• From Aide to Advocate: Jeanine Leach’s Journey

  Audio Information Session from CSNLG

  

Welcome to today’s podcast, where we dive deep into the world of special education and advocacy with none other than Janine Leach. Janine’s an expert in making sense of IEPs, decoding school jargon, and—let’s be honest—helping families navigate the sometimes bumpy road of special needs support. So grab a coffee, maybe a notepad, and get ready for a fun and insightful chat with someone who’s been in the trenches, making real change for kids who deserve nothing less.

Let’s get started!”

Bio

Jeanine Leech, M.A.., M.S. With over 24 years of working in special education, Jeanine knows what it takes to create the most inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. She started in the field as an instructional aide for a child with autism and knew immediately that this was her calling. She has served as a teacher, behavior specialist, program specialist, and special education and student services director. Jeanine possesses extensive training in IDEA IEPs (Special Education), Section 504 Plans (Civil Rights), Gifted and Talented Education, Foster Youth, and Student Discipline. Jeanine also supports families in California with regional center services and is an expert witness for court cases. Most recently, Jeanine wrote a book for an educational publisher titled Empowering Abilities: A Comprehensive Guide for Supporting People with Disabilities. Jeanine enjoys spending time with her husband, Josh, and daughter, Faith, and volunteering as a respite for foster families.

Contact Information

Website: www.theceadvocates.com

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• The Power of Advocacy: Vikki Rice’s Legacy in Special Education

  Audio Information Session from CSNLG

  

Welcome to the show! Today, I’m chatting with Vikki Rice, a special education advocate with over 30 years of experience. As a parent navigating the complexities of IEPs and school systems, Vikki turned her own challenges into a career of helping others.

We’re going to dive into her journey, the ups and downs of advocacy, and maybe pick up some useful tips along the way. So grab a cup of coffee—or something stronger—this is going to be a good one

Bio

I came to advocacy through my experience with my child and the acts of the district which were violations of IDEA, I later found out. My concern was for others who did not know what I was finding out. That led me down the path of training myself. 30 years ago there were no training programs so I began my own training. I took all the classes offered through TASK and volunteered for them as well, I received a certificate from CSULB in Mediation Skills Training, and also went to law school where I studied contracts, torts and criminal. (I often say this covers most of what districts do).

Along the way I did as many professional organizations conferences to learn their craft. We now have COPAA which I recommend everyone join, as our network of information. I love righting the wrongs and will always do my best.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

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• The Key to Success in Special Education Starts with Assessment with Dr. Christy Bock

  Audio Information Session from CSNLG

  

Alright, folks, buckle up because we’re diving into the wild world of school assessments—cue the dramatic music! Okay, maybe not that wild, but if you’ve ever been a parent facing an IEP meeting, you know it feels like a rollercoaster. Today, we’ve got Dr. Christy Bach here to break it all down, and trust me, she’s the person you want explaining this stuff because we’re going to get real nerdy real quick. Assessments, eligibility, private evaluations—oh my!

So, grab your popcorn, and let’s get ready to turn that assessment anxiety into confidence…or at least give you enough info to impress your kid’s school psychologist.

Bio

Dr. Christy brings a wealth of experience as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP #3063) and a seasoned school psychologist for over 26 years. Growing up with dyslexia, Christy knows firsthand how tough learning difficulties can be. As a mother of six with special needs children, she truly understands the struggles parents face in supporting their kids’ unique needs.

Since founding Cornerstone in 2008, Christy and her team have performed countless Private Evaluations and Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) across the state. She has served as an expert witness in court and co-created an Educational Custody Evaluation to aid special needs students in family custody cases.

Under her leadership, Cornerstone has expanded nationwide, providing essential support to schools and families across the country.

Cornerstone Educational Solutions is a team of licensed educational psychologists completing private evaluations and IEEs throughout the state of CA and 13 other states. We have been school-based psychologists for many years and have a wealth of experience in determining fair and appropriate recommendations that will support student’s needs.

Contact Information

Website: CornerstoneEducationalSolutions.com

Email: [email protected]

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• Brains, Assessments, and Advocacy: A Chat with Rachel Holowicki

  Audio Information Session from CSNLG

  

Today, we’ve got a very special guest joining us. Now, when you think about evaluations and psychological assessments, your first thought might be, ‘Yikes, that sounds intense!’ But don’t worry—we’ve brought in someone who can make even the trickiest topics feel like a breezy chat over coffee.

Joining me today is Rachel Holowicki, a developmental therapist turned licensed educational psychologist with enough experience to fill a library of case studies! We’re going to dive into her journey, her ‘superpowers’ in understanding both sides of the table, and maybe even uncover her secret love for geeking out about the brain. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it. Let’s get started!”

Bio

Rachel Holowicki is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) in Pacifica, California. She specializes in working with children with ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, and anxiety. Rachel provides psychoeducational evaluations, Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), IQ and gifted assessment, and support for families navigating the IEP process. She has worked as a Developmental Therapist, School Psychologist, and Licensed Educational Psychologist in Illinois and California. Rachel is dedicated to ensuring that each student receives the tailored support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

Contact Information

Website: Rachelholowickilep.com

Email: [email protected]

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• Sarah Baum, Special Education Advocate

  Audio Information Session from CSNLG

  

Today, we’re diving into the critical role of special education advocates with our guest, Sarah Baum. Sarah transitioned from being an educational specialist in public schools to becoming a non-attorney advocate for families navigating the special education system.

We’ll explore what exactly a special education advocate does, how Sarah’s classroom experience informs her advocacy work, and why having an advocate can make a significant difference in a child’s educational journey. Sarah will also share her insights on the challenges facing special education today and offer advice for parents looking to become better advocates for their children.

Bio

Sarah is a non-attorney special education advocate serving the Orange County area. She has years of experience as an Education Specialist in the public school setting. Her professional skills included developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), tracking data, recommending and teaching evidence-based interventions and administering assessments. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education and has facilitated countless IEP meetings, seeing firsthand the ins and outs of the special education process. Additionally, she provides support to Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) assessors by guiding the assessment process and adding recommendations for supplementary aids and services to reports, based on data analysis and knowledge of resources in the school setting. Sarah is also an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and graduated Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) 2.0 with the COPAA organization. As a component of the SEAT program, she completed an internship with an Orange County special education attorney to better understand the complexities of federal (IDEA) and state (California Education Code) special education laws. With her training and expertise, Sarah is amply equipped to assist parents to navigate the daunting special education process.

Contact Information

Reach out to Sarah on her website: EmpowerYouAdvocacy.com

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All behaviors, challenging or not, are forms of communication. The trick, of course, is figuring out what those behaviors are saying and communicating.

Andrea Gaulin, my guest today, is a pro at understanding communication. As a behavior analyst and speech therapist, she blends the disciplines to help individuals with special needs communicate more effectively. This, of course, leads to a happier individual and a delighted family and other support members.

Bio

Andreane received a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Laval University, Canada. She holds her certificate of clinical competence from ASHA (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association). She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2014. She specializes in providing speech and language therapy to children on the Autism spectrum that have moderate to severe deficits and that engage in challenging behaviors.

Andreane is recognized by Apraxia-Kids for advanced training and expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. She completed the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Intensive training institute at Duquesne University in 2018. She continuously receives training in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support her clientele. One of her favorite approaches is language acquisition through motor planning (LAMP). She is a member of the special interest group SIG 12, Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Contact Information

• Website
• Facebook

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As a listener to this program, you are well aware of the increasing calls for targeted instruction of students who struggle in various academic areas.  While schools take on this challenge as part of the regular teaching program, it is difficult for them to devote 1:1 time to students and really focus on deficits and areas of growth.

Dr. Julie Albanese is the director of Fit Learning in the Inland Empire and Orange County. They provide 1:1 and small group tutoring and instruction. We discuss how it all works, how they do assessments, and the results of their program.    

Bio

Dr. Julie Albanese earned her Master’s in Behavior Analysis in 2011 from Western Michigan University and her Doctorate in Psychology with an Emphasis on Learning from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has served individuals and families with autism and other developmental disabilities in Southern California since 2008 as an in-home behavior consultant. In 2017, her professional path crossed the founders of Fit Learning. Since then, Julie has dedicated herself to building a laboratory in her community and beyond guided by the commitment to transform educational practices in the world so that all learners have the capacity to achieve their full potential and greatness.

Center director’s reason for joining the Fit Network: To make a difference in all children that walk through our doors

Contact Information

Contact Dr. Alabanese at [email protected]

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Many of us have noticed the increase in students diagnosed with disabilities such as autism.  These numbers include students, like my son, whose disabilities significantly impact their ability to live independently. 

This nearly crushing increase in numbers of individuals for whom lifetime care is required is putting pressure on our communities, states and systems.

Jill Escher, mother to two children with profound disabilities, is taking on this challenge in her role as president of NCSA, The National Council on Severe Autism. 

We discuss the challenges ahead and the commitments society must make to help some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society.

Bio

Jill is President of the National Council on Severe Autism, an autism research philanthropist (Escher Fund for Autism), real estate investor who provides low-income housing for adults with developmental disabilities, former lawyer, and mother of two children with nonverbal autism. She is also immediate past president of Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area.

@jillescher

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About Gina Ramshaw

Gina Ramshaw is the Founder of  Building Foundations Behavioral Consulting . 

For the past 20 years, she has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and Public Education in different capacities. She began her tenure in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) working for an in-home ABA agency for children with Autism.  She began her teaching career in a Nonpublic school for students with Moderate to Severe disabilities. Gina  continued  down the path of teaching multiple grade levels in classrooms embedded with ABA strategies until she became a Behavior Specialist for a public school district. 

Gina is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has a Masters of Science in Special Education, a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Level II Education Specialist credential, and is a School-Based Certified PEERS trainer for teaching students Social Skills in schools. 

Gina believes that acknowledgement of different perspectives  can only foster collaboration and ultimately benefit students.  Her experience within the Public School setting  is an essential component in assisting families in navigating the IEP process. Her perspective as a Behavior Analyst as well as classroom teacher can assist ALL IEP team members in working collaboratively to ensure that a student is able to access their education within the classroom and that  they are able to acquire and maintain  socially-important skills that will ensure meaningful success throughout their life.  

Services

• Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)/ Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
• Independent Education Evaluations (IEE)
• BIP Implementation Training for Classroom/ School Staff/ Families
• IEP Review of Records/ Consultation/ Advocacy
• Behavioral Assessments/ Behavioral Consultations for Families (in-home)
• Behavioral Consultations/ Training for Classroom & School Staff
• Professional Presentations
• RBT/ BCBA Supervision

Listen to Gina’s Podcast Interview

Contact

• Email

  [email protected]

• Phone

  657.226.6297

• Instagram

  https://www.instagram.com/buildingfoundationsbehavioral/

• Website

When you are entering the world of assessments and therapies, often the FBA, or Functional Behavioral Assessment, is dropped into the conversation as a starting point to understanding how best to help a child. 

Today I speak with Kirstie Gillespie, a behavioral therapist (BCBA), and we get down to the nitty gritty of what an FBA is, how it is conducted and how the assessment guides therapies going forward.

Bio

Kirstie Gillespie joined the CSH family in 2016, and is currently working as a Clinical Supervisor providing support to direct therapy, staff oversight, program development, creation and implementation of behavior intervention plans, and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to clients and families with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and related behavior disorders. 

Kirstie graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Behavioral Science with a focus in Deviant Behavior in 2015. She received her Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in November 2018. 

Prior to working at CSH, Kirstie worked in an integrated healthcare system, working directly with patients suffering from Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injuries, then later managing the Hospital’s Strategic Operations Center. 

Kirstie utilizes her education and experience in neuroscience and background in lean, supportive management systems as a staple in every team she is part of, and every family she works with. In her free time, Kirstie enjoys snowboarding, hiking, working out, and photography.

Contact Information

• Website

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About Lynne Merrill

Lynne Merrill followed her years in the classroom by opening Merrill Educational Center in 1993. Lynne had wanted to teach since she was eight years old, inspired not by good teachers, but by poor ones. She recalls, “I was astounded how much a poor teacher could extinguish a child’s love of learning. I realized early on that I needed to teach to make a positive difference.”

Lynne’s teaching background covers many curricula—from first, fifth, sixth, and eighth grades, to high school English and history. She is qualified in Regular and Special Education and has graduate degrees in these areas, as well as graduate work in English. Lynne holds an undergraduate degree in English and Teaching English as a Second Language. All of Lynne’s programs, at prestigious universities, were completed with Summa and Magna Cum Laude recognition. She has been recognized by members of the state government for her work in pursuing her educational goals.

Lynne is a reading specialist and treats children with decoding, comprehension, spelling, and written expression problems through worldwide acclaimed programs in literacy. She also specializes in Executive Functioning disorders through teaching study skills and organizational techniques. Her greatest accomplishment comes from helping students to help themselves.

Lynne delights in traveling, reading, theater, and spending time with her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson. When she speaks of her family she smiles and says, “They are my moon and stars.”

Services

• Education Therapy and Remediation
• Independent School Options
• Tutoring
• Testing Preparation

Listen to Lynne Merrill’s Podcast Interview

Contact

• Address

  5743 Corsa Ave. Suite #118 

  Westlake Village, CA 91362

• Phone

  (818) 865-0008

• Website

  merrilledu.com

• Facebook

  Facebook/Merrill Educational Center