HOFFMAN ESTATES – State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) will host an education seminar, “Navigating Due Process in Special Needs Education” on Wednesday, April 11th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Schaumburg Township Administration Building on 1 Illinois Boulevard in Hoffman Estates.
“Parents of special needs students face mounting challenges, this seminar will give them an opportunity to better understand and discuss their rights as parents,” Crespo said. “Due process has a significant effect on parents, educators and families and this seminar will discuss due process and the changes in both state and federal law."
The seminar will feature legal and scholastic experts who will address the changes in special needs education. The Arc of Illinois, Schaumburg Township and other panelists will discuss the rights parents have and due process laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and how families and schools can partner to meet students’ educational needs.
Crespo has been a major advocate for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill, passing legislation last year that created the Mental Health Task Force, and exempting residents with terminal disabilities from jury duty. The Hoffman Estates lawmaker is currently the Vice-Chair of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives and committed to ensure that all Illinois children have equal access to a quality education.
“Starting a dialogue on due process is important so we can work together to educate our youth, and it begins by connecting parents with advocates and educators,” Crespo said. “All children deserve to have their educational needs met, and I will work to promote communication between families and educators to ensure those settings are achieved.”
All interested parties are welcome to join the discussion. For more information, or to RSVP to reserve a seat, please contact Crespo’s constituent service office at (630) 372-3340.