May 2019
This month marks the 70 th year of recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Each day, millions of Americans are affected by mental health issues, and studies reflect that approximately 1 in 5 adults suffer from mental illness. Additionally, 1 in 5 children will experience a mental disorder in their lifetimes. Several mental health organizations across the nation, including the Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), are dedicating this month to raising awareness and educating the public through various outreach activities. Their common goal is to break the stigma surrounding mental illness by providing resources and encouraging open conversation. At McAndrews Law Offices, we understand that mental health issues can have a major impact on the famil y dynamic throughout the entire lifespan , as well as on a child’s education. We invite you to visit our Articles page on our website where we have several publications by our attorneys surrounding mental health issues. For more information about May being Mental Health Awareness Month, as well as ways to get involved, visit https://www.nami.org/ and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may . And even though our attorneys provide free seminars every month of the year, we are particularly active in May, as indicated by our many programs highlighted below. Together we can #breakthestigma! 

MLO Upcoming Speaking Engagements!
Thursday, May 9th
Five County Guardian Practice
Anthony Marone, Esq. will be a faculty member at PBI's upcoming seminar and live webcast. About the program: This course goes well beyond the basics and gives you solutions for your complex guardianship problems. Faculty will address the difficulties in representing the petitioner or the alleged incapacitated person (AIP), or advocating in cases where the AIP has been exploited. For more information, visit http://www.pbi.org/Meetings/Meeting.aspx?ID=29746
Friday, May 10th
Lehigh University Special Education Law Conference
Heather Hulse, JD, MS, MA will be presenting on the "Interaction Between School Resource Officers and Students with Disabilities". About the program: This session will identify various court decisions where the actions of school resource officers (SROs) in relation federal civil rights suits under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment, Section 504/ADA, and supplemental state claims. Have the SROs and the courts recognized the special circumstances of students with IEPs and 504 plans, such as the manifestation determination concept? What steps are available to educators and parents to minimize the physical and emotional injuries to student with disabilities that some SROs do under the rubric of "safety"? For more information, visit https://ed.lehigh.edu/professional-development/conferences-workshops/lawconference/agenda
Thursday, May 16th
Real Estate in a Special Needs Trust
Anthony Marone, Esq. will be a faculty member at the 2019 Fiduciary Education Foundation Conference. Anthony will be speaking from 11:20am - 12:20pm on "Owning and Managing Real Estate in Special Needs Trusts". For more information, visit  http://fiduciaryeducationfoundation.org/schedule-of-events/

Wednesday, May 29th
Transition into Adulthood for Individuals with Disabilities: High School, College and Entry into Employment
Nancy Potter, Esq. and Dennis McAndrews, Esq. will be providing a webinar program for the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP). About the program: Students with disabilities face unique challenges in moving from adolescence to adulthood. This session will discuss the obligations of public school programs to provide for transition planning in secondary schools for these students, together with the nature of the accommodations which are typically available in college programs in order to allow students with disabilities to obtain equal access to educational benefits. Finally, a discussion will be provided with respect to the types of questions employers may ask with respect to medical conditions or disabilities.
Tuesday, June 4th
School Law Update - 2019
Nancy Potter, Esq. will be a faculty member for PBI's upcoming live seminar and webcast. About the program: There have been many changes over the last year regarding the educational rights of students and changing duties of schools. This year’s School Law Day will explore some of those changes including school safety laws, charter school growth and accountability, racial disparities in educational opportunity, bullying and harassment, and the rights of LBGTQ students. School law continues to evolve and change. Learn about the latest issues, caselaw updates, and possible solutions. This program is for anyone who practices or is impacted by school law in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://www.pbi.org/Meetings/Meeting.aspx?ID=31555
Tuesday, June 18th
Special Plans for a Special Life
Jillian Zacks, Esq. will be a guest presenter at Lifetime Financial Growth's upcoming June seminar. The program will discuss top financial and estate planning strategies for individuals and families with life's changing needs. For more information, visit https://www.lifetimefinancialgrowth.com/
Wednesday, July 31st
ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs Trusts
Lesley Mehalick, JD, LLM and Jennifer Simons, Esq. will be joining The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties to host an informative financial presentation for families and other interested persons. This session will provide an overview of ABLE Accounts in Pennsylvania and when this type of account may be appropriate, as well as an overview of three different types of Special Needs Trusts. Included will be the similarities and differences among these three trusts and when each type should be used. Register online at www.arcoflehighnorthampton.org/events
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McAndrews Law Offices, P.C. is a nationally recognized firm that provides families of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Area, and New Jersey with exceptional legal representation in Special Education, Estate Planning, and the representation of individuals involved in higher education allegations of misconduct.
Main Office: 30 Cassatt Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312