Darlene Hemerka, Esq., Staff Attorney, Public

Transcript:Darlene Hemerka, Esq., Staff Attorney, Public:
Darlene Hemerka, Esq., Staff Attorney, Public Interest Law Center Paige Joki, esq., Staff Attorney, Education Law Center March 2020 Supporting Educational success of Students who are Pregnant and/or Parenting Darlene Hemerka, Esq., Staff Attorney, Public Interest Law Center Paige Joki, Esq., Staff Attorney, Education Law Center March 2020 Who We Are The Public Interest Law Center (“The Law Center”): uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure their access to fundamental resources and services. Education Law Center-PA (“ELC”): is a non-profit, legal advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania. Legal Disclaimers and Disclosures The information that follows is not legal advice It is a summary of the current law in this jurisdiction on selected topics Legal claims are very fact-specific Always contact an attorney when faced with legal questions There is no potential conflict of interest or financial interest by the faculty and/ or planners of this activity to be disclosed Neither Organization has provided commercial support for this activity There is no endorsement by our organizations or the University of Pittsburgh or ANCC of any commercial products discussed / displayed in conjunction with this educational activity The entire session and the participant feedback tool must be completed to earn contact hours Our agenda Background The Numbers Key Rights Educational Experiences of Students’ Who Are Expectant and Parenting Numbers High-level overview of the legal landscape Current Gaps in Specific Educational Supports for Expectant and Parenting Young People Proven Solutions + Proposed Recommendations Overview of Students Rights in Transition Planning and Services Components of Transition Plans Examples of Transition Services Information about the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (“OVR”) Practice Tips and Key Takeaways The Numbers In Philadelphia, approximately 6,000 young people are transition age (14-21), and entitled to transition services in their IEPs The City of Philadelphia’s rate of youth who are parents is 35.2 per 1,000 young people Nearly double the rate in the Commonwealth as a whole Higher than the national average Students may also face other intersectional barriers, such as experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, or being a student in care Right to an Education In Pennsylvania, a student has the “right” to attend public school from age 6-21 years old, or until she