Blueprints to Special Education (How to build effective school services)
Join special education attorneys for an in-depth training workshop on utilizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to develop appropriate services for your child or student. This workshop will provide a comprehensive understanding of your child's special education program and your rights. The training will be held via Zoom webinar.
WAA membership and our monthly newsletter will be included at no charge as part of the training registration process.
Meet our presenters:
Jenna Schuenemann, Feeney Law
Jenna Schuenemann earned her Juris Doctor, with concentration in public interest law, from the University of Washington School of Law in 2011. From 2017 to 2024, Jenna served as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). She started her work as an ALJ working on the Social and Health Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Health Care Authority caseloads. Jenna joined the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) caseload full-time in October 2020, focusing exclusively on education law, primarily special education due process hearings.
Jenna Schuenemann earned her Juris Doctor, with concentration in public interest law, from the University of Washington School of Law in 2011. From 2017 to 2024, Jenna served as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). She started her work as an ALJ working on the Social and Health Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Health Care Authority caseloads. Jenna joined the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) caseload full-time in October 2020, focusing exclusively on education law, primarily special education due process hearings.
Prior to joining OAH, Jenna was a public defender for six years, working in Pierce and Snohomish counties. Her love of education law was sparked by her two years as a juvenile court public defender, seeing the need for holistic representation for children and their families.
Jenna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a major in East Asian Languages and Cultures, specializing in Chinese and political science. In her free time, Jenna enjoys being active outdoors with her husband and two children.
Alex brings years of experience working with students to his work at Cedar Law PLLC. Alex graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he worked in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic representing homeless and low-income children in the dependency system. During law school, Alex also interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Rights Division, and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination.
Alex brings years of experience working with students to his work at Cedar Law PLLC. Alex graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he worked in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic representing homeless and low-income children in the dependency system. During law school, Alex also interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Rights Division, and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination. Prior to law school, Alex was a high school science teacher and soccer coach in Arizona, where he led the freshman science curriculum team at his school. He also co-taught junior-level special education classes, where he worked collaboratively with special education teachers, students, and their parents to help students succeed in the classroom. Alex graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He is licensed in both Washington and Oregon.
Katherine George has been in private practice for more than 15 years, representing appellants and amicus parties in dozens of precedent-setting cases. She has extensive experience helping parents improve special education for children with disabilities. She was instrumental in the passage of the law regulating restraint and isolation of students in public schools. She represented children’s advocates in the landmark education funding case, McCleary v. State of WA, advocating for full funding of special education.
She also practices media/public records law.
Mary is a lawyer who focuses exclusively on the education of students with disabilities ages 3-22 in the State of Washington. She is a 2017 graduate of Seattle University Law School. Over the past decade, her tireless advocacy as a parent and attorney has included serving as President of the Seattle Special Education PTSA, Special Education Attorney at Washington Autism Alliance...
Mary is a lawyer who focuses exclusively on the education of students with disabilities ages 3-22 in the State of Washington. She is a 2017 graduate of Seattle University Law School. Over the past decade, her tireless advocacy as a parent and attorney has included serving as President of the Seattle Special Education PTSA, Special Education Attorney at Washington Autism Alliance (WAA), and as a member of the Seattle Superintendent’s Special Education Advocacy and Advisory Committee. She is a member of the national Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and Attorneys for Education Rights (AFER). She has advocated at local and state levels to promote inclusionary practices and to limit the use of restraint and isolation as well as exclusionary discipline. Prior to law school, Mary obtained a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Washington and worked as a nurse practitioner for a local medical practice. She has presented many times on aspects of Special Education Law to parents and guardians.
Please notify us of any accommodation requests before the workshop. Interpretation services require 30 days' notice. Contact us by phone: 425-894-7231 or email: Office@WashingtonAutismAdvocacy.org
*Participants will receive the Zoom link one day prior to the workshop.
Schedule
9:00 - 9:15 am, Welcome message, and overview of our resources and self-help tools
10:30 - 11:30 am, Session II: Full range of instructional arrangements and related services (Placement: Least Restrictive Environment, Private Schools and Non-Public Agencies)
11:30 am - 12:00 pm, lunch break
12:00 - 1:00 pm, Session III: Student Discipline: Restraint and Isolation, Suspension and Expulsion. Manifestation of disability Determination Hearings, Functional Behavior Assessments, Positive Behavior Intervention Plans
1:00 - 1:15 pm, afternoon break
1:15 - 2:15 pm, Session IV: Resolving Disputes: Citizen Complaints, Due Process Administrative Hearings, and Community Complaints
