Champion Initiative for a Better Future
Upcoming Event
Upcoming Event
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Past Event
Upcoming Event
Demopolis, AL | August 4, 2022
Children First Community Workshop:
Navigating Educational Rights and School Services
The public is invited to attend “The Children First Community Workshop” if they are interested in understanding educational rights of children with special needs within the public school systems in Marengo, Greene, Perry, Hale, Sumter, Wilcox, Dallas, and Choctaw counties.
This workshop will help parents and community members to learn how to be the first line of support for children with special needs by obtaining knowledge that will help in their understanding if their child or children might be eligible for special education services that will help their child or children successfully excel in school.
These barriers hinder childrens’ right to a fair education free from discrimination, intimidation, and manipulation. This is an in-person event. Dinner will be catered and door prizes will be given away.
BBE, Inc. is NOT a legal-based company and DOES NOT provide legal services. SPLC and ADAP will be providing training and information and are legal-based, non-criminal service providers throughout the Black Belt area and across the State.
SPLC promotes justice and equality that is principled on fighting against injustice and discrimination in the South and beyond through the advancement of all human rights.
ADAP provides specific services relating to disability rights of both children and adults with special needs. This event is intended to help communities in their awareness of available and accessible services that can assist and support them in various non-criminal matters, especially in education, civil rights, discrimination matters.
Presenters:
Nancy E. Anderson
Attorney, Associate Director (she/her), Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) Attorney Anderson will be explaining a school’s obligation to “child find” and the rights of the child/family.
Mike Tafelski
Senior Children’s Rights Legal Supervising Attorney
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
Brock Boone
Senior Staff Attorney Children’s Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Attorney Boonee will be presenting community education data and explaining an overview of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504.
Claire Sherburne
Staff Attorney Children’s Attorney
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
Attorneys Tafelski and Sherburne will be available to provide additional information and answer one-on-one questions.
Event Sponsors:
- Blessed Beyond Enterprises, Inc. whose mission is to provide strategic professional resources and support services for organizations focused on sustainable growth, innovation, and collaboration within communities.
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Meeting space provided by Theo Ratliff Center
- Dinner sponsored by SPLC provided by A Slab and More BBQ - a local, favorite restaurant located at 803 E. Pettus Street, Demopolis, AL 36742
Other sponsorships
Beverages provided by Love Is What Love Does - a local 501(c)(3) serving 7 primary counties in the Alabama Black Belt: Perry, Hale, Dallas, Autauga, Marengo, Wilcox, Bibb. Whose mission is to enrich the lives of disadvantaged citizens and develop their environment through programs and activities that encourage personal growth and community participation.
Door prize provided by Doughside Donuts, a California based gourmet pastry company with a passion for giving back.
Door prize provided by Lindsey’s Florist & Gift, locally owned floral and gift shop with a passion for supporting other local business.
Past Event
Past Event
Demopolis, AL | May 12, 2022
The Right to Resources
The public is invited to attend The Right to Resources if they are struggling to navigate issues within the public school systems in Marengo, Greene, Perry, Hale, Sumter, Wilcox, and Dallas counties. Attendees will find an introductory education on available resources across the Black Belt to help them in their fight against barriers in the education system. These barriers hinder childrens’ right to a fair education free from discrimination, intimidation, and manipulation. This is an in-person event with zoom access available for those unable to attend in-person.
The agencies in attendance will be providing information and are legal-based, non-criminal service providers throughout the Black Belt area and across the State.
This event is intended to help communities in their awareness of available and accessible services that can assist and support them in various non-criminal matters, especially in education, civil rights, discrimination matters.
Panelists:
Andrea J. Mixson
Senior Staff Attorney, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP). Attorney Mixson will be addressing the topics of special education rights, employment rights, and availability of lesser known services covered by Medicaid.
Mike Tafeski
Senior Children’s Rights Legal Supervising Attorney, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Attorney Mike will be explaining the ins and outs of the Public School System disciplinary process.
Elizabeth A. Hollie
Managing Attorney, Legal Services Alabama - Selma Office . Attorney Hollie will be speaking on the representation of students in education cases in the areas of suspensions, expulsions, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) as well as the education rights of students experiencing homelessness.
Event Sponsors:
- Blessed Beyond Enterprises, Inc. whose mission is to provide navigational, advisory, and educational services to individuals who have survived injustice through advocacy and connection to resources.
- Meeting space provided by Theo Ratliff Center
- Light refreshments provided by:
- Love Is What Love Does - a local 501(c)(3) serving 7 primary counties in the Alabama Black Belt: Perry, Hale, Dallas, Autauga, Marengo, Wilcox, Bibb. Whose mission is to enrich the lives of disadvantaged citizens and develop their environment through programs and activities that encourage personal growth and community participation.
- Southern Carnival - locally owned costume and formal wear designer
- Couture Cakes by Pam - licensed home baker in Historical Downtown Demopolis