PLEASE ATTEND - FULTON COUNTY ABUSE CASE - Please share this notice

FYI

 

Advocacy & Consulting Services - IEPadvocate4you
Carol Sadler, Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
770-442-8357
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
CarolSadler@bellsouth.net
www.IEPadvocate4You.com
http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com

IEPadvocate4you also now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/pages/IEPadvocate4you-Carol-Sadler-Special-Education-ConsultantAdvocate/139597000964  

http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolsadleriepadvocate4you

 

"There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people." ---- Thomas Jefferson

“Refrain from Restraining, Secluding and Corporal Punishment & Aversives are Abusive and Dehumanizing” ---- Carol Sadler, Advocate

GNET=GetNoEducation/Therapy=PsychoNOed=Jail without Jury or Trial=Imprisonment without Legal Representation

 

CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest and the special education attorneys that I often work with on educational matters. Please do not forward without my permission.

 

 

From: GA-ChildrensNetwork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:GA-ChildrensNetwork@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Vance
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 9:31 PM
To: GA-ChildrensNetwork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [GA-ChildrensNetwork] PLEASE ATTEND - FULTON COUNTY ABUSE CASE - Please share this notice [1 Attachment]

 

 

[Attachment(s) from Chris Vance included below]

On Monday, August 5, a hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. for Melanie Pickens, who was indicted on 12 counts of child cruelty and child abandonment for her abuse of disabled children attending Fulton County School District.  Attached is the indictment.

The families of the disabled children abused have been informed that the criminal defense attorney for former FCSD teacher Melanie Pickens will be asking for a continuance, and the families strongly object to further delay in this matter.  They believe it is way past time Pickens be held criminally liable for what they believe to be her horrific abuse of and crimes against their children. 

It is important for the families to be supported at the hearing for all to see how important this is to our community. 

Doubtful Pickens will be there, but her attorney will and the media has stated it will be there (ABC and CBS Atlanta and possibly CNN). 

The more attention brought to public school child abuse of disabled children in GA, the more we increase public awareness of just how significant a problem this is.  Many are advocating for cameras in special ed classrooms in GA, and while this may seem impossible right now, I recall thinking over a decade ago that it would be very difficult to ever stop public school seclusion rooms in GA and that has been accomplished.

The hearing should not be long at all, but your appearance would be most appreciated by all the families involved.

Here is the address:

Fulton County Superior Courthouse

Judge Newkirk’s Courtroom (ask at front desk which floor/courtroom)

Superior Court of Fulton County
136 Pryor Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Anyone needing a ride can ride with me if they can get to the address below by 8:30 a.m.  Just email me off list.  I’m sure the families will also give rides – most will be coming from N. Fulton County area.

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AND WITH ANY LIST SERVICE for special needs children.

Chris

CHRIS E. VANCE, P.C.

Suite 100

2415 Oak Grove Valley Road, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia  30345

(404) 320-6672 - Tel

(404) 320-3412 - Fax

(404) 313-3800 - Cell

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from Chris Vance

1 of 1 File(s)

State vs Melanie Pickens (Indictment).pdf

 

Georgia Advocacy Office: Free Advocacy Training and Support Project

FYI

 

Advocacy & Consulting Services - IEPadvocate4you
Carol Sadler, Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
770-442-8357
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
CarolSadler@bellsouth.net
www.IEPadvocate4You.com
http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com

IEPadvocate4you also now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/pages/IEPadvocate4you-Carol-Sadler-Special-Education-ConsultantAdvocate/139597000964  

http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolsadleriepadvocate4you

 

"There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people." ---- Thomas Jefferson

“Refrain from Restraining, Secluding and Corporal Punishment & Aversives are Abusive and Dehumanizing” ---- Carol Sadler, Advocate

GNET=GetNoEducation/Therapy=PsychoNOed=Jail without Jury or Trial=Imprisonment without Legal Representation

 

CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest and the special education attorneys that I often work with on educational matters. Please do not forward without my permission.

 

 

 

Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO)

Free Advocacy Training and Support Project

August 7, 2013

 

 

CLICK HERE to view or print the flyer and application.

 

Georgia Advocacy Office has a free self advocacy training and support project. You have to RSVP by July 30 and there is only 30 spots available. fill out the application and send by July 30.  See the below or the attached:

 

Self Advocacy Discussion

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

2:00pm to 3:30pm

Georgia Advocacy Office

150 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430

Decatur, GA 30030

 

Do you have a self-advocacy project that you would like to undertake but are not sure of how to go about doing it? The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) wants to support you in your efforts.

GAO staff attorney Julie Kegley and nationally-known self advocate Cheri Mitchell will provide technical support and expertise during this one-time discussion.

Come with your ideas about issues you would like to discuss. Some examples of things you might want technical support with include the following:

•The light at the crosswalk near your house doesn’t stay green long enough, and you want to change it so that people with disabilities, including you, can have enough time to cross.

•There is no curb cut at a street you need to cross.

•Your favorite restaurant is inaccessible.

•There are no accessible parking spots at your apartment complex.

•The bus stop near your home is not accessible.

You feel that you have been discriminated against by a state or local government and/or a private business.  If you would like to attend, please complete the enclosed application and return it to Marie Selby at the GAO by July 31, 2013 (see contact information on next page). Attendance will be limited to 30 people.

 

Please note that attendance at this discussion does not mean the GAO will provide legal representation to you on your self-advocacy work; nor does the GAO make any representation that attendance at this discussion will result in a favorable outcome for you in your self-advocacy

 

Application

Please fill out and return by July 30, 2013 to

Marie Selby

Georgia Advocacy Office

150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430

Decatur, GA 30030

Phone: (404) 885-1234; Fax: (404) 378-0031; e-mail: mselby@thegao.org

 

Name:

Address:

Contact phone and e-mail:

What type of self-advocacy project would you like to do?

Please list any reasonable accommodations you will need in order to fully participate:

Are you a member of any self-advocacy organizations? Please list:

What self-advocacy training have you had?

 

Note:  This information is being sent on behalf of Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO).  Please direct all questions and comments directly to Marie Selby at 404-885-1234 or email mselby@thegao.org.  Thank you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alleged abuse of Wesley Malone in DeKalb County at Stone Mountain Middle School

The family of Wesley Malone, a 14-year-old non-verbal autistic student, said they questioned his teachers after noticing behavioral changes, including aggressiveness, as well as scratches and bumps on his face and head.

 

The family said the school brought in a specialist to observe Wesley’s classroom who witnessed the use of a thick broomstick handle to scare and discipline the teen.

 

“She’s slapping the broomstick on the table, she’s slapping it on the floor, she’s slapping it at him, she’s poking it at him,” attorney Chris Vance said.

According to the report, Wesley yelped and covered his head. According to the specialist’s report, the paraprofessional said, “This is what we have to do. We have to instill fear in him.”

 

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/family-says-educators-used-broomstick-scare-autist/nYZyW/

 

http://newsone.com/2624444/wesley-malone-georgia-autism/  

 

Advocacy & Consulting Services - IEPadvocate4you
Carol Sadler, Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
770-442-8357
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
CarolSadler@bellsouth.net
www.IEPadvocate4You.com
http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com

IEPadvocate4you also now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/pages/IEPadvocate4you-Carol-Sadler-Special-Education-ConsultantAdvocate/139597000964  

http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolsadleriepadvocate4you

 

"There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people." ---- Thomas Jefferson

“Refrain from Restraining, Secluding and Corporal Punishment & Aversives are Abusive and Dehumanizing” ---- Carol Sadler, Advocate

GNET=GetNoEducation/Therapy=PsychoNOed=Jail without Jury or Trial=Imprisonment without Legal Representation

 

CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest and the special education attorneys that I often work with on educational matters. Please do not forward without my permission.