Support Parents’ Education, Advocacy, and Knowledge (SPEAK)

Students will facilitate small group counseling sessions with parents of children with disabilities via Zoom. Students will conduct an intake interview using a provided guide to gather relevant information about the specific issues the student with a disability is facing in school. In collaboration with supervising attorneys, students also will educate parents about some of their special education rights and how to access appropriate services for their children. Students will assist parents in making a plan to advocate for their children’s improved services.

Organization

Mithoff Pro Bono Program

SPEAK is a student-led pro bono effort administered by the Mithoff Program.

Project Details

Project Start Date

February 2025

Approximate hours of work requested
6 hours, including training, review of self-study materials, and finalizing work product after counseling sessions; after training, students will be assigned to cases on a rolling basis as they are received and have 2 days to 2 weeks to complete case work depending on case status
Training
Wednesday, February 12, 4pm-6pm (Goodwin Conference Room, CCJ 1.312)
Skills used
Community education/outreach; client interviewing/counseling; legal analysis; document preparation
Project location
Virtual via Zoom
Number of student volunteers requested
10
Class year preference
1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Required skills
Spanish language ability is required for some, but not all volunteer openings; students with a background in teaching are strongly encouraged to volunteer; students with an interest in social justice, education, and/or disability law are strongly encouraged to volunteer