Navigating the public school special education system is hard.
Despite federal laws ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education tailored to their needs, gaining access to those services can be long, arduous — and costly.
And that’s for families with the time, resources and financial ability to do so.
Jennifer Kanfer
During nearly 20 years in Westport, Jennifer Kanfer learned how to advocate for her child with a learning disability. Many other parents here do too.
But as she navigated the complex system, she wondered about parents who don’t live in an affluent suburb. How could they advocate for their children?
Since 2018, they’ve had help.
The Special Education Legal Fund (SELF) was founded by 2 mothers who wanted to level the playing field for families without the resources they were fortunate to have.
It began by distributing grants to attorneys, who represented parents in meetings and negotiations with school administrators — and, if needed, in litigation that followed.
The grants — first $5,000, now $6,000 — still represented less than what those lawyers would normally charge. SELF works with over 2 dozen attorneys throughout Connecticut (and a few in Westchester County), all with special education experience.
Over the years, they’ve served well over 200 families. All must earn incomes no higher than 300% above the state poverty level.
SELF soon added another service. Specially trained advocates (without law degrees) help families understand the special ed. process, and represent them during Planning and Placement Team (PPT) and other meetings with school officials.
Kanfer trained to become an advocate — and is a staunch one.
The third program involves Laura Sullivan. The full-time attorney — a special ed expert — assists the “most vulnerable” families: those earning no more than 125% over the state poverty level. For a family of 4, that’s about $41,000.
“As costs of special education rise, and there is more pressure to reduce the number and amount of services, districts become more adversarial,” SELF executive director Stephanie Bilenker notes.
“But with advocates and attorneys, districts sit up straighter. They take families more seriously. They listen more to their concerns.
SELF website screenshot.
“I know districts are under pressure to rein in costs,” Kanfer acknowledges. “But families need help.”
SELF provides it.
And not just in English. The website offers information in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, Creole, Polish and French.
“When there’s a grant, and it leads to securing an outcome, that’s amazing,” she adds.
“We’ve seen kids get special ed services, and go on to good colleges. One intervention made all the difference in their lives.”
BY THE NUMBERS:
- SELF has provided over 7,200 hours of legal service; given more than $1.3 million grants; obtained over $15 million in educational improvements, and worked with 70-plus school districts.
- 49% of SELF families live below the poverty line; 29% speak English as a second language; 61% are led by single parents.
- 54% of SELF students are of color; 32% are autistic; 22% are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD; 19% are dyslexic.
To learn more about the Special Education Legal Fund — including statistics, how to access webinars and how to donate — click here.
(“06880” regularly covers education issues — and publishes profiles of Westporters doing interesting, important work. If you appreciate stories like these, please click here to support this blog. Thank you!)
As playing fields get less and less fair, thank you Jen for making the effort. Great cause!!