Advocating for Students with Disabilities: Understanding Legal Rights

Overview of the local education agency’s legal obligations to support students with special education needs pursuant to federal & state laws
About this Event

Advocating for Students with Disabilities: Understanding Students’ Legal Rights and School District Responsibilities

Date: April 22, 2025 (7-8:15PM EST)
Speaker: Ariel S. Zitrin, Esq., ODCP
Hosted by: Dr. Scott Mesh
Format: Online Webinar

- Join for FREE: get a Certificate of Attendance at the end.

- CE Certificate/CEUs $9
○ 1.0 CTLE CE Hours (CE Certificate)
○ 1.0 NYSED SW CE Hours (CE Certificate)

REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CE Certificate/CEUs:
○ You MUST attend the webinar from start to finish
○ You MUST fill out the attendance form (will be sent via email)
○ You MUST answer & submit the evaluation form after the webinar (will be sent via email)

Failure to fulfill requirements may result in delays receiving your certificate/credits, or in some cases, non-receipt of your certificate/credits.

Webinar Description:
Join Ariel S. Zitrin, Esq., ODCP, as she provides an insightful overview of the local education agency’s legal obligations to support students with special education needs pursuant to federal and state laws. Ms. Zitrin has not only represented both school districts and parents in her twenty-year legal career, but she also brings a unique perspective as a parent who went through the early intervention and CPSE processes with her own child. From this webinar, you will learn the concept of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and explore the key requirements of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Additionally, Ms. Zitrin will discuss procedural timelines, stakeholder roles in IEP meetings, and dispute resolution processes. Designed for parents, educators and advocates, this seminar aims to empower participants with knowledge to effectively advocate for their clients and/or children.

Objectives:
The participants will be able to…
1. Describe the necessary components of a free appropriate public education.
2. Identify strategies to effectively advocate for students with disabilities during the evaluation process.
3. Analyze an IEP and determine whether it meets state and federal educational requirements.

Speaker's Bio
Ariel Zitrin is the former First Deputy Director of the New York City Department of Education’s Special Education Legal Unit. In her role, Ms. Zitrin oversaw the day-to-day operation of the unit and supervised a staff of over 200 attorneys and paralegals in their investigation, settlement and/or litigation of all special education complaints brought against the DOE by parents seeking funding for private school tuition and special services. After twelve years with the DOE, Ms. Zitrin made the difficult decision to leave. Shortly thereafter, in January 2024, she started AZ Law & Consulting, PLLC, a firm specializing in education law matters and organizational development consulting services for education institutions. Ms. Zitrin earned her J.D. from Pace University School of Law and her B.A. with Distinction from the University of Delaware. Ms. Zitrin is also a certified Organizational Development Professional.

Host's Bio
Dr. Mesh is a clinical psychologist and the co-author of the book “Early Childhood Assessment: A Practical Guide to Psychological and Developmental Evaluations in the Early Intervention Program.” He has worked with families for over 30 years. Dr. Mesh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Los Niños Services, an award-winning Early Childhood Special Education program in New York City, and the Founder of Young Child Learning which provides professional development to teachers and all professionals working with young children. He consults with professionals and parents on the challenges they face in helping young children achieve their full potential. Dr. Mesh is the author of upcoming book Tapas: Tasty Inspirational Poems(www.inspire.nyc).

Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.

Special Accommodations or Requests.
Individuals with disabilities in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. The Admin will work with the team to provide the necessary accommodations. Requests for special accommodations must be made at least a month prior to the webinar date. Once accommodations are found, the Admin will confirm need for accommodations. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that he or she is no longer in need of the accommodations, he or she must contact the Admin a week before the webinar date.

Grievance Policy & Procedure
Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 30 days of the end of the webinar date. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint. For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.
Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at [email protected]. If you have any additional questions or concerns, contact Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 333 or at [email protected]

This webinar is presented by Young Child Learning & sponsored by Los Niños Services.

About Young Child Learning
Young Child Learning (YCL) organizes Early Childhood Webinars. The mission of YCL is to help all early childhood professionals learn, grow, and help young children get a good start in life and achieve their full potential. YCL carries on the tradition of the Young Child Expo and Conference.

About Los Niños Services
Los Niños Services is an award-winning multilingual agency that has been serving young children with developmental delays and autism for 25 years. Los Niños is one of the leading early chilhood special education providers in NYC and surrounding communities. Los Niños serves all children and families from all communities providing services such as the Early Intervention Program, Preschool Special Education, & Private Services/ABA Private Insurance Services.

If you have further questions, contact Cari Laroza (Administrator) at [email protected]

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