About the Webinar: Across the nation, states are developing innovative ways to respond to and prevent conflict. This webinar will showcase three early resolution practices that have been adopted by SEAs in Washington State, Georgia, and Louisiana. These practices attempt to minimize conflict by increasing the capacity of systems and individuals to meaningfully collaborate and problem solve. Participants will hear Scott Raub speak about Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Parent Liaison position and how it is leveraged to prevent and resolve disputes, and improve other aspects of their dispute resolution system. Parris Taylor will share information about the Louisiana Department of Education’s Early Resolution/Informal Complaint Policy, as well as how it intersects with formal complaints. In addition, Anne Ladd will explain Georgia Department of Education’s Parent Mentor Partnership and how it is utilized to enhance communication and collaboration between families, schools, and communities to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and their families. Panelists will share details about these early resolution options, as well as successes and lessons learned.
About the Presenters:
Scott Raub is the Special Education Parent and Community Liaison for the State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). He serves as a resource for information about the special education process and dispute resolution options to students, families, educators, and community members throughout the state. Scott has worked with students and families in education throughout his entire career. His past professional experience includes working in a variety of educational and non-profit settings as both a counselor and an attorney. His interest in the intersection between education and civil rights is what eventually led him to focus his work on the rights of adults and students with disabilities. Scott earned his law degree from the Washington College of Law at American University and is a member of the California State Bar. He has bachelor’s degrees in political science and communication studies, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of San Diego..
Parris A. Taylor is an attorney working for the Executive Counsel of the Louisiana Department of Education and the coordinator for the Department’s dispute resolution program for students with exceptionalities. Mr. Taylor was a former IDEA administrative law judge and deputy general counsel with the State of Louisiana’s Division of Administrative Law before joining the Department. Attorney Taylor started as a general practitioner with the Tyson, Pitcher, Avery, & Cunningham Law Firm before taking a position as a child support attorney with the State of Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services. He later transferred within DCFS to join the Bureau of General Counsel’s legal staff where he also worked as a child protection attorney with the Office of Child Welfare. Attorney Taylor served as founding chair, co-chair, and is currently a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Children’s Law Committee and is also a member of the LSBA’s Legal Services for Persons with Disabilities Committee. He was an invited speaker for special education workshops at the National IDEA Academy, continuing legal education seminars, and for community stakeholders and non-governmental organizations throughout Louisiana. He’s a past member of the Louisiana State Legislature’s Child In Need of Care Task Force, the Louisiana Child Support Guideline Committee, and was a past-president of the Louisiana Association of Administrative Law Judges. Mr. Taylor graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore. Later he attended and graduated from the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, where he recently served as an adjunct professor teaching administrative law.
Anne Ladd is the Family Engagement Specialist for the GaDOE, Division for Special Education. Ms. Ladd successfully navigated special education services for her own son who graduated in 2017. Her family's experience fuels her passion and informs her approach to Family Engagement. Ms. Ladd is a Graduate of the University of Georgia and was a 2016-2017 GaLEND trainee at Georgia State University. Previous to her current position, Ms. Ladd was a parent mentor in Georgia’s largest school district for 8 years.