*Looking for Special Education Parent Resources for Remote Learning and More (2020) - please go here. We will update the below Special Education Toolkit soon.*
Getting a proper individual education plan (IEP) in CPS and making sure it's implemented properly can be difficult.
Below is a list of resources if you're having problems including a tracking worksheet, a link to sample forms you can use, a list of advocates, who may be able to attend IEP meetings with you, and attorneys who may be able to help if you are unable to resolve the issue via going up the chain of command at CPS.
IEP tracking form
Download the IEP tracking form
This worksheet is an attempt to make tracking of lost minutes easy and specific. You should ask your child's teacher to confirm where and when your child's IEP minutes are being met, specific names of the staff members who are providing the service and the number of students for which the special education teacher or paraprofessional is responsible at any time they are assigned to meet the minutes set out in your child's IEP. A review of the IEP on your part can help bring clarity to the question of whether or not your child’s IEP minutes are being met.
Resources & Sample Forms from our Special Education Forum, November 16
Video of 11.16.2017 Forum can be found here.
Below are 2017-18 special education advocacy tips, sample forms for evaluation requests, document requests, confirmation of communication, request for IEP compliance and more.
Special Ed Tip Sheet for Parents and Advocates
Take Action to Support CPS Students with Special Needs
Attachment A: Request for Initial Evaluation Letter Template
Attachment B: Related Services - Meeting Info and Email Template
Attachment C: IEP Minutes Tracking Form for Parents 2017/2018 School Year
Attachment D: IEP Non-Compliance Email Template
Attachment E: Records Request Letter Template
Attachment F: Conversation Follow-up Email Template
UPDATE 12.1.18: The ISBE Inquiry Letter: Deciphered for Parents
Want to spread the word about this Toolkit to other parents of children with IEPs or 504s? Please use the below:
Special Ed Toolkit Flyer .pdf: Email or print & share with other parents who need these resources
We also have two fact sheets on assessment, including standardized testing, of special education students created as part of our ongoing work on assessment with FairTest and the Chicago Teachers Union:
Resources
Non-profit organizations
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Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children (must be referred by medical source)
180 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2110 Chicago, IL 60601, Phone: 312.605.1974 -
Equip for Equality (must meet eligibility requirements)
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60602, Phone: 312-341-0022 -
JCFS Legal Advocacy Center
216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60606, Phone: 312.673.2740 -
Legal Assistance Foundation (must meet eligibility requirements unless student is a foster child through DCFS)
120 S. LaSalle, Suite 900 Chicago, IL 60606, Phone: 312.341.1070
Advocates
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Access Living: Rod Estvan
115 W. Chicago, Chicago IL 60654, Phone: 312-640-2100 -
Educational Advocacy and Consulting
50 S. Main Street, Suite 200 Naperville, IL 60540, Phone: 630 624-3784 -
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
20 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 300 Chicago, IL 60604, Phone: 312.939.3513 -
Jean Kulczyk
102 Willow Dr. Waukegan, IL 60087, Phone: 224.730.0303, Email: [email protected] - MFTD Waiver Families
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North Shore Pediatric Therapy
950 Lee Street Des Plaines, IL 60017, Phone: 877.486.4140 -
Pam Labellarte from Advocacy to Action
231 Bingham Circle Mundelein, IL 60060, Phone: 847.401.5053, [email protected]
Attorneys (some do low bono and sliding scale)
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Law Offices of Charles P. Fox
355 West Dundee, Suite 209 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, Phone: 847.205.9897 -
Children’s Law Group
142 E Ontario St, Ste 525 Chicago, IL 60611, Phone: 312-265-1055, Email: [email protected] -
Christine K. Wee, Esq.
1155 W Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL 60614, Phone: 617.869.2983, Email: [email protected] -
Matt Cohen & Associates
155 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 715 Chicago, IL 60601, Phone: 866.787.9270 -
Mauk & O’Connor
1427 W. Howard Chicago, IL 60626, Phone: 773.262.2377 -
Law Office of Maureen Graves
Phone: 714.378.5100 Email: [email protected] -
Sabrina Shafer, Esq., Breaking Autism, Inc.
Phone: 847.849.7917 Email: [email protected] -
Law Office of Sandra E. Strassman Alperstein
113 N. McHenry Rd. #134 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, Phone: 847.293.9311 -
Whitted, Whitted,Takiff & Hansen
3000 Dundee Rd. Northbrook, IL 60062, Phone: 847.564.8662
More (Updated 2.1.21)
- Inadequate special education services
- Bullying or harassment
- Suspension, expulsion, or other discipline
- Barriers related to COVID-19 and remote learning
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: 773-800-0338
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