STAMFORD–Parents of children with special education needs, in addition to professionals, can attend two free webinars hosted by the Special Education Legal Fund this January. These virtual events are designed to help families with information about school placement options, transition planning, and preparing for a child’s annual meeting.

The first webinar will focus on high school and transition programs, with an emphasis on the Pinnacle School in Stamford. This event will take place on Jan. 8 from noon to 1 p.m., with free registration here. 

This webinar will provide an inside look at The Pinnacle School’s high school and transition programs specializing in supporting students with language-based learning differences, executive functioning challenges, and social-emotional needs. Participants will hear from school leadership and specialists who will discuss admissions considerations, student profiles, programming highlights, and how families can evaluate whether a specialized high school or transition program is the right fit.

The second webinar, on Jan. 14 from 7 to 8 p.m., will walk parents through how to prepare for their child’s annual Planning & Placement Team (PPT) meeting. Free registration for this program is available here. 

This practical workshop focuses on the child’s annual review where goals, services, and supports are updated. Topics will include understanding data, evaluating progress, strengthening home–school communication, and developing a proactive approach to advocating for supports.

“The annual meeting is one of the most important moments in a student’s special education journey,” said Laura Sullivan, an attorney with the legal fund. “Parents often wonder how to prepare, what questions to ask, and how to ensure the plan truly reflects their child’s needs. Our goal is to demystify the process and help families walk into that meeting informed, confident, and ready to collaborate.”

The webinar is appropriate for parents navigating the PPT process for the first time as well as those seeking a more structured approach to advocacy.

The Special Education Legal Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy grants and educational resources to families of children with disabilities. For more information, visit https://spedlegalfund.org.