EFE’s Recent Work

When a school won’t respond

We represented a 3-year-old student who had been referred to be evaluated for special education eligibility. Despite continued efforts by the family and the Early Intervention case manager, the school did not conduct an evaluation. It didn’t even respond to the family’s letters. Even by the child’s third birthday, when an evaluation and possibly an IEP should have been in place, the family still had not heard from the school. We were able to compel the school to conduct an evaluation promptly, and we were able to obtain an appropriate IEP and compensatory services for the child.

School system changes transportation policy

We represented a group of students who had been found eligible for preschool special education services and were dually enrolled in Chicago Public Schools’ preschool programs and community Head Start programs. However, the school system refused to provide transportation for these students between their schools and the Head Start programs. We negotiated for the school system to provide transportation and provide compensatory services and/or reimbursements to the families. The school system also changed its transportation policy and created a new process for transportation to and from Head Start programs.

Services secured after six-month delay

Our client had been found eligible for Early Intervention Services when he was 2 years old. However, the Child and Family Connections responsible for his Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) failed to provide any of the services for more than six months because they allegedly could not find providers to give him services. We represented the family in mediation to secure money his family could use to obtain compensatory services for him.

• View our Early Intervention Resources page
• View our Early Intervention Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page
• Donate to our Equality for Kids Campaign
• Get legal help

Last updated: January 11, 2021