Education Legal Rights Project

The Education Legal Rights Project (ELRP) – a component of Legal Aid’s Legal Aid for Collier Kids Project – provides legal representation to students with needs that are not being met in the school system because of a learning disability, physical, mental or emotional disability, other health impairment, or other disabling condition under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The IDEA ensures that all children with disabilities affecting their education have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living.

The ELRP provides free education services on behalf of eligible children in need that include:
 

• Assisting students in receiving timely testing, IDEA eligibility determinations, and proper placement
• Ensuring the student receives appropriate and effective special education services in a timely manner
• Attendance and representation of students at Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings
• Representation at Administrative hearings and Due Process hearings and in litigation when necessary
• Obtaining independent psychological evaluations from professionals outside the school system
• Referrals to outside social service organizations, as appropriate