By Theo Meranze On January 21st the Department of Homeland Security announced a new policy that allows ICE to carry out immigration related arrests and searches in what were previously off-limits “sensitive locations”, such as schools and churches. This is incredibly concerning. Here is a link to an in-depth summary of the federal situation in regards to student’s and district’s …
Information For LGBTQ + Students Under Trump
By Theo Meranze Donald Trump has explicitly made it his agenda to demonize and target LGBTQ + people, specifically transgender people, and sadly students and children are no exception. The president has sent out multiple executive orders declaring his administration’s intent to attack what he has labelled “gender ideology extremism” in schools. For example, this executive order, titled “Ending Radical …
New Guidance from U.S. Department of Education on Identifying and Serving Children with Disabilities During the Pandemic
On August 24, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education released a Letter addressing early intervention and educational experience for special education students in the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. The purpose of the Letter is to (1) address the pandemic’s impact on service disruptions, and (2) ensure full implementation of IDEA during the 2021–2022 school year. For the upcoming 2021-2022 …
The Supreme Court’s DACA Ruling
On Thursday, June 18, 2020, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision shooting down the Trump administration’s 2017 attempt to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This is a great victory for Dreamers, who can continue to receive federal benefits protection from deportation for the time being. This is not, however, the end of the battle. The Supreme …
Blocking Parent Experts from School Observation is Against the Law
In 2005, Long Beach Unified denied access to a private evaluator to observe a proposed placement for a student with Autism. Bonnie Z. Yates took the matter before the California Court of Appeals and won the seminal and often cited Benjamin G. case, that established the right of experts to observe prior to a due process hearing. Almost 14 years …
Adulthood Transition: Graduation and Curriculum
By Diana Maltz, Esq What is the difference between a diploma and a certificate of completion? A high school diploma certifies that your child has met state and school mandated graduation requirements. A certificate of completion certifies that your child has completed high school, but did not meet graduation requirements. Many students with IEPs receive certificates rather than diplomas. This …
Diana Maltz joins Law Offices of Hirji and Chau, LLP as one of our new Associate Litigation Attorneys
Diana Maltz graduated from the USC Gould School of Law in May 2018. During her time at USC, she conducted research regarding civil commitment and conservatorship of developmentally disabled adults as a 2017-2018 Saks Institute Scholar. She also participated in the Mediation Clinic from August 2016 until May 2018 and served as Vice President of the Student Bar Association during …
Alexander Rodriguez joins Law Offices of Hirji and Chau, LLP as one of our new Associate Litigation Attorneys
Alex Rodriguez is a graduate of Loyola Law School and was admitted to practice law in California in 2018. The importance of education was instilled in Alex at a young age by his parents who were educators, and inspired Alex to pursue and gain experience as a classroom teacher. Prior to Law School, Alex obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell …
CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY FOR THIS FAMILY AFTER A TWO-YEAR FIGHT WITH THE REGIONAL CENTER
The Law Offices of Hirji & Chau had a recent victory in regional center eligibility! On December 17, 2018, the Office of Administrative hearings found in favor of our client, a 54-year-old man with Autism and Intellectual Disability who was previously found ineligible for services from the Inland Regional Center (“IRC”). Daniel* was diagnosed with Autism and Aphasia at the …
Adulthood Transition: An Overview
By Diana Maltz, Esq What is adulthood transition?Adulthood transition is a process by which the school district prepares a student in special education for life after high school. If your child has an IEP and is 16 years old, the District must prepare an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP). When should transition planning begin?Transition planning can begin when your child is …