Author Archives: Micki Moran

About Micki Moran

Micki Moran is the founding partner of The Child and Family Law Center, Ltd. She dedicates her practice to providing legal assistance to children and families who are in need of representation in the areas of special education, disability law, juvenile and young adult criminal law, abuse and neglect, guardianship, and mental health issues. Micki's practice is founded on the principle that children and their families require and deserve excellent legal representation with a multidisciplinary approach that works with multiple systems of care and creates communities that support and improve the quality of all peoples' lives.

Transition Planning for Students with Mental Health Issues

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Micki Moran

Transition services must begin at age 14.5 in Illinois. Transition planning is an integral part of the student’s IEP. The IEP team develops the transition plan. Student must participate and be invited to any transition planning meeting. The IEP team … Continue reading →

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What are the Common Core Standards and its Relationship to Students with Disabilities?

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Micki Moran

The Common Core Standards articulate rigorous grade-level expectations in the areas of mathematics and language arts. The standards identify the knowledge and skills students need in order to be successful in college and careers. Promoting a culture of high expectations … Continue reading →

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Starting the School Year off Right

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Micki Moran

Ten Ideas for Making a Successful Start: For students with complicated needs, or in transition (e.g. new school), agree to meet a month after school starts to assess how things are going. This should be a short meeting of less … Continue reading →

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Special Education Law: Residency

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Micki Moran

B. [9.3] of The Illinois School Code: Residency Considerations Residency standards for special education students are established in Article 14 of the School Code. These standards govern “in all cases where special education services and facilities are provided.” 105 ILCS … Continue reading →

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Special Education: On Recording an IEP Meeting

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Micki Moran

A common question in my office relates to whether parents should record IEP meetings or other meetings with the school district. My answer is almost always an unconditional no. I realize that other attorneys may give different advice on this … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Late Summer

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Micki Moran

I am never in a back to school mode until after Labor Day. It is a by-product of growing up in an era when school didn’t start until after the 1st of September and the last few weeks of August … Continue reading →

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Mediation in Special Education

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Micki Moran

Recently, I was asked to do an in-service for the mediators who are appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education. My co-presenter was a well known school district attorney. The purpose of the training was to discuss suggestions and … Continue reading →

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Private Placements

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Micki Moran

The Fourth of July is over and summer always seems to move into fast forward. There is little down time despite school being out of session. Unfortunately the issues of children and teenagers with disabilities aren’t confined to the nine … Continue reading →

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School Administrators Propose Change to Due Process System: Interesting IDEA?

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Micki Moran

Recently the American Association of School Administrators proposed a drastic change in the system known as “Due Process Hearings”. The change suggested would follow a model already underway on a voluntary basis in Massachusetts and would involve a “consultant IEP” … Continue reading →

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The Cost of Getting What You Need: Many Children Left Behind

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Micki Moran

This is my 17th year in this area of practice-notably special education law and other disability related areas of law practice. While I have always done a considerable amount of pro bono work, the need in recent years has been … Continue reading →

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