lawprofessors

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 What if you cannot get a simple transfer for your special needs children, but believe they will not be appropriately placed otherwise?  My office was hired to assist one family who no matter what they did, could not get a transfer for their special needs children.  When my office became involved, we were able to gather enough information and communicate effectively, thereby persuading the district that the transfers should go through. Here is what one of the parents involved had to say: "I highly recommend Michelle Ball!    Michelle Ball is a fantastic education attorney. Our school district wanted to make a school placement within the district that was not in the best interest of our children (IEP, 504, and handicapped). The district was adamant that our request for transfer would not be allowed, seemingly in opposition to the law.  We felt existing law supported our requested placemen...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Have you heard the story of  Maryanne Godboldo ?  This Detroit mother made a parental decision to remove her daughter from psychotropic medication to pursue non-drug alternatives after she observed negative side effects.  When she did, the local government authorities apparently did not agree with Maryanne Godboldo's medical decision, and thereafter stormed her home with police and a SWAT  (Special Weapons and Tactics) team to take away her minor daughter, Ariana.  Maryanne's attempts to keep the police from taking away her daughter failed, but only after a ten hour stand-off at Maryanne's home in 2011.  Ariana was thereafter placed in a psychiatric facility for approximately one month. Maryanne was criminally charged and incarcerated for 5 days.  The criminal charges were later dropped.  Thereafter, after months of fighting and many court appearances, Maryanne Godboldo f...