August 2022 | Special Education Newsletter
A Note from our Director of Marketing & Communications
*BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE!*
Dear Friends, Families, Clients, and Colleagues:

It is hard to believe that the 2022-2023 school year is right around the corner. Here at MLO, we understand the current pandemic has created unusual challenges for children, families, and schools. These circumstances have required all of us to adapt in major ways, and our legal family is no exception. Even though our firm has been well equipped in terms of technology and training for decades, we have adopted even more innovative practices to continue to successfully serve our clients during these unprecedented times. Our team recognizes that the current health crisis has had a dramatic impact on students, particularly children with disabilities who often rely on their daily schedule to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Proper advocacy for your child’s education is crucial right now, and that is why we are here to help! Our firm continues to provide initial special education client meetings at NO CHARGE, and most cases are handled thereafter without hourly fees to our clients. Do not hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance or if you have any questions. Click here to contact us today or call (610)-648-9300.

Wishing you all a pleasant end to your summer season and a successful school year!

Sincerely,
Director of Marketing and Communications
Don't let the summer set your child back!

Let us help them start the school year on the right track!

Timely Topics
by The MLO Special Education Department


One of the many benefits of being a mid-size firm with offices and attorneys in multiple states is the ability to address our clients’ issues throughout the mid-Atlantic while maintaining a personal connection with each of our cases. As Nancy likes to say, “We are a small office with long hallways.” Though the pandemic’s emphasis on videoconferencing has only increased our ability to connect across distance, McAndrews Law Offices has always emphasized collaboration amongst our many attorneys and offices.
 
With locations in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Alexandria, our main office in Berwyn, two offices in Delaware, and more, as well as strong partnerships with other firms and nonprofits, we can meet with clients – in-person or online – virtually anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. Our attorneys are admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. This geographic reach allows us to better meet the needs of clients who move across state lines, have children attending college out of state, or have property in two locations. 

by Heather Hulse, J.D., M.S., M.A., Partner and lead attorney in our Northeastern Pennsylvania office

As a special education attorney for almost twenty years, one of the most concerning things that is consistently reported by students who have been bullied and their families is the dismissal of reported bullying because the school district’s staff did not witness the bullying. Time and time again, families of students that have been bullied report that when their child has, or they have, reported bullying, their school districts have responded in various, yet similar ways: “the teacher did not see anything,” “we have not noticed anything like that,” or “there was nothing on the cameras.” We have too-often learned that the necessary investigations of these matters are incomplete or inaccurate, and such responses are devastating or even offensive to families who are suffering from bullying.

by Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq., lead Wyomissing, Pa special education attorney

If a student has behaviors that impede his or her learning or that of others, there are steps that IEP teams must take to address the behaviors. Among these steps, the team should identify that behaviors that impede learning exist in the “Special Considerations” checklist section of a Pennsylvania IEP. The team should then develop a Positive Behavior Support Plan (“PBSP”) based on the results of a Functional Behavior Assessment (“FBA”). If you are addressing behavior with your child’s IEP team, you may benefit from reviewing the following tips, which can help ensure consistency and clarity in the IEP/PBSP.
MLO News and Events
Attorney Spotlight on Michael Connolly, Esq.!

In under two minutes, watch this video and get to know our talented and dedicated Supervising Partner of our Special Education Department, Michael Connolly, Esq.! Learn more about his work in special education law and hear from some of his former clients about his incredible work serving individuals with special needs. Click the link below to view the video!

Luzerne County Cares Community Expo
Thursday, August 18th, 2022

Heather Hulse, J.D., M.S., M.A., partner and our lead Northeastern Pennsylvania attorney, will be presenting at this year's Expo on "Individual Education Programs (IEPs) and Other Educational Rights"! Click here to learn more!
Update to Federal Guidance on Discipline with McAndrews Law!
Thursday, September 22nd, 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Nancy Potter, Esq., our lead Pittsburgh area education attorney, has been asked by ACHIEVA to discuss updated guidance on behavior support and discipline of students with disabilities. Questions about this virtual presentation? Email Melissa Skiffen at mskiffen@achieva.info.
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We are a nationally recognized firm that provides families of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Area, and New Jersey with exceptional legal representation in Special Education, Estate Planning, Abuse of Vulnerable Citizens, and Title IX matters including the representation of individuals involved in higher education allegations of misconduct.
Main Office: 30 Cassatt Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312
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610-648-9300