This Week at the DRLC: May 5 - 9, 2008

Executive Training- Paula Pearlman, DRLC Executive Director, attended the Central District's 9th Circuit Judicial Conference in La Quinta, where she discussed emerging legal issues with the Central District lawyer representatives, policies and practices related to the functions of the United States District Court for the Central District, and the DRLC's work in the federal courts in the greater Los Angeles area including the Inland Empire. Paula also attended the New Executive Director Training through the Management Information Exchange, a nonprofit that promotes leadership, management and fundraising in legal service agencies serving low income clients.

Annenberg Foundation Training- On May 7th - 8th, Paula Pearlman attended the Annenberg Nonprofit Leadership Seminar at the California Science Center. During this two day intensive training, Paula learned strategies for maintaining an effective Board and staff who share a common understanding of the DRLC's vision for the future. Also discussed were techniques for using organizational resources to effectively advance our mission and interests with corporate, government and nonprofit sectors. Special thanks to the Annenberg Foundation for their commitment to training nonprofit executives.

DRLC Receives Grant Awards- The DRLC has received three grants from the California, Department of Rehabilitation, to provide self-advocacy training designed to empower people with significant disabilities to advocate within their own communities on issues concerning Employment, Housing, and Communications Access. For more information on these trainings, or to see if your community organization qualifies for these trainings, please contact John Longoria, Director of Community Outreach at 213-736-8365.

EAP Parent Workshops- Anna Rivera, Education Advocacy Project (EAP) staff attorney, recently conducted the final, in a series of four, Education Advocacy Parent Workshop. These free workshops are offered on the first Saturday of every month and run in a cycle of Basic 1 through  Basic 4, with each workshop building off of the information given in the previous one.  During this final interactive workshop, Anna discussed how to draft compliance complaints, request a due process hearing, and fielded excellent questions from parents and advocates attending. Attendees shared strategies they have successfully used when advocating for their children's rights, and also discussed what tools have not worked. >> More Information on the Education Advocacy Project

Education Policy Advocacy- The DRLC submitted a letter to the California State Assembly Committee on Education and to the Honorable Sally Lieber, California State Assemblywoman, to express our strong support for AB 2717. The bill would put the burden of proof at special education administrative hearings on the school district, rather than the parents. The Education Advocacy Project also sent a flyer to parents asking them to support HR 4188 (the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act), a bill which would allow for the recovery of expert fees in administrative hearings, a burden many parents cannot carry. >> More Information on DRLC Policy Advocacy

Welcome New Staff- The DRLC welcomes new staff attorney Sage Reeves to the Civil Rights Litigation Project. Sage is a 2001 graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Law, and formerly a staff attorney with Protection & Advocacy Inc. >> More Information on the Civil Rights Litigation Project

Spotlight on Volunteer Attorney- The DRLC congratulates volunteer attorney, Tim Lykowski of Fox Group Legal, for repeatedly committing his time and skills to helping parents of children with disabilities through the DRLC special education advocacy pro bono program. Tim has taken on challenging special education cases and has empowered parents and school districts to help children reach their fullest educational potential. Read more about Tim on the DRLC website's Spotlight on Volunteer Attorney. >> More Information on the Pro Bono Program

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Save The Date!

Don't Miss the CLRC at the Y-ME Walk to Empower- Stop by the CLRC information booth this Sunday at the Y-ME Walk to Empower in Redondo Beach. The Walk to Empower is an inspiring event that raises funds to support Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization's programs and services that are offered free of charge to anyone touched by breast cancer.

Sunday, May 11, 2008
Veterans Park
309 Esplanade
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
More Information

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This Sunday is Mother's Day!

May 11th is Mother's Day!- Honor important women AND support the DRLC just by shopping through iGive.com. Up to 26% of each purchase you make is donated to the DRLC! It doesn't get much easier than this! It's free to sign up, and there are almost 700 stores to choose from! >> More ways to support the DRLC

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Links

>>DRLC WEB SITE: http://www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/  
>>WEB SERVICES: http://www.abstraktdesigns.com
>> SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE: To change or remove your e-mail address from the Good News Report, or for more information, e-mail Amanda.Hoehn@lls.edu.

>> Disability Rights Legal Center is located at:
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
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