Federal law mandates that every special need child in America is entitled to a free, appropriate public education. AVLF's Advocacy in Education for Children with Special Needs program, generously supported by grants from the Fulton County Department of Human Services and the Community Foundation of Atlanta, helps the families of special needs children determine whether a child is receiving that level of education.

The services offered by AVLF through this program are varied. Kathleen Dumitrescu, an AVLF staff attorney who works exclusively with this project, participates in several community education seminars on the issue of special education each year. Her presentations are offered to families of special needs children to help promote a broader understanding of what services may be available to special needs children through a public school. The seminars are also offered to Juvenile Court personnel who work with troubled special needs children, and even to providers of special education who wish to see special needs concerns from the perspective of an advocate for the children.

For more information about the Professional Seminar Series including presentations, please click here. 

In addition, AVLF provides legal counsel for the direct representation of qualified families who are concerned that their child may not be receiving the special education that is demanded by law. For example, in the event that a family believes that their child should be evaluated to determine whether they may take advantage of special education opportunities, but the school system disagrees and refuses to evaluate the child, AVLF's lawyers will counsel the family, communicate and negotiate with the school system and, if necessary, will litigate the matter on behalf of the child. As well, for a child already eligible for services, disagreement between the family and the school system about whether education services that are offered are appropriate may generate the same legal services.

It is estimated that more than 13,000 students receive special education services in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County school systems: it is also estimated that at least 2,500 more are eligible but are as yet unidentified. For students who need legal help to secure and sustain reasonable access to educational benefit, AVLF may be able to offer assistance. If you are a family in need of such help, please call AVLF. If you are an attorney who can help those who do need counsel in these matters, please also call the Foundation to volunteer.