damashek.
Understanding Residential Outplacement
Special Education attorneys Piper Paul, Paul Barger, Meredith Braxton, & Gerry McMahon explore legal issues of residential out of district educational placements in Connecticut, New York, & beyond. Moderated by Christine Lai.
Special Education Advocacy 101
Special Education Advocates Diane Willcutts, Julie Swanson, Anne Munkenbeck, and Virginia Blum discuss special education advocacy basics and how advocates help families understand and navigate the special education process. Moderated by Lara Damashek.
A Life Plan for Special Education Advocacy
Special Education advocates Jill Chuckas, Virginia Blum, Anne Munkenbeck, and Diane Willcutts discuss how advocates can help parents establish a life plan for their child’s special education through an understanding of the advocacy process. Moderated by Lara Damashek.
Special Education Law Year in Review
Courtney Spencer (Law Offices of Courtney Spencer), Andy Feinstein (Feinstein Education Law Group), Adrienne Arkontaky (Cuddly Law Firm), and Michael Gilberg (Law Offices of Michael Gilberg) discuss legal trends in 2020-2021 with moderator Christine Lai.
The Summer Slide: ESY & Beyond
Special education attorneys Jeffrey Forte (Forte Law Group), Piper Paul (Piper Paul Law), and Robin Keller (Law Offices of Robin Keller) discuss legal issues around the summer slide, extended school year, and how parents can advocate for appropriate summer services for their students in special education.
How to Find Hire & Keep the Right Special Education Attorney
Lakshmi Mergeche (The Law Offices of Neal Rosenberg), Greg Cangiano (Skyer Law), Dana Jonson (the Law Offices of Dana Jonson), and Meredith Braxton discuss how to find the right special education attorney for your student and family, and maintain that relationship through proactive communication strategies. Moderated by Lara Damashek.
Mental Health, Special Education, & The Law
This webinar features special education attorneys Dana Jonson & Piper Paul, special education advocate Diane Willcutts, and Dr. Adrienne Smaller. Moderated by Christine Lai, Executive Director of S.E.L.F., this panel explores the mental health epidemic post-pandemic and how schools under IDEA can provide support to these students and their families.
Attorneys & Advocates: What’s the Difference?
Special education attorney Jennifer Laviano and special education advocates Julie Swanson & Diane Willcutts discuss the differences between special education advocates and attorneys, and when you might need one versus the other. Moderated by Christine Lai.
Special Education Schools During COVID
Moderated by Christine Lai, this panel explores lessons learned by independent special education schools in Connecticut during the COVID-19 pandemic of spring & fall 2020. This panel features Beth Sugerman (Winston Prep CT), Jeffrey Bravin (American School for the Deaf), Jim Heus (Eagle Hill School, Greenwich), Margaret Gregory (Fusion Academy), and William DeHaven (Villa Maria School).
Approved vs Nonapproved Schools
This panel, moderated by S.E.L.F. cofounder Christine Lai, features Jamie Williamson (The Windward School), William DeHaven (Villa Maria School), Tammy Moscrip (The Spire School), Christy Chandler (Chapel Haven Schleifer Center), and Paula Morabito (American School for the Deaf) and explores issues related to approval status at special education schools in Connecticut and New York. This is a must-watch for any parent considering independent special education school placement for their child.
Therapeutic Special Education Schools
This webinar discusses therapeutic special education schools with Julie Smallwood (The Glenholme School), Dr. Tammy Moscrip (Spire School), Lauren Koffler (Shrub Oak International School) and special education attorney Dana Jonson. Moderated by SELF Executive Director Christine Lai, the webinar explores questions like what is a therapeutic special education school, how does a therapeutic school differ from a “regular” special education school, and how school districts look at placement to therapeutic environments.
Exploring Post-Secondary Transition
This webinar, moderated by S.E.L.F. Executive Director Christine Lai, discusses post-second transition programs and features John Civita (Winston Transitions), Christy Chandler (Chapel Haven ASAT), and Lauren McBeth (Westport College Prep).
Exploring Residential Special Education Schools
This webinar features representatives from CT/NY residential special education schools, including Christy Chandler from Chapel Haven Schleifer Center, Kristin Feldman from American School for the Deaf, & Lauren Koffler from Shrub Oak International School as well as special education attorneys Lawrence Berliner and Paul Barger. Moderated by Christine Lai, Executive Director and Co-Founder of S.E.L.F., this discussion explores residential special education programs from a parents’ perspective. American Sign Language interpretation services provided by American School for the Deaf.
Finding the Right School: A Professional’s View
This webinar features education consultants Elaine Morales-Thomason (Emile Educational Consulting) and Katie Conroy-Ciervo (Harris Kramer Liston) as well as special education advocate Diane Willcutts and BCBA Alisa Rohdie. Moderated by Chiristine Lai, this panel explores how parents can identify, evaluate, and select the appropriate educational program for their student.
Therapeutic Special Education Schools
Special education attorney Dana Jonson, Julie Smallwood (The Glenholme School), Dr. Tammy Moscrip (The Spire School), and Lauren Koffler (Shrub Oak International School) discuss therapeutic special education schools, what they provide for the students they serve, and how they differ from “regular” special education schools. Moderated by Christine Lai.
These webinar recordings are presented for informational purposes only. These webinars are intended as a resource for families who are navigating the special education system in Connecticut or New York. These webinars are NOT intended to provide legal support, advice, or assistance to any particular individual, nor is it intended to replace the advice and counsel of a qualified special education attorney. Families in need of legal advice, support, or assistance should contact a special education attorney licensed to practice in Connecticut or New York to discuss the specific needs of their individual student. These webinars should not be construed as an endorsement by Special Education Legal Fund or any of its representatives of any of the participants. Opinions expressed represent the opinion of the presenter or panelist and do not reflect the thoughts, sentiments, or intent of Special Education Legal Fund, its representatives, or its Board of Directors.
