Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates

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Join us for Advocate Late Nite tonight at 9 PM EDT! David & Cynthia will discuss the V family's challenges with their child's rare disability. Share ideas & support during this live session!

Happy Veterans Day!
Today, we honor our veterans & their families. Here’s a special message from Courtney Hansen about how COPAA supported her & military families.
Let’s appreciate the bravery of those who serve & support them.
#VeteransDay #MilitaryFamilies #Gratitude #COPAA

Happy Veterans Day!
Check out a special message from David Beinke, the Special ED Marine, as we reflect on this important day.
#COPAA #VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans

Hands of a military mother hugging her sweet child

Today, we honor our veterans and their families.
Thank you for your courage and sacrifice! Let's advocate for justice, learn from their resilience, and connect with gratitude. #VeteransDay

How One State is Leading the Way for English Learners With Disabilities Advocates hope Texas can set an example with a forthcoming bilingual special education certificate.

A new teacher certification in Texas is changing the game for English learners with disabilities! Dual expertise = better support, stronger outcomes. Inclusion starts with preparation.

www.edweek.org/policy-polit...

#ELL #SpecialEducation #EdEquity #DisabilityRights

A picture of a blue background with text that reads Advocate Late Night, COPAA logo

Join us TONIGHT at 9 PM EDT for Advocate Late Nite!
David & Cynthia welcome Robin Petty to discuss SSI in 2025, approval rates, & more. Don’t miss this essential session!
Info: impactdisabilitylaw.com/ssa-oho-hear...

YouTube video by COPAA - Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates Virtual Town Hall - To Protect Children with Disabilities & Protect IDEA

The rights of children with disabilities are under threat.
Watch a National Town Hall where parents, educators & advocates discussed actions you can take to protect children with disabilities.
youtu.be/IU18odnhesY

#ProtectChildrenwithDisabilities
#ProtectIDEA
#DontTurnBackTheClock

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Registration is OPEN for the 28th Annual COPAA Conference/Hill Day happening on March 3 - 8, 2026!
Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation!
www.copaa.org/page/2026-co...

#COPAA2026 #HillDay #RegistrationOpen #JoinUs

UPDATE: Program to help teachers aid students with disabilities loses federal grant The latest education news updates from EdSource.

The federal grant for Partnerships for Effective Practices in Transition and Inclusion a program helping teachers support disabled students was canceled for using DEI language. Punishing inclusion efforts hurts the kids who need it most.
edsource.org/updates/prog...

#SpecialEducation #DEI

Disability Advocates Cry Foul Over Dismantling Of Special Ed: 'Our World Is On Fire' Efforts to gut the U.S. Department of Education's special education office and move the program to another agency are already causing "immediate harm" to students with disabilities, advocates warn.

Despite recent staff reductions at the ED, Denise Marshall, our CEO of COPAA, encourages families to keep filing discrimination complaints with the Office for Civil Rights. Your voice matters—stay informed and advocate for change!
Read more in the article. - www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/11/06/d...

A Small Change in Special Ed. Rules Could Affect Equity, Accountability, Advocates Warn The paperwork change could make it harder to track equity in special education, advocates said.

Our CEO, Denise Marshall, was featured in Education week!
Check out the full article for more!
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...
#EquityInEducation #Advocacy #DeniseMarshall #COPAA

Blue & green Learning Path

COPAA’s is excited to announce a new Learning Path — Protecting FAPE — designed to deepen your understanding of the laws, strategies, and best practices to ensure every child receives a Free Appropriate Public Education.

Registration link : learn.copaa.org/p/protecting...

A picture of Dorene Philpot, Attorney

Join us for Advocate Late Nite tomorrow at 9 PM EDT!
David and Cynthia will host a session titled "Ten Things I Wish Advocates Would Emphasize with Parents" featuring Dorene Philpot, Attorney

Light blue background with text that reads Virtual Town Hall TODAY at 4 PM ET! along with the logos of disability support groups.

🚨 Join Us TODAY! Join our Virtual Town Hall at 4 PM ET to advocate for children with disabilities and support IDEA.
Let’s make a difference together! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Federal special education layoffs could hit Maine schools hard, educators warn • Maine Morning Star Recent staffing and funding cuts at the federal office that oversees special education are raising alarm among Maine educators and advocates who are warning that the impact on the state’s already vuln...

🚨 Maine has the 3rd highest % of students with disabilities—but the federal shutdown is putting their support at risk. Layoffs + stalled funding threaten teacher prep & behavior intervention programs statewide.
mainemorningstar.com/2025/10/27/f...
#SpecialEd #MaineSchools #OSERSfirings

NEW Live Webinar: Understanding Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) - Free for COPAA Members Join Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, & Denise Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO, for a one-hour live webinar on UPL Date: Nov 5th, 3 - 4 pm ET Registration: https://learn.copaa.org/p/upl

NEW Live Webinar: Understanding Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) - Free for COPAA Members
Join Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, & Denise Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO, for a one-hour live webinar on UPL
Date: Nov 5th, 3 - 4 pm ET
Registration: learn.copaa.org/p/upl

🚨 Join Us Tomorrow! 🚨 Join our Virtual Town Hall TOMORROW, November 4, 2025, at 4 PM ET to advocate for children with disabilities and support IDEA. Let’s make a difference together! 👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ROjpXDrPS76Hm2y3udCXbg#/registration

🚨 Join Us Tomorrow! 🚨
Join our Virtual Town Hall TOMORROW, November 4, 2025, at 4 PM ET to advocate for children with disabilities and support IDEA.
Let’s make a difference together!
👉 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Special ed services show up more explicitly in November levy ballot language Seven school districts seek more than $3.3 million in supplemental levy funds to pay for special education services.

Idaho school districts face a growing gap in SPED funding.

This November, levy ballots will ask local taxpayers to help close it making services for students w/disabilities more sustainable & equitable.
www.idahoednews.org/elections25/...

#IdahoEducation #SpecialEdFunding #Election2025

A picture of Daniel Garza , Atty

Join us for Advocate Late Nite tonight at 9 PM EDT!
David and Cynthia will host "Advocate Mentoring: A Journey That Feeds Your Purpose" featuring attorney Daniel Garza.
The first Sunday of each month is dedicated to Advocate Mentoring.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Join a Virtual Town Hall to Protect Children with Disabilities & Protect IDEA. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the w... Co-Hosted by COPAA, Center for Learner Equity, The Arc, Council for Exceptional Children, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Congress

Join a Virtual Town Hall
To Protect Children with Disabilities & Protect IDEA
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 @ 4:00 pm ET
Register for the Town Hall. URL: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Cuts at the Education Department Put Military Families’ Most Vulnerable Kids at Risk The recent Department of Education layoffs that have diminished the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services are likely to exacerbate challenges that military families already face.

Cuts to the Dept. of ED could unravel IDEA protections for kids w/disabilities. Without federal oversight, states may ignore standards leaving military families who move often without consistent support. Our service members deserve stability, not uncertainty.
www.military.com/feature/2025...

COPAA's CEO quoted in an article by Disability Scoop @disabilityscoop.bsky.social
Read more in the article -

Despite Hold On Ed Department Layoffs, Special Education Worries Run High A judge indefinitely blocked the U.S. Department of Education from laying off nearly every staffer in its special education office, but advocates say concerns about the future of the program remain.

A judge indefinitely blocked the U.S. Department of Education from laying off nearly every staffer in its #SpecialEducation office, but advocates say concerns about the future of the program remain. #disabilities

White background, with an icon of a blue laptop and green play button. text reads Learning Center Webinar - NEW

NEW On-Demand Webinar: Operation Smooth Transition: Maneuvering Special Education for Military Families (Free for COPAA Members)

Registration: learn.copaa.org/p/operations...

Act Now! Tell Congress to Protect Our Children! Reinstate Department of Education Staff Now.
For more information, -https://www.copaa.org/news/news.asp?id=712312

Town Hall Announcement Cuts to Special Education Protections Are Happening Now!   Join a Virtual Town Hall To Protect Children with Disabilities & Protect IDEA Tuesday, November 4, 2025 @ 4:00 pm ET Register for the Tow...

Virtual Town Hall to Protect Children with Disabilities &Protect IDEA
In partnership w/disability allies, we invite you to participate in a Virtual Town Hall next Tuesday, November 4, 2025 @ 4pm ET.
Please register docs.google.com/document/d/1...

NEW Live Webinar: Understanding Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) - Free for COPAA Members Join Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, & Denise Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO, for a one-hour live webinar on UPL Date: Nov 5th, 3 - 4 pm ET Registration: https://learn.copaa.org/p/upl

NEW Live Webinar: Understanding Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) - Free for COPAA Members
Join Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, & Denise Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO, for a one-hour live webinar on UPL
Date: Nov 5th, 3 - 4 pm ET
Registration: learn.copaa.org/p/upl

Judge extends order barring the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the shutdown A federal judge in San Francisco has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from firing federal workers during the government shutdown. U.S.

A district court has granted a preliminary injunction pausing the shutdown RIFs. (She had previously granted a temporary restraining order that expired today.) That means that the RIFs will be paused during the litigation unless an appellate court overturns the PI.
apnews.com/article/shut...

The Arc of Ohio Podcast | Courtney Hansen

The Arc of Ohio Podcast with Courtney Hansen, Special Education Advocates, COPAA SEAT 1.0 Instructor and State Policy Coordinator.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of IDEA learns more about current cuts at ED and what you can do.

open.spotify.com/episode/2Iht...

Shared Principles & Commitment to the Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities Please sign the Shared Principles document by Friday, October 17, 2025. The principles are listed below and can also be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qMA8vfjcirgnk25z8wGYdhavaLNet...

PLEASE SIGN: CORE Principles to Protect and Support Students with Disabilities-New Deadline: Fri. Oct. 31, 2025 Midnight/ET
LINK TO SIGN-ON: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...