Category Archives: Mental Health / Disability

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Getting the Right Reading Intervention Shouldn’t Be So Hard

It has been nearly 26 years since I started my practice with a focus on special education law and advocacy for children and adolescents. The practice is and was inspired and informed by my own son’s struggle with dyslexia. I … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Rights of Teens Regarding Confidentiality under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act

Many parents who come to our office are surprised to learn that their child, if they are at least 12, must consent to the release of mental health information. Who has the right to the records protected by the Act? … Continue reading

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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

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