Tools for Special-Needs Families Ready. Set. Renew.

It’s time to renew your benefits.

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Education Reporter

Navigating the education system as the parent of a special-need student can be daunting. Luckily, there are resources available for families in search of answers and accountability. Below are just a few institutions, collected in consultation with Ward 8 resident and special-needs parent LaJoy Johnson-Law, that have been proven to help special-needs students of all ages.

Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE)

Since 1996, this institution has helped address the denial of basic special-education services by educating parents about special education laws and consequences that arise from an educational institution’s failure to properly classify and accommodate special needs students. Resources include a parent support network, free legal representation, and youth transition plans.

government resource that connects them with the tools, education and support needed to make informed decisions about their child’s learning. This one-stop shop for information focuses on early childhood, special education eligibility and implementation, academics and emotional, and social and behavioral support. For more information, visit specialeducation.dc.gov.

Office of the Student Advocate

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For more information, visit aje-dc.org.

The Children’s Law Center

This institution has helped tens of thousands of children solve pressing special-education related problems while advocating for citywide solutions. The tenets of the program are based on the belief in stable families, solving health problems, ensuring quality education, and system reform. Attorneys affiliated with the Children’s Law Center have even been appointed by District court judges to represent children in foster care.

For more information, visit childrenslawcenter.org.

DC Special Education Co-op

Do you need help with your healthcare, talking with us, or reading what we send you? We provide our materials in other languages and formats at no cost to you. Call us toll free at 800-600-4441 (TTY 711).

¿Necesita ayuda con el cuidado de la salud, para hablar con nosotros o para leer lo que le enviamos? Le ofrecemos nuestros materiales en otros idiomas y formatos sin costo alguno. Llame a nuestra línea gratuita al 800-600-4441 (TTY 711).

This D.C. government entity aspires to help families better understand the public education system so they can advocate for their child and forge bonds with their child’s school. Resources include a Parent & Daily Go-To Guide that’s chock full of information about the D.C. education system. Other online resources focus on advocacy and lobbying, attendance and truancy, and bullying.

For more information, visit studentadvocate.dc.gov.

Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities

관리에 도움이 필요하십니까? 아니면 저희와 연락하시거나, 보내드리는 자료를 읽는 데 도움이 필요하십니까? 자료를 다른 언어 및 형식으로 무료로 제공해드립니다. 저희에게 800-600-4441 (TTY 711) 번으로 연락해 주십시오. 您在醫療保健方面、與我們交流或閱讀我們寄送的材料時是否需要幫助？我們可為您免費提供其 他語言和格式的材料。請撥打我們的免費電話 800-600-4441 (聽障專線 711)。

Avez-vous besoin d’aide pour vos soins de santé, pour parler avec nous ou pour lire ce que nous vous avons envoyé ? Nous pouvons vous fournir gratuitement nos documents dans d’autres langues et formats. Appelez notre numéro gratuit 800-600-4441 (TTY 711).

Quý vị có cần trợ giúp liên quan tới chăm sóc sức khỏe, nói chuyện với chúng tôi, hoặc đọc nội dung chúng tôi gửi cho quý vị không? Chúng tôi có cung cấp tài liệu bằng các ngôn ngữ và định dạng khác mà không tính phí cho quý vị. Hãy gọi chúng tôi theo số điện thoại miễn cước 800-600-4441 (TTY 711).

This entity works with teachers and school leaders across the char ter school system to improve edu cational services for special-needs students. It does so by designing programs based on student need, preparing students for life be yond high school graduation, and pushing schools to expand their capacity to increase the quality of special education in D.C. schools. The co-op, as it’s often called, also shapes education legislation to im prove how special-needs students are taught.

For more information, visit specialedcoop.org.

DC Special Education Hub

This entity has a legal department that services people with developmental disabilities and their families in the realms of capacity, consent, community integration, and freedom from abuse and neglect. Attorneys work to ensure that services for people with developmental disabilities are provided in the least restrictive setting possible. The trust also advocates for legislative reform and weighs in on policies affecting

Families can better understand special education in the District when visiting this D.C. BS-6