Caroline Nelson,
Attorney and Counselor at Law, PLLC
Dispute Resolution Supporting Collaboration
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The Basics
I provide legal advice and counseling, intermediation, mediation, strategic planning, systems navigation, speaking events and training for adults who love and support children with special needs.
For Parents:
Legal Advice & Counseling
Client Education
- Legal rights and obligations for children and adults with disabilities
- Special education/504 process
- Intersection of special education, 504, GT, Advanced Placement, Dyslexia, ELL
- Schools, systems and behind-the-scenes realities
- Practical implications for the individual situation
Guidance, Coaching, Strategies & Support
- Preparing and advocating in meetings
- Handling communications with school professionals
- Navigating public education and other systems
- Building student-centered working relationships
For IEP/504 Teams:
Facilitation & Intermediation
A different model of resolving school-based disputes
- Assumes parties have the same motivation (student success) but may have different perspectives and constraints
- Finds and affirms common interests and acknowledges divergent ones
- Unifies the team around a shared problem
- Welcomes options without judgment to find creative solutions using realistic resources
- Promotes intentional, respectful communication so all parties can be both honest and heard
- Nurtures trusting working relationships for confidence with future challenges
What to expect
- Advice and coaching for each client separately, and the team as a whole
- Identical explanation of legal rights and obligations to all parties
- Emphasis on playing by the same rules
- Neutral facilitation of IEP/504 team meeting
- Renewed and lasting working relationships