Registration Now Open for Wilton Special Education Conference

Information from Faith Filiault:

This year the focus of the Wrightslaw Conference will be OHI, Allergies, Mental Health, ADHD and Dyslexia in addition to an overview of IDEA, ADA, 504, and NCLB. This conference is geared towards parents of children with special needs. All 3 Wrightslaw books are included. Morning coffee, a boxed lunch & afternoon snack will be provided.

This year’s Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference is designed to meet the needs of parents of children receiving special education. There will be a special focus on advocacy for life threatening food allergies, emotional/mental health, ADHD/ADD, behavioral problems, dyslexia and other health impairments.

This conference will sell out quickly!

Just like last year, the Wrightslaw Conference is filling up quickly. Don’t delay if you plan to register. Last year the conference oversold out 220 seats. This year we are unable to accommodate more than 150 attendees.

When: Thursday October 23, 2014 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EDT

Where: Wilton Congregational Church
70 Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897

Click here to register.

Conference Contact: WLC2014@advocatewithfaith.com

About Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy:

As a non-attorney advocate for children with special needs, Faith Filiault says the key to success is fully engaging the families she works with to address immediate issues and to be proactive about plans for the child’s future.

“It’s a commitment, not a one-time fix,” she says. “We need to look at the whole picture and assist parents in drawing up a vision statement of what it’s going to take to reach long term goals. I also educate parents as I go, so that they can act independently down the road.” “It’s the dedication element of my work. What I do takes time, and requires a close relationship with families.”

Faith brings the Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conferences (Pete Wright, Esq) to Connecticut annually and is an authorized facilitator of the Wrightslaw From Emotions To Advocacy (FETA) program. Committed to continually expanding her knowledge base for the benefit of the families she works with, Faith attended the William & Mary Law Institute of Special Education Advocacy Training. Faith trained in kinesics (reading body language), principled negotiation and has attended dozens of other seminars regarding special education, mental health, and disability law. Additionally, she is trained and certified in mental health first-aid, is the mental health liaison for her local church, and is an active member and moderator for COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates).

Faith is well-versed in and advocates for children of all abilities but has a unique interest in mental health, food allergies, other health impairments, ADHD, behavioral related challenges, gifted and talented, and bullying issues.

“My job is to ensure the children I work for receive the appropriate educational services they are entitled to. “I collaborate with families to resolve issues and to work toward their child’s future. I want to see all kids reach their full potential.”

Special education advocacy is not just about knowing the complex special education laws, but also having the ability to effectively negotiate, navigate the system, assisting parents to tell their story, and express their concerns. Faith confers with teachers and school leaders, understands tests and measurements, and creates practical goals and objectives that are implemented in cooperation with mainstream and Special Education team members. As a dedicated advocate, Faith has specialized knowledge about the curriculum standards for the state and its general education regulations, as well as section 504, IDEA, NCLB, ADA, transportation regulations, case law, and, as necessary, integrates local health and fire codes into the educational plans that she develops in partnership with parents and educators.

Photo credit: Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy