Advocating for Students with Disabilities: Understanding Students’ Legal Rights and School District Responsibilities
Presented by Ariel S. Zitrin, Esq., ODCP
1 HOUR | SELF-PACED | NON-INTERACTIVE | RECORDED APRIL 2025
Join Ariel as she provides an insightful overview of the local education agency’s legal obligations to support students with special education needs pursuant to federal and state laws. Ms. Zitrin has not only represented both school districts and parents in her twenty-year legal career, but she also brings a unique perspective as a parent who went through the early intervention and CPSE processes with her own child. From this webinar, you will learn the concept of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and explore the key requirements of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Additionally, Ms. Zitrin will discuss procedural timelines, stakeholder roles in IEP meetings, and dispute resolution processes. Designed for parents, educators and advocates, this seminar aims to empower participants with knowledge to effectively advocate for their clients and/or children.
This course is for Early Childhood Teachers, Therapists, and other Professionals who work with young children.
PURCHASE FOR $19Objectives
The participants will be able to…
-> Describe the necessary components of a free appropriate public education.
-> Identify strategies to effectively advocate for students with disabilities during the evaluation process.
-> Analyze an IEP and determine whether it meets state and federal educational requirements.
Agenda
1. Overview of Special Education Legal Obligations
2. Who Qualifies as a Student with a Disability?
3. Key Concepts and Processes
4. The IEP (Individualized Education Program)
5. Available Educational Programs in NY
6. Additional Considerations
7. Addressing Disagreements
RUNTIME: 1 HOUR, 10 MINUTES
This Webinar Offers The Following CE Certificate/Credits
1.0 CTLE CONTACT HOURS
New York State Education Department, Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)
Provider Code #23394
Approval Period: 3/29/22 - 3/29/2027
Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders and Level III Teaching Assistants.
1.0 NYSED SW CONTACT HOURS
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work (NYSED SW)
Provider Code #0365
Approval Period: 8/31/25 - 8/31/28
Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Social work professionals should contact their regulatory board to confirm course approval for continuing education credits.
1.0 ASWB CE CREDITS (INTERMEDIATE)
Association of Social Work Boards
(ASWB)
Provider Code #1366
Approval Period: 3/30/22-3/30/25
Young Child Learning, #1366, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/22-3/30/25. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 General continuing education credits.
1.0 NASP CE CREDITS
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
Provider Code #1111
Approval Period: 4/1/23 - 4/1/25
This workshop provides NASP CPD credit for school psychologists. Young Child Learning is approved by NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) to offer continuing education for school psychologists. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Contact Young Child Learning with any questions or concerns at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 or via email at [email protected].
How to obtain your certificate:
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You MUST watch all the video lessons. Afterwards, you will automatically be given access to the post-test and the evaluation form.
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You MUST pass the post-test (75% passing grade). You are able to take the test multiple times until you pass.
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You MUST answer and submit the evaluation form.
You will receive your certificate via email within 48 hours after fulfilling the above requirements.
Contact [email protected] for any issues/concerns.
Speaker's Biography
Ariel Zitrin is the former First Deputy Director of the New York City Department of Education’s Special Education Legal Unit. In her role, Ms. Zitrin oversaw the day-to-day operation of the unit and supervised a staff of over 200 attorneys and paralegals in their investigation, settlement and/or litigation of all special education complaints brought against the DOE by parents seeking funding for private school tuition and special services. After twelve years with the DOE, Ms. Zitrin made the difficult decision to leave. Shortly thereafter, in January 2024, she started AZ Law & Consulting, PLLC, a firm specializing in education law matters and organizational development consulting services for education institutions.
Ms. Zitrin earned her J.D. from Pace University School of Law and her B.A. with Distinction from the University of Delaware. Ms. Zitrin is also a certified Organizational Development Professional.
Host's Biography
Dr. Scott Mesh is the Director of Young Child Learning and the CEO and Co-Founder of Los Niños Services which serves 2,000 young children with special needs each year through homecare and center services. He is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with young children and their families and is an expert on assessing young children for developmental disabilities and autism. He has helped thousands of parents over the years make the transition to gaining help for their children through early childhood special education services. He is a leader in early childhood development and working effectively with parents.
Cancellation Policy
All purchases of recorded courses are final and non-refundable. Should you have any questions about your registration, access, or technical questions please contact our Administrator, Cari Laroza, at this email [email protected]. Thank you!
System Requirements
You can access this course from various devices and platforms, on both PC and Mac desktops/laptops, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. Our system requirements for these follow below.
Minimum system requirements
- Browser: The latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera for desktop/laptop
- A broadband connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps
PC specific requirements
- Platform: Windows 8.1 or higher with the latest updates installed
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Video: Graphics output capability
- Sound: Sound output capability
Mac specific requirement
- Platform: Mac OS X 10.12 or higher with the latest updates installed
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Video: Graphics output capability
- Sound: Sound output capability
Mobile specific requirements
- iOS 15.0 and above
- Android 7.0 and above
Grievance Policy & Procedure
Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants.
The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 7 days after purchase of the webinar. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint.
For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.
Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at [email protected].
Special Accommodations or Requests
Individuals in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. Include name, contact info, webinar details, and accommodation needs. Our team will review requests and respond within 7-12 business days. Confidentiality is maintained. Compliance with ADA is assured.
Requests for special accommodations must be made prior to purchasing the webinar.
