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ABOUT ME

I started Lorraine Bees Advocacy, LLC to assist families to improve the educational experience and outcome for children with special needs. Since 2008, I have provided services to families in Northeastern Ohio helping them to navigate and work through the special education process.  I also assist families with Medicaid and Developmental Disability (DD) services. I help empower parents to understand the special education process so they can become effective advocates for their children.

I participate in various training sessions for small groups and professional organizations. I am an instructor and teaching assistant for COPAA’s Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) program and presented for COPAA conferences and Webinar series.  In 2012-2013, I served as Board Member and Treasurer of Disability Rights Ohio. I also served as a Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities Transition Task Force member ensuring the smooth transition of county workshops, community employment services, and adult day services to private providers.


I am the proud mother of two adult children, one of whom has multiple and severe challenges. I received an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in 1993.  I worked 12 years as a project manager and department head in various small and large corporations prior to turning my attention to my family and the business of Special Education Advocacy.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certifications

  • COPAA – Certificate in  Advanced Advocacy Training 2020  

  • William and Mary School of Law 2019- Certificate in Special Education Advocacy

  • COPAA Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) Cohort Graduate 2013-2014

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Professional Development

  • COPAA Conferences 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019 & 2020 - Attended various sessions focused on family legal rights, IDEA, due process proceedings, and general advocacy training.

  • COPAA Advocacy Webinars Series - Fall 2013, Summer 2015, Fall 2017, Summer 2018, 2019 & 2020 

  • Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy -Training Series - Legal Rights of IEP's, and Law & Advocacy 2010 - 2012 

  • Ohio Department of Education – Special Education Leadership Conference 2013, 2014 & 2018 

  • OCALI Conference 2013, 2018 – Attended various sessions focused on teaching and advocacy for students with low incidence disabilities 

  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Annual Special Education Conference 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2018 

  • Arc of Ohio 2007- current - Attended various parent training sessions focused on individuals with disabilities

  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities – 2002-current – Attend annual conferences focused on legislative changes to Medicaid programs

  • Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) -1998-current   – Attended various parent training sessions focused on individuals with disabilities

 

​Affiliations

  • COPAA - Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) Teaching Assistant and Instructor 2017 – current

  • Disabilities Rights Ohio – Treasurer of the Board – Executive Board Member 2012-2013

  • COPAA Conference 2019 Presenter “Designing Meaningful IEPs at the IEP Table”

  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Panel member and participant

  • COPAA Member 2008 – current

  • Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities - Transition Task Force 2016 – current

  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities 2015 -current - Independent Provider -Home and Community Based Waiver Services  
     

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