We interviewed Christine Lai, co-founder and executive director of the Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.), a non-profit based out of Connecticut that advocates for children in the special education system throughout the tri-state and beyond. We wanted to find out more about this great organization, and help inform parents how to contact them.
What is S.E.L.F.’s mission?
Special Education Legal Fund’s mission is to level the playing field for families in need with children in special education. S.E.L.F. provides knowledge and resources to empower families to full, effective, and independent advocacy for their students.
What specific service/resources does S.E.L.F. provide?
S.E.L.F. provides grants for legal support from a qualified special education attorney to families in need with children in the special education system through its flagship Legal Assistance Program. S.E.L.F. also provides parent training & education to families all over Connecticut, New York, and beyond through its Parent Education webinar series and through its Proyecto de Educación Especial, a groundbreaking special education, civics, and communication program offered to ESL/ELL families in seven languages (Spanish, Creole, Portuguese, Polish, French, Chinese, and Arabic) both in person and on our website. S.E.L.F. also provides agency staff training to nonprofit organizations who serve members of our community on a variety of special education topics and issues. And finally, S.E.L.F. through the pilot Advocacy Support Program (Fairfield County, Connecticut only) provides grants to families in need of advocacy support for their student with an IEP or 504 plan. S.E.L.F. provides grants for legal support from a qualified special education attorney to families in need with children in the special education system through its flagship Legal Assistance Program. S.E.L.F. also provides parent training & education to families all over Connecticut, New York, and beyond through its Parent Education webinar series and through its Proyecto de Educación Especial, a groundbreaking special education, civics, and communication program offered to ESL/ELL families in seven languages (Spanish, Creole, Portuguese, Polish, French, Chinese, and Arabic) both in person and on our website.
What communities do you serve?
S.E.L.F serves families in need, defined by adjusted gross income levels of below 300% of the federal minimum poverty line, in Connecticut (all school districts) and Westchester County. Students must have an IEP to apply to the Legal Assistance Program and an IEP or a 504 Plan plus residency in Fairfield County to apply to the Advocacy Support Program.
Pro-tip for a parent in search of help with a special needs child?
Always email your school-based team – never discuss anything in person unless you follow it up with an email, which gives you a time and date stamp of your communication plus provides proof that you made a request or statement. In meetings, always ask to record your CSE meeting – if you are afraid of looking too confrontational, you can say that you have trouble taking notes during your meeting and you need to review afterward to make sure you got everything right. Or you can say that your husband/wife/partner can’t attend the meeting and you need to record for him/her/them.
What’s the easiest way for parents to contact you?
Email christine@spedlegalfund.org
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