Attorney Shelagh O’Donnell advocated for a 13-year-old student who was sent to juvenile court for missing school, but was not receiving services to support his learning disability. Attorney O’Donnell filed at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), arguing that the school was denying the student a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). In Student V. Stoughton Public Schools, the hearing officer decided the case in the parent’s favor, stating that by not addressing his learning disability in his Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the school denied the student FAPE and he is entitled to additional services in his IEP. This is a major victory that represents the core of MHAP’s mission: diverting youth with unmet mental health needs from juvenile court and helping them access the support they need to succeed in school.

Attorney Kendal Poirier represented a 19-year-old student with complex mental health and cognitive needs who was stuck in a cycle of hospitalization, discharge, and re-hospitalization. Attorney Poirier advocated with the hospital, the school district, and the Department of Developmental Services for a residential placement for the student to receive appropriate educational and cognitive support. When no parties were willing to take responsibility for the student’s placement and the student’s mental health continued to decline, Attorney Poirier filed at the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), arguing that the student requires a residential placement in order to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). In Student v. Attleboro Public Schools and Department of Developmental Services, the hearing officer decided the case in the student’s favor, stating that it is the school district’s responsibility to provide him FAPE through a residential placement. This case is emblematic of how MHAP for Kids prevents children with complex mental health needs from falling through the cracks of a fragmented system.