Category Archives: Current Events

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

In August, Governor Pritzker signed a bill into law to help schools properly address childhood trauma with trained teachers, administrators and staff. At least 40% of children in Illinois have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience. At least 10% … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, General Information, Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, Reflection, Special Education / School Law, Uncategorized | Comments Off on LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

Advocacy Tips for Parents Staying on Top of Your Child’s Education

Get organized Buy a folder or two. Set up an organizational system that works for you. Keep Records of communication, emails, and work samples. Be clear about the communication system your school uses to track your child’s progress and assignments. … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Autism, Current Events, General Information, Juvenile Law, Parenting Plans, School Discipline, Special Education / School Law, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Advocacy Tips for Parents Staying on Top of Your Child’s Education

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

This school year has been one where student’s mental health issues have been at the top of mind in cases in our office. Regrettably, this has been a period where calls from clients often involves bullying, threats of school violence, … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, Mental Health / Disability, School Discipline, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

NEW GUIDANCE HELPS SCHOOLS SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES and AVOID DISCRIMINATORY USE OF DISCIPLINE

On July 19,2022, the Department of Education for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released guidance to assist public elementary and secondary schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, General Information, Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, School Discipline, Special Education / School Law | Tagged , | Comments Off on NEW GUIDANCE HELPS SCHOOLS SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES and AVOID DISCRIMINATORY USE OF DISCIPLINE

The Minor’s Right to Confidentiality under Illinois Law

Parents are often shocked at how much control their minor child has over their mental health records. In a post-dissolution of marriage proceeding, the petitioner mother sought to restrict the father’s parenting time with their minor child based on allegations … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, Custody, Divorce, Divorce & Custody, General Information, Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, Parenting Plans, Reflection, Special Education / School Law | Tagged | Comments Off on The Minor’s Right to Confidentiality under Illinois Law

The Child and Family Law Center: Advocating for the Legal Rights of Children for over 25 years

What does it take to win a Due Process Hearing? A due process hearing is one of the mechanisms for resolving disputes regarding special education services between parents and school districts. Other less formal options such as mediation or a … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Autism, Current Events, General Information, Juvenile Law, Mental Health / Disability, Parenting Plans, Reflection, Special Education / School Law, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Child and Family Law Center: Advocating for the Legal Rights of Children for over 25 years

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ARRESTED?

Summer is upon us and as a general rule this is a time when our office gets calls from parents regarding their teenager or young adults arrest or questioning by police. Have this discussion now. One time is not enough. … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Autism, Child Support, Current Events, Custody, Divorce, Divorce & Custody, Divorce Mediation, General Information, Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, Parenting Plans, Reflection, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS ARRESTED?

Co-Parenting in the Age of Coronavirus

There is no road map that allows us to provide hard guidance on how to manage parenting during this difficult time. Families are in unfamiliar territory. However, there are some things that hopefully will help you navigate co-parenting. Follow existing … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Autism, Child Support, Current Events, Custody, Divorce, Divorce & Custody, Divorce Mediation, General Information, Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, Parenting Plans, Reflection, Special Education / School Law | Comments Off on Co-Parenting in the Age of Coronavirus

School Shootings: A Perspective

Since the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this month, I have been once again thinking about how school shootings have become a tragic and all too common event in this country. I have avoided this … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, School Shootings, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on School Shootings: A Perspective

No Fault Dependency/Custody Relinquishment Prevention Act HB5598HFA2

Several times a year, parents come to our office and ask us to help them relinquish custody to the State in order to get their child needed mental health services. Often these children are adopted, but not always. What they … Continue reading

Share on Facebook
Posted in Current Events, Juvenile Law, Mental Health / Disability | Tagged , | Comments Off on No Fault Dependency/Custody Relinquishment Prevention Act HB5598HFA2