Ennis Britton's On the Call Jeremy Neff and Erin Wessendorf-Wortman

Sidestepping parental input before the IEP meeting can have you falling into a big rain puddle of trouble. Jeremy and Erin discuss the legalities and implications of predetermination, including a recent case from Maryland where the district’s case was bolstered by the documented and constant discussion that items on the IEP were only a draft and could be changed at the meeting. They share several practical tips to help foster collaboration and ensure meaningful parental participation, which in turn, will have your team blooming like May flowers.



Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there! 

Erin and Jeremy step up to the plate to provide a breakdown of a district's obligations for Child Find under IDEA and Section 504 when escalating behavior occurs. They analyze a recent case from Tennessee where a district prevailed, but the court cautioned against the dangers of ignoring clear signs of a disability under IDEA. The discussion highlights the importance of documentation and training, as well as setting up systems to monitor potential triggers to improve your Child Find RBI.
Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there! 

Navigating the complexities between a 504 that is not working and Child Find under IDEA can feel like walking a very thin tightrope.  Erin and Jeremy discuss the legal framework surrounding The Rehabilitation Act, how to differentiate the disabilities covered by 504 versus IDEA, and a District’s obligations when the 504 plan falls short. The discussion includes a recent case in Ohio that serves as a cautionary tale and highlights the importance of regularly reviewing the data to ensure the 504 plan is being implemented correctly. As always, they provide some thoughtful tips to help you stay balanced during the process so you can get to solid ground. 
Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there! 

Graduating from high school is a significant milestone for any student, but for special education students, exiting from services can sometimes trigger last-minute deferment requests from parents. Jeremy and Erin discuss what is - and isn't - required of schools under IDEA, what constitutes a diploma in some circumstances, and considerations the IEP team should keep in mind as the student progresses toward graduation. They share a recent case from New Jersey that defined a diploma under state law and reinforced the district’s actions in recognizing the diploma. They provide ideas to help lay the groundwork early for the transition which will have you tossing your cap high at the end of the year! 
Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there! 

Just when you think you have earned the scout badge in IEP writing, a parent asks for the methodology which can feel like pouring water on the perfect campfire you just built! In this episode, Erin and Jeremy discuss how methodology can be selected and the requirements for including it in the IEP under IDEA. The discussion includes a case from Maine where a District learned a hard lesson when it failed to include methodology in the IEP and adjust it based on lack of progress. They highlight the importance of reviewing data and actively listening when requests come in so you and the team successfully take home all the badges.  
Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there! 

Determining a District's obligations under IDEA when a student is removed from their outplacement facility can have you feeling like you're balancing on a tightrope between the space-time continuum. Erin and Jeremy discuss the blackletter law related to LRE and Stay Put when this type of situation arises. They share the details of a recent COVID-era case from Washington D.C. where the court determined Stay Put didn't apply since the District did not make the change and the staff acted in good faith to attempt to locate a new facility. The discussion includes suggestions for building strong communications with outside placements and how to balance safety concerns and the risks of non-compliance so you will be able to fly smoothly across the continuum
Meet us in Savannah? Ennis Britton’s Jeremy Neff and Pam Leist will be speaking at the LRP National Institute in Savannah, Georgia from May 5th through 8th. This is their third year running at the conference! Pam’s session will navigate confidentiality and Jeremy plans to share insights on successfully transitioning from IDEA services. Learn more at LRPInstitute.com. Hope to see you there!