special education

Special Education is another process which can be overwhelming to learn what your rights are and what steps you can take if you feel your child’s rights have been violated. It can also be difficult for parents to know if they should seek special education advocacy services or handle a contentious situation themselves.

Disability Rights has a fantastic free resource on the regulations that govern special education. The resource is named Special Education Rights and Responsibilities (SERR) and is an invaluable tool. The format is question and answer and gives the Education Code to reference where the answer can be found. It also has sample letters in the Appendices Section to help you with your requests.

Special Education Advocates

ABA Innovations
Imari Nicoloff, Ed.D (Educational Consultant)
P: 760-702-7280 Email: fapeforall@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/specialeducationadvocacy/
ABA Innovations is a full-service Educational Consultation business.

Advocates for Angels
(909) 841-2600
http://advocatesforangels.com
Advocates for Angels provide experienced advocates/consultants to work with families to ensure their child receives an appropriate education to meet their unique needs in the least restrictive environment. Will attend IEP, 504 and SST meetings, conflict resolution and mediation, participate in team meetings and case conferences, conduct classroom and DIS observations, and work with families navigating compliance procedures. Advocates for Angels focuses on ensuring that children with IEP’s receive an inclusive education with emphasis on a transition plan that will prepare them for an independent future.

American Advocacy Group
2082 Business Center Dr Ste 235, Irvine
877-762-0702
http://www.americanadvocacygroup.com/
Assist with first-class, affordable advocacy services that benefit individuals diagnosed with developmental and physical disabilities and their families. Whether you are new to the process, or your family member has being denied a service by an agency, our goal is to take quality time to get to know you and your family, and to offer you options that will best meet your family’s needs. Provides advocacy services in the areas of: In-Home Supportive Services(IHSS), IHSS Appeals, Conservatorship, Educational Advocacy, and Due Process Representation.

Sandi Ames
parentscan@yahoo.com
951-351-6580
Sandi Ames provides students and their families with special education advocacy support as a consultant. Sandi focuses on collaborating with the student’s IEP team   while providing parents with the assistance they need to ensure their child receives the services and support necessary for them to develop to their fullest potential. Sandi also started a non-profit CAN (Collaborate/Advocate/Navigate) to expand her ability to provide training to educators, therapists, community partners, and to self-advocates themselves. Workshops are offered at no cost on a wide variety of topics, including Parents as Partners, navigating the IEP process, Self Determination, Person Centered Planning and Legal Rights and Resources.  
Specialties: Trainer, IEP Consultation and Support, Resource Coordination, Parent Support  

AOTS Group
41593 Winchester Rd. Suite 200, Temecula  (951) 251-4437
29015 Garland Ln, Menifee (951) 667-3477
www.aotsgroup.com
AOTS can help you understand, develop and review these plans to ensure your child has an opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education and has the supports they need to be successful in school. AOTS can help you identify local providers to evaluate your child; can attend IEP meetings and more. Services all of Riverside and San Diego County, parts of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Brian Allen
(661)878-8538 (661) 942-8186 or (661) 264-7351
advocate_dude@yahoo.com
Educational Advocate with over 18 years of experience.

Peter Attwood-Special Education Advocate
951-897-1721
peter.attwood@hotmail.com

California Department of Education
1 (800) 926-0648
www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/fp/
Provides technical assistance information and resources for parents, school districts, advocates, agencies and others of procedural safeguards regarding students between ages 3 and 21 with disabilities and their educational rights. Online publications available.

Community Access Center
6848 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 150, Riverside (951) 274-0358
74-390 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, (760) 568-9301
www.ilcac.org
Provides the following Services: Individual Advocacy, Information and Referral, PARADIGMS, The Technology Evaluation Computer Center, Self-Advocacy” training, ADA compliance reviews, Mental health counseling in American Sign Language, Caregiver Training. Will attend IEPs or IPPs for Regional Center.

Dr. Elena Watson 
951-977-8000
jen@abc4iep.com
https://abc4iep.com
ABC4IEP provides the experience, quality, and affordable advocacy services that every family deserves. Special Education professionals with over 30 years experience. Providing advocacy and training to help parents understand the special education process.

Hope Consulting and Advocacy
Linda Higgins
13657 Norton Ave Chino, CA 91710
909-525-0763
HopeHCA@icloud.com

https://www.facebook.com/HopeConsultingandAdvocacy/?ref=bookmarks
Specializing in Advocacy for Special Education or we can work together on a consultant basis. We also provide Advocacy for IHSS services.

Dr. Imari Nicoloff
760-702-7280
fapeforall@gmail.com
Educational Consultant working in the Coachella Valley for over 22 years with M.A. in Special Education and Doctorate in Counseling/Psychology

Know IEPs?
Owner: Dr. Sarah Pelangka, Ph D, BCBA-D, E.S.C.
(310) 597-0060
http://www.knowieps.com
Know IEPs? mission is to ensure a collaborative and trusting experience takes place between families and the district, allowing for a positive IEP experience.

Morton Advocacy Group
(951) 230-8850
www.mortonadvocacygroup.com
Samantha Morton has served the local special needs community as an educational advocate and public speaker for over 15 years. She draws on her years of experience in the legal profession and her personal experience as a parent of children with special needs to bring invaluable expertise and advocacy for families in need.  Offers educational advocacy as well as IHSS advocacy.

Sandra Marzullo, Special Education Advocate
985 Kendall Drive #193, San Bernardino
(909) 856-6418 or email marzullos@aol.com
Provides a number of services including educational record review, assessment request, parent training, IEP or 504 meeting attendance, assistance in developing goals, assistance in filing compliance complaints, assistance with regional center issues.

State Council on Developmental Services (SCDD)
685 East Hospitality Lane, Suite 125, San Bernardino
(909) 890-1439
www.scdd.ca.gov
Established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need. Provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities; advocates for coordinated, comprehensive community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance and works to ensure full access to these services.

Susan Moroff, Special Education Advocate
http://www.iser.com/moroffadvo-CA.html
(760) 727-2473
Serving San Diego , Riverside and Orange County California. Can help develop an Individualized Educational Plan to obtain social, emotional and educational goals, assessments in areas of suspected disabilities, receive services specifically designed for your child’s special needs and help determine the best placement for your child. Free Consultation.

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
www.taskca.org
(951) 328-1200 Inland Empire
We help families understand their rights, the processes for requesting assessments, strategies for preparing for the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and transition planning, among other things. We do not attend IEPs on parents’ behalf, but provide information, training, and resources so that parents can better help themselves. 

TODEC
https://todec.org/resources/
(951) 943-1955
TODEC ensures equitable access to information, immigration legal services, community education, advocacy, and civic engagement for limited and non-English speaking people including immigrants and migrant workers throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, and Imperial counties.

Special Education Attorneys

Adams Esq
3895 Brockton Avenue, Riverside
951 686-6899
riversideadmin@adamesq.com
www.adamsesq.com
Attorney Jean Murrell Adams opened the law firm of Adams Esq, a Professional Corporation, to provide high quality legal service at no cost to qualifying parents of children with special needs. Her own experience fighting for the rights of her exceptional child prompted her to dedicate her career to helping other parents. Adams Esq focuses exclusively on special education law. With locations in Los Angeles, Oakland, Riverside and Sacramento, these attorneys are committed to helping children with disabilities obtain a free and appropriate education throughout California and Nevada.

Amster Law Firm
1976 S. La Cienega Blvd. #C-353, Los Angeles
(213) 444-6028
www.amsterlawfirm.com
Represents individuals with special needs in special education and community services matters, including regional center and In-Home Supportive Services. Amster Law Firm is committed to a person-centered approach. Age, race, gender, income, educational level, and/or level of English proficiency should not determine which services an individual with special needs receives.

Augustin Egelsee
www.ockidslaw.com
8141 East Kaiser Boulevard Suite 315 Anaheim Hills, CA 92808
(714) 602-1498
More than 30 years of combined experience representing children with special needs in special education and juvenile justice. Helps families throughout Southern California, including the counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego as well as Northern California, including San Luis Obispo, San Francisco and Sacramento.

California Special Needs Law Group – Richard L. Isaacs

100 Bayview Circle Suite 100 Newport Beach, CA 92660
(714) 251-6530
www.csnlg.com
Provides legal services at an affordable cost. Fills the void for families who can’t afford a typical attorney but who also do not qualify for legal aid services. Will educate clients on the IEP process so they feel emboldened and confident to address their child’s educational needs without an attorney in the future.

Counsel for Kids
122 Stallion, Suite G, Irvine
www.counselforkids.comwww.counselforkids.comwww.counselforkids.com
(626) 340-6024
Offers free file reviews and consultations to any and all families currently experiencing educational concerns. Assists with the representation of students throughout Due Process Proceedings, including Resolution Sessions, Mediations, and Due Process Hearings. We also provide representation at IEP meetings, Manifestation Determinations, Disciplinary/Expulsion Proceedings, and Admission Hearings.

Desert Law Group – Kimberly T. Lee, Attorney-at-Law
74-916 Highway 111 Indian Wells, CA 92210
Phone: (760)-776-9977
http://www.leelawyers.com
Special needs trusts planning.

Disability Rights California
1 (800) 776-5746
www.disabilityrightsca.org
Formally Protection and Advocacy, Federally mandated, non-profit organization established to protect and advocate for the human, civil and service rights of Californians with developmental disabilities. Visit site for the online version of “Special Education Rights and Responsibilities”. Publications are available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Spanish.

Disability Rights Legal Center, at College of Law, University of LaVerne
320 East D Street, Ontario
1-866-999-3752
Free and low-cost education advocacy program. Services provided in English, Spanish, ASL and other languages. The Education Advocacy Program represents families of students with disabilities in special education proceedings, including Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) meeting, mediation due process hearings, and government complaints. We also provide monthly Education Advocacy Workshops to teach people about special education and an Education Advocacy Manual, a step-by-step guide to assist parents in advocating for their children.

Economou Law Group
536 E. Rowland St., Suite B, Covina, CA 91723
(626) 765-9607
http://economoulawgroup.com
Economou Law Group is dedicated to providing high attention representation to its clients. Free consultations are offered for all matters handled, including both educational matters and estate planning matters. Have extensive experience through cases with all school districts in the Orange County, Los Angeles, Antelope Valley, Riverside and San Bernardino areas.

Heritage Legal
777 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 328, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Phone: 760-993-6734
https://heritagelegal.com/
Special Needs trust planning

Inland Counties Legal Services Inc.
(888) 245-4257
Offices in Blythe, Indio, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville
www.inlandlegal.org
ICLS is committed to securing justice and equality for low-income persons who otherwise would not have access to the judicial system. Offers high-quality legal assistance through advocacy and community legal education. ICLS is a non-profit 501c(3) corporation serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties and receives federal, state, and local county funding.

Jeffrey A. Gottlieb, Esquire
www.specialeducationattorneyatlaw.com
(562) 699-2412 (LA)
(949) 419-6196 (OC)
(951) 240-5610 (IE)
Offers special education services, adoption services for special needs children, Limited Conservatorship of Special Needs Adult, family law and vendor resources.

Law Office of Christopher A. Poulos
(626) 960-9373
101 N. Orange Ave., Suite C, West Covina
capoulos.com
Practice focuses on the rights of persons with developmental disabilities and their families.  He assists families in creating supported living arrangements, Special Needs Trusts, Conservatorships, Limited Conservatorships, SSI, estate planning, administrative hearings against Regional Center, advising on the ABLE accounts and more.

Law Office of Janate Valenzuela
(760) 684-3361
info@calspedlaw.com
Special education and civil rights attorney based in the Inland Empire. This office assists in all areas of special education including, but not limited to, attending IEP meetings, representation at due process hearings, and representation for any related civil litigation matters. We offer free consultations.

Phone: (760) 684-3361

Law Office of Jeremy J. Ofseyer
74000 Country Club Drive, Suite H-1, Palm Desert, California 92260
888-979-5639 or 760-346-3355
http://www.ofseyer.com/
Practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trust Administration, and Probate Court proceedings involving Trusts, Estates, and Conservatorships.
Our practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trust Administration, and Probate Court proceedings involving Trusts, Estates, and Conservatorships.

Law Offices of Liu & Naime
8291 Utica Ave., Suite 100A, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 941-4114
http://socalfamlaw.com
Full-service law firm practicing in the areas of Dependency Law,  Family Law Personal Injury Law and Special Education Law. Offers free consultations and have extensive experience in the area of special education law

Law Offices of Leonard Cravens
45902 Oasis Street, Suite C, Indio, CA 92201
(760) 342-1810
http://www.cravenslawindio.com
Hablamos Español. Conservatorship, Guardianship, power of attorneys, wills, and criminal law.

Law Offices of Vivian McPayah-Obiamalu, Esq.,
20955 Pathfinder Road, Suite 100
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 843-6578
http://www.vmcpolaw.com
Practices in a number of areas including Special Education Law. Services include IEPs, Mediation, Due Process, harassment and discrimination.

Law Offices of Sarah M. Gross 
222 N. Mountain Avenue, Suite 106 Upland, CA 91786
(909) 204-2793
sarah@sarahgrosslaw.com
https://www.sarahgrosslaw.com
At the Law Offices of Sarah M. Gross, Inc., our mission is clear: to provide excellent, student-centered legal representation focused on the unique needs of special education students throughout Southern California. We know how difficult it can be to know what steps to take when your child isn’t receiving the educational services they need, on top of everything else life can bring to a parent of a child with a disability. That is why we are committed to providing each client thorough, thoughtful, and compassionate legal representation. We specialize in detailed review and analysis of each client’s needs and legal issues, prompt and frequent communication, and educating parents so they are involved and understand the process every step of the way.

Mark Woodsmall, Attorney at Law
Woodsmall Law Group, PC
2076 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena
(626) 314 -6832
www.woodsmalllawgroup.com
Provides experienced, practical and sophisticated representation in matters related to the educational and community access rights of the special needs child.  Practices in the areas of Special Education, IDEA & Section 504 Claims, Rights Under the Lanterman Act/Regional Center, and Civil Litigation.  Offers free 1 hour consultation.

Office of Clients Rights Advocate (OCRA), Inland Regional Center
3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite B-100
Ontario, CA 91764
(909) 383-1133
As a client of Regional Center, the Clients Rights Advocate (CRA) may be able to help answer questions or refer you to another resource in administrative hearings in regards to schools, Social Security, Medi-Cal, neglect, rehabilitation, mental health, discrimination, Regional Centers, In-Home Services, private insurance, guardianship, abuse, day care, criminal matters, personal autonomy, and conservatorship and Alternatives. The Advocate decides which cases they will represent based on the merits of the claim, the ability to advocate for yourself, availability of OCRA resources, and other advocacy sources.

Palm Desert Law Group, APC
74-710 Highway 111, Suite 102, Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.674.7175
https://palmdesertlaw.com/
Special needs trust planning. At Palm Desert Law Group, APC, we can assist you with comprehensive planning for your children with special needs. We can show you ways to obtain the assistance you need today and help ensure your child with special needs will be well cared for when you are no longer able to serve as the primary caregiver yourself.

Rios Eubanks
8605 Santa Monica Blvd PMB 36132 West Hollywood, California 90069
323-530-0560
admin@riosebanks.com
www.rioseubanks.com
Speaks Spanish and English. Can attend IEP and 504 meetings, advise you of your rights and how to enforce them, represent parents in administrative procedures, mediation and settlement negotiations, and due process hearings. and State and Federal level litigation. Also provides consultation and advocacy services for Regional Center issues such as understand what resources are available, and help you get what you need.

Slovak Baron Empey Murphy & Pinkney SBEMP Attorneys LLP
1800 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.322.2275
74785 Hwy 111, Ste. 105, Indian Wells, CA 92210
760-322-9240
https://sbemp.com/practice-areas/special-needs-disability-healthcare-access/
SBEMP’s Special Needs & Elder Law practice group provides representation and advocacy for individuals and families with special needs due to disability or age, providing a broad range of services, including but, not limited to Special needs trusts (SNT), Guardianships & Conservatorships Trust, guardianship, and conservatorship accountings, Access to federal and state disability based programs, Medicaid planning; Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance coverage and Special Education.

Special Education Kids Attorney
(949) 257-2310
spedkidsattyasst@gmail.com
Se habla Espanol
www.specialedkidsattorney.com
Special educational kids attorney is passionate about helping low income children with special needs. We believe that every child is entitled to a FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). It is so important that special needs kids receive the special education and related services and placement they need to meet their unique disability related needs, so that they can grow academically and social-emotionally and have the opportunity to thrive in life. For years it has been our honor and privilege to represent these amazing children and do whatever we can to help them achieve their potential. Our office handles cases throughout the Inland Empire and San Diego County.

Tsadik Law
1009 Wilshire Blvd. Suite #228, Santa Monica, CA  90401
213-677-0999
consult@tsadiklaw.com
https://tsadiklaw.com/los-angeles-special-education/
Tsadik Law is a special education law firm, with an office based in Los Angeles, Ca. Our goal is to provide expert legal representation to legal guardians and parents of children with special educational needs. We strive to get our clients the proper educational accommodations with their school district. We have a long history of representing clients in the special education field and we look forward to speaking with you.

Wrightslaw
www.wrightslaw.com
Online information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. A consultation with Pete Wright, Esquire available for a fee.

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This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion