Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE)
Address:
1012 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
Washington,, DC 20003
Phone:
(202) 678-8060
Website:
http://www.aje-dc.org/
The mission of Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) is to educate parents, youth, and the community about the laws governing public education, specifically for children with special needs. We seek to empower youth and parents to be effective advocates and youth to self advocate to ensure that children receive an appropriate education. It is also our mission to make the public aware of the consequences of institutional negligence of children with or without disabilities and to promote school accountability.
Direct Services/Individual Advocacy
AJE provides direct services to parents in the form of individual representation in situations when the intervention of a third party is necessary to ensure that appropriate services are being made available to a family in need. We provide assistance at IEP meetings, schools meetings, and disciplinary hearings.
Community Education
Parents of children with special needs have a desire to know more about their child’s disability, its impact on their family, and the support that is necessary for the child to thrive and grow – physically and intellectually. We provide community education through our workshops and seminars which are free to the families we serve. You can view our monthly trainings under our Events tab above.
District of Columbia Parent Information Network (DC PIN)
DC PIN provides children and youth (ages 0-26) with special needs and their families with family navigation, care coordination, community education and individual advocacy.
Parent to Parent
Our Parent-to-Parent program provides parents with leadership training and a supportive network to peers. An important component of the Parent to Parent program is our Parent-to-Parent Support Group. This support group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 pm– 7:00pm. Each session focuses on information sharing, and learning about advanced topics related to special education. All parents are welcome to attend. Please call AJE office to inquire about the location of monthly support group meetings.
Parent Training and Resource Center
The Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) is a comprehensive resource library and training center. The center offers parents information on the laws of special education, specific disabilites, the latest research on treatment and interventions, and adaptive technology.
Transition Advocacy Project
The Transition Advocacy Project (TAP) provides youth ages 13-26 with support, advocacy, information, and training in order to improve their involvement in their educational planning.
Visit our Programs page to learn more: http://www.aje-dc.org/programs
AJE List of Workshops and Trainings
Parent’s Rights and Responsibilities
This training will educate parents about their rights and responsibilities to be experts in advocating for their child. Through this training, parents will understand their power and responsibility to make educational decisions for their child according to the law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Understanding Special Education*
This workshop introduces parents to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and prepares parents for special education. The materials cover LEA responsibility and parent rights as well as what to expect at an IEP/MDT meeting. This training stresses the importance of cooperation with schools in order to ensure children receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
How to Identify a Child with Special Needs*
This workshop will cover “Child Find” and the role of educators in identifying children who are suspected of having a disability, as well as pre-referral interventions to help each child reach their full potential. Participants will learn about the various techniques in identifying children who are suspected of having a disability and the steps of the Special Education process. Parents will also be educated about their child’s entitlement to a “Free Appropriate Public Education” (FAPE) regardless of the nature or severity of their disability.
Are you Ready for the Next IEP Meeting?
This workshop is designed to simulate real-life IEP meetings. Participants will receive a brief overview about the Special Education Process while the remainder of the workshop will be about practicing professionalism, critical thinking skills, and assertiveness.
Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy*
This workshop will provide parents with information on defining advocacy, how to improve advocacy skills, and how parent advocacy can lead to systemic changes.
Behavior Problems in Children, Is this a Learning Disability?
Participants will learn that not all behavioral problems are created equal. The training is designed to explore the relationship between behavioral outbursts and academic consequences to determine whether a child has a learning disability.
Communication Disorders
This training breaks down the various disabilities associated with communication disorder and provides characteristics of a disorder.
ADHD, ED, OHI…what does it all mean?? Cracking the Disability Code
This workshop examines the 13 disability classifications under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and their relationship to the medical world.
Early Literacy: The Role of Parents
This training provides parents with the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to help their children develop strong literacy skills during the early years of life. Parents play a key role in helping their children learn to read. Whatever their child’s level of ability, through this training parents will learn strategies to help their child develop important literacy skills.
Effective Communication & Active Listening
Participants will learn how to improve their communication skills to be successful at interacting with others. This training will provide listening and communication techniques, including tips for written communication and how to address disagreements between parents, and agencies or service providers.
Working for Change: Using the Power of a Personal Story*
Through this training, participants will become more knowledgeable about how to use personal stories in more effective ways and as an advocacy tool. When told well, personal stories can be used as a strategy to educate, inform and empower others to improve the outcomes for children with special needs. This training is designed to teach key components of effective stories.
A Parent’s Guide to Bullying Prevention
This training is designed to teach parents strategies on how to prevent and respond to bullying, including cyber bullying. Participants will learn about warning signs of bullying and how to effectively address bullying concerns with their child’s school. A special emphasis is placed on children with disabilities. Parents will also be informed of how to educate their child about bullying and methods to respond to bullying situations.
From School to Adult Life-Transition Planning*
The workshop will provide parents a guide for preparing their teen for the next stages of life-adulthood. The training will cover areas in education, insurance, and housing.
Getting and Keeping the First Job*
This training is designed to help families, caregivers, and professional understand the realities of today’s work world so they can help youth with disabilities earn competitive employment. Participants will learn the importance of disability self-awareness, how families can help youth with career planning, and strategies to navigate resumes, job interview, and job accommodations.
Mediation*
Participants will learn how voluntary mediation can effectively resolve special education disputes within the school system. This workshop will review mediation requirements under IDEA and effective strategies during mediation.
Laws Protecting Persons with Disabilities
This training will provide an overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Rights for the English-Language Learner*
The rights of non-English or limited English parents and students in schools are protected under federal and state laws and regulations. Parents need to know what to expect from schools, what to ask for, and who to contact when they have questions or concerns. This presentation provides a basic overview of laws and regulations governing the rights of individuals of limited English proficiency so parents can protect their interests.
School Discipline and Positive Behavior Intervention
This training will cover school disciplinary practices and trends, effects of Zero-tolerance policies, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) approach and other forms of school-based behavior interventions. Participants will also learn about the importance of partnership between a child’s home and the school in order to have successful positive behavior interventions.
Student Support Team (SST) Process*
Participants will learn the role of the SST prior to utilizing the special education process for students who are suspected of having a disability.
The Journey to Adulthood, What Parents Need to Know (Sexuality)*
This presentation will provide basic information and strategies to help parents begin a discussion about this important but often uncomfortable topic with their sons and daughters.
Transition from Part C to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act
Participants will learn what to expect for their special needs toddlers once they turn 3. The training will review parental rights and responsibilities and identifying the right contact for this transition.
Understanding and Developing Positive Behavior Intervention Plans
This training will inform parents about how to obtain a positive Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for their child. Participants will also learn about Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and how they can be used to develop effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP).
Understanding and Drafting the Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP)
Parents and professional will learn their role through the IFSP process and how to create a successful plan. This training is designed to explain the process for children ages 0-3 with special needs to receive services.
Understanding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
This training is designed to educate participants on privacy rights and confidentiality when it comes to school records. This training is appropriate for school workers and parents.
Who Do I Call When…?*
Through this training, participants will learn about when to advocate for their child and how to identify viable solutions. Participants will also learn about developing a business-like relationship with their child’s school, crisis management and how to prepare for crisis.
School Discipline, What You Need to Know
This training is designed to explain DCPS and Public Charter School disciplinary codes. Participants will learn what rights youth and parents have when a child has been suspended or expelled from school.
New to AJE…Health and Social Services Topics!
What is A Medical Home?
This training will define the term, explain the function, and identify the key players within a medical home. Participants will learn the importance of having a supportive medical home for children with special healthcare needs and the relationship between the medical home and school.
Working Effectively With Doctors
This presentation will provide tips and tools for creating positive working relationships between families and doctors and improve health outcomes for individuals with special needed by:
– Promoting collaboration on the health care team
-Improving communication
-Developing health care plans
Vaccinations, Immunizations, and Your Parental Rights
This training is designed educate parents and caregivers of the latest vaccination and immunization requirements for children and youth in the District of Columbia. This training is in collaboration with National Children’s Hospital.
Understanding Asthma
This training provides a tutorial about some of the causes for asthma, how it affects the body, treatment options, and demonstration on how to administer medication. This training is in collaboration with IMPACT DC.
Epilepsy…Living an Active Life
This training will define, recognize, and assist a person diagnosed with Epilepsy. The participants will leave the training with an action plan about managing seizures and living an active life. This training is in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation Metropolitan Washington.
Emergency Preparedness
This workshop is designed for families with special needs children. Participants will learn clear, practical, cost-effective strategies to prepare for life’s emergencies whether natural disasters, terrorism, or medically related. This training is for the whole family, parents are welcome to bring their children. This training is in collaboration with Inclusive Preparedness Center.
Healthy Living and Active Lifestyle
This workshop is designed for women and girls to think critically about their current health (e.g. mental, physical, and emotional) and develop an action plan on ways to improve their quality of life. Action plans will list real-life, practical, and cost effective methods of change.
DC Health Insurance
This training will provide an overview of available health insurance plans that are available for DC residents. This training is in collaboration with DC Healthy Families.
Are you Depressed?
Depression affects 18.8 million Americans annually. This workshop will provide an overview of the different types, how to recognize symptoms, and where to go to access help.
Juvenile Arthritis
This training is an introduction to Juvenile Arthritis. Participants learn to identify symptoms, treatment options, resources available, and accommodations within the school system.
Understanding ADHD
This workshop will provide participants with and overview Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): symptoms, treatment, and school accommodations
*Indicates Workshops to be provided in Spanish
Visit our Trainings page to learn more: http://www.aje-dc.org/training
Additional Location:
Advocates For Justice And Education
4201 Georgia Avenue
Washington D.C. 20011
Phone: (202) 265-9102 or (202) 265-1730
Fax: (202) 291-2225
Questions? Email us using our Contact Form: http://www.aje-dc.org/contact
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