Location: MSPTI Training Lab     2 Old River Place, Ste. A  -Jackson, MS -39202

Please Register by calling 1-800-721-7255 or email info@mspti.org

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA – also called the "Recovery Act" or "Stimulus bill") provides significant one-time funding to local school districts to support special education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the IDEA Recovery Act funds “will provide an unprecedented opportunity for states, local educational agencies (LEAs) and Early Intervention Services (EIS) programs to implement innovative strategies to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities while stimulating the economy.”

This event will provide an overview of the allowable use of IDEA Recovery Act funds as well as critical information on IDEA provisions pertaining to these funds, equipping advocates with the knowledge and tools necessary to play an important role in how these funds are spent. Time is provided for questions from participants.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:

Kathleen Boundy, Esq. is Co-Director of the Center for Law and Education (CLE) and has an extensive background in education law. An attorney with CLE for more than 30 years, Ms. Boundy has played a significant role through legislation, policy development and litigation in implementing and enforcing the rights of students with disabilities, including improved educational outcomes under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and No Child Left Behind.

Candace Cortiella is Founder/Director of The Advocacy Institute, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to programs and services that improve the lives of people with disabilities. Ms. Cortiella directs the Institute’s Advocate Academy project, which provides web-based training for practicing special education advocates. A special education advocate, parent trainer, and disability rights advocate for the past 17 years, she writes and presents regularly on issues regarding students with disabilities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and No Child Left Behind.

Paul Weckstein, Esq. is Co-Director (with Kathleen Boundy) of the Center for Law and Education. Paul joined CLE full-time in 1978 as a staff attorney, moved to Washington to direct the DC office in 1981, and has been co-director with Kathy Boundy since 1990. He played a major role in shaping past and current reforms of Title I, the Perkins and School-to-Work Opportunities Acts, and other federal education legislation and has developed projects to assist with local implementation of both Title I/academic reform and vocational reform. He has written, trained, and advocated extensively in all areas of education affecting low-income students.