Responsible for implementing the Texas Education Agency's Special Education Information Center (SpEdTex) project. Support the activities and purpose of IDEA Part B and IDEA Part C. Provide accurate and timely information to stakeholder questions about Special Education rules and regulations (E-mail, phone, web-based chat). Accurately enter data into the Jira system. Present and represent SpEdTex at conferences and parent events. Assist stakeholders with questions pertaining to the Texas Education Agency's Supplemental Special Education Services / Senate Bill 1716 grant program. The $100 million-dollar student-centered program provides online spending accounts for students with significant cognitive disabilities and complex educational needs to purchase educationally relevant goods and services. Department averages 2207 calls from Stakeholders monthly. Maintain social media platforms. Participate in team projects, long-term planning and project development implementation. Provide input into budget planning. Participate in collaborative meetings (TEA, ESCs, Advisory Council).

Responsibilities include conducting telephone intake interviews with parents concerning educational rights violation complaints; educational record review, maintaining working case files for Texas Education Agency (TEA) filings issued; development and maintenance of department budget; development of district policies related to Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE). Also negotiate and develop contracts for all district IEEs. Responsible for demonstrating knowledge of complex state and federal rights protection statutes and education law; negotiation, mediation, and district representation in Admission Review and Dismissal Committee (ARDC) meetings; resolution meetings, mediations and due process hearings. Also responsible for managing, investigating, responding and closing of TEA parental complaint cases, resulting in reduced costs, reduced negative publicity and a reduced number of cases escalating to formal mediation or litigation. Assist administrative and campus staff to ensure that decisions agreed upon in ARDC meetings, mediations and hearings are correctly implemented and monitored. Assist campus staff in planning for and completing complex ARDC meetings. Developing district wide presentations; providing training on effectively working with parents, working with TEA cases, understanding legal issues and compliance requirements; developing and providing focused technical assistance training for staff and parents within the district. Extensive experience in interfacing with the TEA, Early Childhood Intervention, the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Assistive Rehabilitation Services, Dallas Metrocare, Disability Rights Texas, Federation of Families, Advocating Solutions for Kids, Parent to Parent Advocacy Incorporated, Legal Aid of North West Texas, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Bracket & Ellis, P.C., Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C., Cirkiel and Associates, P.C., and Fisher and Phillips, LLP.

Responsibilities included receiving rights violation complaints and providing appropriate information, materials, and/or referral to all contacts not eligible for case level services; determining eligibility for case level service within agency policies and priorities; assisting in the development of intake resources; client data input; educational and medical record review; negotiation, mediation, and providing education and training sessions. Responsible for investigating allegations of illegal disciplinary removal, the implementation of FAPE, illegal seclusion or restraint within a public education or state facility, non-inclusion of a student within the least restrictive educational environment. Assisted clients with receiving the use of AT devices, AT services, appropriate AT assessments, and the implementation of AT recommendations if needed in the educational setting. Assisted clients with appropriate transition planning and services for the improvement of post-educational and vocational placement. Responsible for assisting clients at both ARDC meetings and TEA mediations. Responsible for working with clients in the remediation of complaints related to services/care not provided for the individual client. Responsible for monitoring the Richmond State School for violations of individual client’s rights. Assist with placement within group home facilities (discharge to least restrictive environments), involvement & consent to treatment, and the monitoring of core services provided to the client. Dissemination of information to clients pertaining to community and state services thorough the use of the state/city wide company intake line. Also responsible for demonstration of knowledge of complex state and federal rights protection statutes and disability law. Work areas included the public education system, managed care facilities, Medicaid services, housing discrimination, community services, transportation, and accessible public accommodations.

Responsible for identifying, assessing, diagnosing, preparing goals and objectives, and treatment plans for students with speech and language disorders. Responsible for selecting therapy techniques and strategies to be used during therapy, providing direct therapy and the presentation of written reports concerning student progress. Also responsible for speech-language and hearing screenings, testing, counseling, maintaining clinical records, preparing clinical material and participation in parent-faculty ARDC meetings.

Responsible for preparing goals and objectives, treatment plans for students, selecting therapy techniques or strategies to be used during therapy, providing direct therapy and presentation of written reports concerning student progress. Responsible for speech-language and hearing screening and testing, maintaining clinical records, preparing clinical material and paperwork, and participation in ARDC meetings.