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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 04/27/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
The Membership Committee is comprised of COPAA members from various geographic regions and member categories and works on activities, initiatives, and outreach geared towards membership growth, retention and expansion, identifying and addressing the needs of COPAA’s members, and addressing issues related to membership policies and their implementation. Mallory Finn, Michael Gilberg and Tal Goldin co-chair this committee. If you are not yet part of the Membership Committee, please submit your request to join by clicking here: https://connect.copaa.org/copaaconnecttab/joincommittees. This way you can access the online discussion, resources, and library for Membership.
The Membership Committee is comprised of COPAA members from various geographic regions and member categories and works on activities, initiatives, and outreach geared towards membership growth, retention and expansion, identifying and addressing the needs of COPAA’s members, and addressing issues related to membership policies and their implementation.
Mallory Finn, Michael Gilberg and Tal Goldin co-chair this committee.
If you are not yet part of the Membership Committee, please submit your request to join by clicking here: https://connect.copaa.org/copaaconnecttab/joincommittees. This way you can access the online discussion, resources, and library for Membership.
If you require accommodations, email learningcenter@copaa.org.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 02/20/2026 at 11:00 AM (EST)
The Social and Racial Equity Committee focuses on COPAA's commitment to consider fully the intersectionality of disability, race, national origin, ethnic, cultural and/or religious identity, sexual/gender identity/sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status in our efforts to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families. David Jefferson and Chaunta Tsegaye are co-chair of this committee. If you are not yet part of the SREC Committee, please submit your request to join by clicking here: https://connect.copaa.org/copaaconnecttab/joincommittees. This way you can access the online discussion, resources, and library for the SREC community.
The Social and Racial Equity Committee focuses on COPAA's commitment to consider fully the intersectionality of disability, race, national origin, ethnic, cultural and/or religious identity, sexual/gender identity/sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status in our efforts to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families.
David Jefferson and Chaunta Tsegaye are co-chair of this committee.
If you require accommodations, email learningcenter@copaa.org.
If you are not yet part of the SREC Committee, please submit your request to join by clicking here: https://connect.copaa.org/copaaconnecttab/joincommittees. This way you can access the online discussion, resources, and library for the SREC community.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 02/17/2026 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Join us for this monthly session to welcome new members to the COPAA community and provide an overview of your membership. We review the website functionally, explain how to access key resources and of course, questions and answers. Learn how to make the most of your COPAA membership! If you do not yet have a COPAA membership, please first apply here (https://www.copaa.org/page/joinus). Once approved, you will be able to register!
Join us for this monthly session to welcome new members to the COPAA community and provide an overview of your membership. We review the website functionally, explain how to access key resources and of course, questions and answers. Learn how to make the most of your COPAA membership!
If you do not yet have a COPAA membership, please first apply here. Once approved, you will be able to register!
If you require accommodations, email learningcenter@copaa.org.
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Includes a Live Web Event on 01/27/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)
Join us to hear about COPAA’s new report that examines how private school choice programs are serving students with disabilities as well as the implications of the recent and rapid expansion of this movement on students going forward. When: Tuesday, January 26th at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. This event will be recorded for on-demand viewing. If you need ADA accommodations to access this event, please contact learningcenter@copaa.org.
Join us to hear about COPAA’s new report that examines how private school choice programs are serving students with disabilities, as well as the implications of the recent and rapid expansion of this movement on students going forward.
When: Tuesday, January 26th at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. This event will be recorded for on-demand viewing.
If you need ADA accommodations to access this event, please contact learningcenter@copaa.org.
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Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 01/26/2026 at 6:00 PM (EST)
Meetings led by the Parent Committee on topics identified by COPAA Parent Members as important. The meetings are monthly. The first portion of the meeting is recorded (when the presenter is framing a topic), the discussion portion is not recorded.
Meetings led by the Parent Committee on topics identified by COPAA Parent Members as important. The meetings are monthly. The first portion of the meeting is recorded (when the presenter is framing a topic), the discussion portion is not recorded.
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The Pre-Hearing to Litigation Microlearning Path includes three short videos (20-30 minutes) compiled from our attorney roundtable series. COPAA's Attorney Roundtables are brought to you by COPAA's Attorney Committee Co-Chairs Jennifer Laviano, Esq. and Craig Goodmark, Esq. The videos cover pre-hearing preparation, Due Process, and Litigation Strategies.
The Pre-Hearing to Litigation Microlearning Path includes three short videos (20-30 minutes) compiled from our attorney roundtable series. COPAA's Attorney Roundtables are brought to you by COPAA's Attorney Committee Co-Chairs Jennifer Laviano, Esq. and Craig Goodmark, Esq.
Videos
* Pre-hearing preparation with Craig Goodmark, Esq.
* Due Process with David Grey, Esq., and
* Litigation Strategies: Stay Put with Mandy Favaloro, Esq.If you need accommodations to access these materials, please reach out to learningcenter@copaa.org. Please note: Captions are provided on recordings.
COPAA reviews the content in the Learning Center for accuracy, but because the law can change, please be sure to check that cited sources are still current law. Materials are for educational purposes only.
Craig Goodmark, Esq.
Attorney and COPAA Board Member
Goodmark Law Firm & COPAA
Since 1999, Mr. Goodmark has dedicated a majority of his practice to representing families, teachers and students in their pursuit of equality, fairness and justice in Georgia’s schools. Mr. Goodmark provides full service legal representation in all types of education law proceedings ranging from appearances at educational planning meetings to representing clients in complex federal litigation.
In addition, Mr. Goodmark works with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that students with disabilities in the most vulnerable circumstances, including court involved youth and those with mental illness or developmental disabilities, received their federally mandated right to free, appropriate public education. Working within the educational, juvenile justice and child welfare systems, Mr. Goodmark has presented to a multitude of stakeholders about the impact of the state and federal education laws on Georgia’s youth with disabilities.
Mr. Goodmark also commits a portion of his practice to securing and enforcing the constitutional rights of Georgia’s citizens. Mr. Goodmark has represented and secured positive outcomes for many clients seeking relief for the unlawful intrusion on their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights. From students unlawfully detained while at school, to teachers illegally terminated after exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, Mr. Goodmark has worked to ensure access to justice through the both state and the federal court system.
CRAIG GOODMARK AT A GLANCE
• Education Law Attorney• Represents Families, Teachers and Students with Disabilities• Focus on Special Education Matters in Georgia• Constitutional/Civil Rights Practice for Georgia’s citizens• Student/Educator First Amendment Claims• Fourth Amendment Search/Seizure Claims• Open Records/Open Meetings Act Issues
David M. Grey, Esq.
Partner
Grey & Grey
David M. Grey, Esq. is a partner with the law firm of Grey & Grey in California. David is an experienced special education attorney who has successfully handled a lot of due process hearings and appeals in state and federal court. He has experience with a broad range of special education matters. A significant number of his cases involve people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing or those who are in danger of being seriously hurt if not properly served by the school. David has a growing interest in using civil rights laws to obtain injunctive relief and damages beyond what is provided for under IDEA.
Prior to his special education practice, David focused on employment and real estate disputes, where he had many jury trials, arbitrations and administrative hearings. He is a cum laude graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and received his law degree from Hofstra University in New York. David has lectured and written extensively on a variety of legal topics. Most recently he was successful in convincing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse summary judgment against two of his clients in K.M. v. Tustin Unified School District, 725 F.3d 1088 (9th Cir. 2013)(cert. denied). The Ninth Circuit made clear that compliance with IDEA does not foreclose rights available under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mandy Favaloro
Attorney
A2Z Educational Advocates
Mandy Favaloro is a partner at Casillas Favaloro, PLC. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in Government, and then attended law school at Pepperdine University, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. While at Pepperdine, Mandy participated in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic, where she worked with families involved in the IEP process. Mandy has advocated for parents of students with disabilities at all stages of the process including IEP meetings, mediations, due process hearings and in federal court. She prepared and delivered oral arguments in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case involving a school district’s denial of a student’s access to school, obtaining a favorable opinion from the Ninth Circuit on the precedent setting issue of mootness of an IDEA claim upon the death of a student. Mandy is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She currently serves on the Board of Directors, as the Co-Chair of the Conference Committee and a past Chair of the Board. She previously taught SEAT 2.0 for five years. Mandy has presented at previous COPAA conferences and in webinars on a variety of special education topics and has given presentations for other organizations.
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The Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students: Equity, Safety, and Support in Special Education e-publication series offers three conference white papers: * Education Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Students: Understanding the Intersection of Disability and LGBTQ+ Identity * Creating a Safe and Affirming School Environment for LGBTQ Youth in the Era of Don't Say Gay Laws and More * Navigating Struggles for Youth who are LGBTQ+ in Public Education
The Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students: Equity, Safety, and Support in Special Education e-publication series offers three conference white papers:
* Education Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Students: Understanding the Intersection of Disability and LGBTQ+ Identity
* Creating a Safe and Affirming School Environment for LGBTQ Youth in the Era of Don't Say Gay Laws and More
* Navigating Struggles for Youth who are LGBTQ+ in Public EducationCOPAA reviews the content in the Learning Center for accuracy, but because the law can change, please be sure to check that cited sources are still current law. Materials are for educational purposes only.
If you require ADA Accommodations to access the materials in this e-publication path, please email learningcenter@copaa.org.
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This webinar is led by Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, and Denise Stile Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO. Special education advocates are an important resource for families and a growing profession. Although there are currently no licensing requirements, educational requirements, or enforceable ethics codes for special education advocates; an advocate is expected to have knowledge and expertise concerning special education and its applicable federal and state laws and work within the bounds of those laws. Advocates fulfill many roles; however, an advocate may not give out legal advice to parents (i.e., practice law). What constitutes the practice of law varies from one jurisdiction to another. Participants in this session learn how the unauthorized practice of law is defined, interpreted, and applied in the courts. Strategy tips for avoiding UPL are also discussed. This webinar will be recorded. If you require ADA accommodations to access the live online event, please email learningcenter@copaa.org.
This webinar is led by Selene Almazan, Esq, COPAA's Legal Director, and Denise Stile Marshall, M.S., COPAA's CEO.
Special education advocates are an important resource for families and a growing profession. Although there are currently no licensing requirements, educational requirements, or enforceable ethics codes for special education advocates; an advocate is expected to have knowledge and expertise concerning special education and its applicable federal and state laws and work within the bounds of those laws. Advocates fulfill many roles; however, an advocate may not give out legal advice to parents (i.e., practice law). What constitutes the practice of law varies from one jurisdiction to another. Participants in this session learn how the unauthorized practice of law is defined, interpreted, and applied in the courts. Strategy tips for avoiding UPL are also discussed.
This webinar will be recorded.
If you require ADA accommodations to access the live online event, please email learningcenter@copaa.org.
Denise Marshall
C.E.O.
COPAA
Denise Stile Marshall, M.S. - Denise has led the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) since 2005. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Science. Denise has over 40 years’ experience in the field of disabilities in a variety of support, management, and advocacy capacities. She has a wealth of non-profit association management experience and is a dynamic trainer, experienced in leading sessions for participants of diverse abilities and experience levels. Prior to becoming the CEO of COPAA Denise was the Director of Training and Educational Outreach for the national organization TASH from 1995-2005, the Program Manager and trainer for Maryland Leaders in Disability Policy; and a Positive Behavior Support specialist and Director of the National Training Center for The Kennedy Krieger Institute in Maryland among other consulting and management positions. Denise's specific areas of interest are civil right to quality education, positive behavioral supports, prevention and reduction in the use of restraints, abolishment of seclusion and aversive techniques, family supports, grassroots advocacy, self-advocacy, and experiential learning. Denise and her husband are the parents of two children and have three grandchildren, one of whom has Down syndrome.
Selene Almazan, Esq.
Legal Director
COPAA
Selene Almazan, Esq. (MD) has been a member of COPAA since its inception in 1998. Selene was on the Board of Directors from 2003-2014. She has represented students and families for nearly 30 years. Selene is a former Supervising Attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland where she represented children in the foster care system, including representation in special education matters. For nearly 23 years, Selene represented parents in special education matters with a primary focus on least restrictive environment (LRE) issues at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education. Since September 2014, Selene has been the Legal Director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) where she supports the work of the Amicus Committee as well as works on federal and local policy issues. Since May 2015 Selene maintains a private practice focusing on parent and student representation in special education matters, including LRE. She represents families at IEP team meetings, state complaint proceedings, mediations, due process hearings, suspension/expulsion proceedings and federal court proceedings, including matters involving violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. She has extensive experience training families, teachers, school administrators, attorneys and advocates on legal issues related to special education law as well as disability discrimination issues.
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This event is free for COPAA members and non-members. If you are not a COPAA member, please create a free guest account to register - https://www.copaa.org/page/guestaccount PURPOSE: In light of recent events in the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and actions that threaten the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the rights of more than 8 million children with disabilities, we invite you to join a grassroots virtual Town Hall for parents, teachers, and advocates for children with disabilities. Speakers will share insights about recent events and discuss actions you can take. Together, we will use our collective voice to compel the Administration to protect children with disabilities and urge Congress to help protect the IDEA, whose sole purpose is to ensure equitable access and opportunity to education for every child with a disability. If you require ADA accommodations to access this event, please email learningcenter@copaa.org. Captions are provided.
This on-demand recording and digital toolkit is free for COPAA members and non-members. If you are not a COPAA member, please click here to create a free guest account.
Purpose: In light of recent events in the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and actions that threaten the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the rights of more than 8 million children with disabilities, we invite you to join a grassroots virtual Town Hall for parents, teachers, and advocates for children with disabilities.
Speakers will share insights about recent events and discuss actions you can take. Together we will use our collective voice to compel the Administration to protect children
with disabilities and urge Congress to help protect the IDEA, whose sole purpose is to ensure equitable access and opportunity to education for every child with a disability.If you need accommodations to access the event, please reach out to learningcenter@copaa.org. Captions are provided and the event is being recorded.
Cohosts:
The Center for Learner Equity, The Arc of the United States, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome CongressPanelists:
Jen Coco, Interim Executive Director, The Center for Learner Equity
Katy Neas, CEO, The Arc of the United States
Chad Rummel, CEO, Council for Exceptional Children
Denise Marshall, CEO, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities
Stephanie Smith Lee, Policy and Advocacy Co-Director, National Down Syndrome Congress -
The Protecting FAPE Learning Path includes the webinars listed below and their associated materials. * It's 10 p.m. Do You Know Where Your Children's Present Levels of Performance Are? Strategies for Organized, Effective IEP Advocacy * What is Specially Designed Instruction? * The differences between substantive FAPE and procedural violations and why it matters * The Logic and Leverage of Endrew F. in Special Education Litigation * Decoding "Evidence-Based": Understanding the Levels of Evidence in Effective Intervention * How to Create Strength-Based IEPs
The Protecting FAPE Learning Path includes the webinars listed below and their associated materials.
* It's 10 p.m. Do You Know Where Your Children's Present Levels of Performance Are?
* What is Specially Designed Instruction?
* The differences between substantive FAPE and procedural violations and why it matters
* The Logic and Leverage of Endrew F. in Special Education Litigation
* Decoding "Evidence-Based": Understanding the Levels of Evidence in Effective Intervention
* How to Create Strength-Based IEPsCOPAA reviews the content in the Learning Center for accuracy, but because the law can change, please be sure to check that cited sources are still current law. Materials are for educational purposes only.
