Services

Youth Services -
Special Education Advocacy Project

This project offers direct legal representation to foster and dependent youth with special education needs through direct representation, continuing legal education, and community empowerment.

Direct Representation Available to Foster and Dependent Youth

Staff and volunteer attorneys assist these youth in meeting their educational needs and goals by reviewing educational records, attending Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Team meetings, and, as needed, filing for mediation and Due Process hearings.

Continuing Legal Education

The Project holds periodic training workshops in the area of education law. Through these workshops, SDVLP volunteer attorneys may benefit from the training and expertise of attorneys in San Diego who specialize in education law. Non-attorney youth advocates are also welcome to attend these events.

Community Empowerment

In addition to direct representation, community empowerment is another significant goal of this project. SDVLP accepts invitations to hold training and legal advice clinics at venues in the community that serve foster youth and their advocates. These clinics focus on empowering foster youth, foster parents, and other advocates to know the educational rights of youth with special education needs.

If you know a student who is a foster or dependent youth who is struggling academically, please call (619) 235-5656 x123 for free legal assistance. You are also invited to call this number if you would like SDVLP to organize a legal clinic at your group home, foster parent support group, or other forum dedicated to the empowerment of foster youth. If you are an attorney or law student interested in volunteering, please call the above number to discuss ways in which you can get involved with this exciting and worthwhile program.