Background:
The Office of Administrative Hearings recent decision pertaining to OAH Case Number 2012080468 mandated six hours of Child Find Training for District personnel, including non-credentialed staff, to be conducted by qualified personnel, who are not employed by the District, or the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), no later than September 1, 2013.
The California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division, and as the State Education Agency (SEA) exercised its authority and responsibility to resolve due process hearing decisions according to Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations Section 300.152(c)(3) by reviewing the aforementioned OAH's decision and provided to the District clarification of which staff is required to receive the mandated six hours of Child Find Training. CDE, Special Education Division stated, "The District shall provide special education and administrative staff with six hours of training in the area of child find no later than September 1, 2013. This training shall be provided by qualified individuals who are not employees of the District or the District's Special Education Local Plan Area..."
The qualified individuals to complete the six hours of child find training and other special education legal services are Karen E. Gilyard, Senior Partner of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, and associates. Karen Gilyard represents California school districts and community college districts in education law and labor relations. Ms. Gilyard provides interpretation and assessment of issues arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504 complaints, public sector unfair labor practice charges, and discrimination claims. Ms. Gilyard acts as district negotiator and specializes in employment discrimination, student discipline, special education, and condemnation actions.
Ms. Gilyard received her Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1983, Ms. Gilyard received admission to the California and United States District Court, Central District of California; 1986, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. She is a member of the Los Angeles County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of California.
Ms. Gilyard has presented workshops and conferences for school administrators, teachers and staff, educational agencies, and school board members on such topics as collective bargaining, Section 504, student discipline, and special education. She has co-authored numerous summaries of recent statutes and court and administrative decisions relating to education and labor issues. She is a frequent contributor to the firm's school law publications.
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo law firm has represented the California education community for over 30 years. AALPP has been recognized for its longstanding commitment to hiring and keeping diverse professionals who reflect the demographics of the communities it serves. In September 2012, California Lawyer Magazine named AALPP as the Most Diverse Large Firm in California by percentage of equity partners.