Agenda / Content Covered

1. IEP Evaluations and Eligibility
   9:00 - 9:50, Nadia D. Vann
   
   1. Child Find Essentials
   2. IDEA Eligibility Categories
   3. Best Practices for Difficult-to-Place Disabilities
   4. Documentation Essentials
   5. Evaluation and Eligibility Disputes: Legal Best Practices
2. Creating Legally Defensible IEPs: A Step-by-Step Guide
   9:50 - 10:45, Nadia D. Vann
   
   1. Overview of the Development Process: Who Should be Involved?
   2. Functional Performance and Academic Achievement
   3. Measurable Annual Goals
   4. Special Education Aids and Services
   5. Participation in Mainstream Classrooms
   6. Appropriate Measurable Post-Secondary Goals
   7. Legally Appropriate IEP Modifications
3. 504 Plan Eligibility: What are the Determining Factors?
   11:00 - 12:00, Gregory M. Meihn
   
   1. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: What it Does and Doesn't Cover
   2. Disability Definition Ambiguities
   3. Documenting the Evaluation Process
   4. Substantial Limitations What is the Bar?
   5. Impairment Determinations: What Can and Cannot be Considered?
   6. IEP, 504 Plan or Both - Unravelling Difficult Eligibility Situations
4. The Anatomy of an Effective 504 Plan: Overcoming Legal Ambiguities
   1:00 - 1:50, Gregory M. Meihn
   
   1. How to Address Disabilities
   2. Essential Accommodations and Modifications
   3. Placement in Least Restrictive Environment
   4. Red Flags to Avoid
5. Avoiding Common IEP Errors and Mistakes
   1:50 - 2:40, Robert A. Lusk
   
   1. Predetermination on IEPs
   2. IEPs With No Meaningful Educational Benefit
   3. Failure to Document Changes in Placement Decisions
   4. Failure to Properly Include Parents in the Process
6. Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) Essentials
   2:55 - 3:40, Robert A. Lusk
   
   1. When MDRs Are and Are not Required
   2. Required Participants for MDR Meetings
   3. Essential Information to Consider
   4. Determining if Conduct Was a Manifestation
7. Discipline and Expulsion Best Practices
   3:40 - 4:30, Robert A. Lusk
   
   1. Providing Services During Disciplinary Removal
   2. Changes in Placement
   3. Multiple Suspensions and Denials of FAPE
   4. Due Process Hearing Essentials

ROBERT A. LUSK is an attorney, arbitrator and mediator with Lusk Albertson PLC, where he has more than 30 years of experience practicing education law, and labor and employment law. In 2003, Mr. Lusk founded the Education Law Practice at Clark Hill, PLC, and served as its practice group leader until 2010. That year, with Mr. Albertson, he founded Lusk Albertson, PLC. Mr. Lusk is frequently invited to write, teach and speak on education law topics. He has served as adjunct professor of education law at Grand Valley State University and Oakland University. Mr. Lusk is a trained and certified general civil mediator and a panelist on the American Arbitration Association’s Employment Panel. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the National School Board Association’s Council of School Attorneys and the Michigan Council of School Attorneys. Mr. Lusk earned his B.A. degree from Michigan State University and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Wayne State University.

GREGORY M. MEIHN is a partner in the Detroit office of Foley & Mansfield. Mr. Meihn focuses his transactional and litigation practice in the core areas of employment and school law. He also has an active construction law practice. Mr. Meihn represents and consults with insurance companies, cities, townships, municipalities, schools, and employers on employment and labor issues, including but not limited to discipline, harassment, terminations, unions, discrimination, unemployment, employment hiring practices, non-competition agreement, and issues involving Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, ADA, and related statutes. He earned his B.B. degree from Eastern Michigan University, his J.D. degree from the University of Toledo Law School, and his M.S. degree from Michigan State University. Mr. Meihn is a member of the American Association of Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Inns of Court-Flint Chapter, the Genesee County Bar Association, the Michigan Defense Trial Association, the Michigan Nature Association, the Michigan Professional Ethics Committee, and the State Bar of Michigan.

NADIA D. VANN is an attorney with Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris, PLC, where she practices in the areas of Medicaid, disability, elder law, estate planning, estate and trust administration and special education. Ms. Vann spent 19 years working as a special education teacher and teacher consultant in several school districts in southeast Michigan and is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. She earned her M.A. degree in special education from the University of Detroit Mercy, her B.A. degree from Purdue University and her J.D. degree from Michigan State University College of Law.