Teenage school friends having fun piggybacking outdoors

Special Education Leadership provides strategic assistance, developed over many years, to organizations that serve children who are unable to access an appropriate education in the public-school system. SEL helps these organizations secure the support they need to fully serve these children.

mother and child hugging and smiling

Our Goal

Children with disabilities are not a liability in our public-school system; they are an asset in need of investment. Unfortunately, many public schools are not given the necessary funding, or do not comply [for many reasons] with their legal responsibility to educate these children. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 1975) is a federal law that guarantees all disabled children an appropriate and individually designed education so they can become productive adults in our communities.  SEL will assist your organization as you serve these children; including those that are unidentified as disabled, and children of poverty and/or color whose families cannot influence public school districts. The key to an appropriate and fully funded placement for children served by your organization depends on clear and objective information, an understanding of legal mandates and procedures, and in-place strategies to work effectively and cooperatively with public school systems.

The SEL Philosophy

For over 40 years, Michael Zatopa and Lawrence Siegel have each represented parents of disabled children, as well as multiple private organizations that provide residential and special education services by contracting with public school districts. They understand that parents must navigate a complex system with their local school districts.  The vast majority of families do not have the financial resources to access an appropriate education for their children.  Mike and Larry believe that there are no “enemies’ in this process – public school personnel did not get into education to harm students - and therefore rely on a respectful, but determined approach that works most effectively to influence the public institutions whose legal mandate is to serve these children.

  • Michael Zatopa
  • Lawrence Siegel
Disabled little boy standing in walker smiling and happily looking at camera with bright blue sky and clouds in the background window

Our Services

  • Strategic Planning
    First we will obtain an overview of your organization: how and who your organization serves, your long-term goals and the obstacles you face.  Second, we will help you develop a Strategic Plan so your organization can quickly and efficiently obtain the special education placement and services for the children you serve.
  • Training
    We will train your staff about the legal and procedural aspects of the IDEA, including a focus on the importance of, and referral for educational and clinical evaluations, IEP and placement sequence, informal strategies for resolving placement disputes and due process procedures to challenge school district denial of eligibility or services.
  • Access to Clinical Evaluators
    We will assist your organization to locate and access independent & professional evaluators crucial in identifying the nature and extent of each child’s disability.  The evaluation is central to ensure access to educational, mental health, and other services necessary for a student to function educationally and socially.
  • Strategies to Access Supplemental Funding
    We will work with your organization to explore ways in which funding for evaluations and placement/services can be secured, whether through, medical insurance, other public agencies, private organizations and on-line fundraising.  We believe this not only serves the student and your organization but reduces the financial burden on school districts under the IDEA.