Conference presentations Round table discussions Expert Panels Workshops Training for parent groups and professional groups Seminars Guest articles Media commentary
Speaker bio: Special Education Attorney Christy Calbos received her law degree from the University of Georgia in 1997. In 2003, Ms. Calbos began working for California’s largest education law firm. For years, she assisted school systems with special education compliance and provided legal advice. After returning to Georgia to work with local districts for several years, she made a significant career decision and stopped working for schools and started her own law firm for the sole purpose of helping disabled students obtain appropriate special education in Georgia public schools. She is uniquely positioned to help families because of her former career as a school attorney and her extensive knowledge of school system special education. She enjoys teaching parents and professionals how to use practical tools to navigate special education.
November 9, 2011 ~ Georgia Youth Law Conference – Dunwoody, GA - “IEPs: Basics & Strategies for Successful Advocacy” with co-presenter attorney Kristen Williams
November 17, 2011 ~ DeKalb County Schools PTSA Special Needs Group – Towers High School, GA - “IEP Basics & Red Flags”
December 2, 2011 ~ Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS) Lunch & Learn – Chamblee, GA - “Parent Rights”
February 11, 2012 ~ Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS) Annual Education Conference - “IEP Cheat Sheet: What Every Parent Should Know About IEPs” (presented to two groups)
March 25 & 29, 2012 ~ BCG Learning Center – Marietta, GA - “Unraveling Special Ed Myths in Public Schools: How To Get What Your Child Needs” - 2 sessions
April 1, 2012 ~ Living Beyond the Label Parent Group - Jones County, GA - “IEP Red Flags”
August 24, 2012 – Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS) Lunch & Learn – Chamblee, GA - “Unraveling Special Ed Myths in Public Schools: How To Get What Your Child Needs” - “IEP Cheat Sheet: What Every Parent Should Know About IEPs”
October 13, 2012 ~ Living Beyond the Label Parent Group – Jones County, GA - “Discipline and the Special Education Student”
January 26, 2013 ~ Families of Children Under Stress (FOCUS) Annual Education Conference - Atlanta, GA - “IEP Cheat Sheet: What Every Parent Should Know About IEPs” (presented to two groups)
February 9, 2013 ~ Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) IEP Learning Seminar – Johns Creek, GA -“Unraveling Special Ed Myths in Public Schools: How To Get What Your Child Needs” + “IEP Cheat Sheet: What Every Parent Should Know About IEPs” and “Discipline and the Special Education Student”
March 11, 2013 - CHADD - Atlanta, GA - "When the School Disciplines Your Special Education Student"
September 10, 2013 ~ Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) Parent Support Group - DeKalb County, GA - "What Do You Need? What Does the Law Say?" co hosted with Joan Teach
September 15, 2013 ~ North Fulton Autism Support Group -" - Johns Creek, GA - Unraveling Special Education Myths in Public Schools: How Parents Can Advocate For Their Children" - Ever been confused over something you were “told” at an IEP meeting? Numerous myths exist in special education. What do you need to know? Public school districts often have "rules" which are presented at IEP meetings as “obstacles." Administrative "policies" and "procedures" may benefit the operation of the school or district but also block your child from receiving appropriate services. This seminar teaches parents what to do when “rules” or “policies” are quoted as reasons why your child cannot receive particular services or support which you believe your child needs. In this session, you will learn to recognize: (1) red flags that you, the parent, should respond to in the meeting; (2) what a parent can say at a meeting when someone mentions a "rule”; (3) what a parent should make sure is documented in IEP meeting minutes; (4) who in the District to follow up with and how to document what you're asking for; (5) how to propose certain resolutions and build evidence that will support your point of view and requests.
September 18, 2013 ~ Cobb County Navigator Team - Cobb County, GA - "The IEP Cheat Sheet For Parents: What You Should Know About Effective Advocacy "...Hear strategies to work through tricky situations in IEP meetings and when advocating for your child. The materials prepared for you outline sample language that you may choose to rely on when communicating with your child's school system, and the emphasis is on effective, collaborative advocacy. Receive answers to your tough questions and resources for further assistance and suggestions.
October 6, 2013 ~ Food For Thought: Kids Enabled Fall Resource Festival - Atlanta, GA - "Top 5 Tips From A Special Education Attorney for Successful IEP Meetings"
October 14, 2013 ~ Cobb County Navigator Team - Cobb County, GA - When the School Disciplines Your Special Education Student - Often, special education students are punished for behaviors that are not well understood by staff. Perhaps your child should receive redirection and focused intervention, rather than time outs, punishments, and in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension. Learn your child's rights, parent rights, and what parents can do to work with the school, and receive answers to discipline questions.
October 19, 2013 ~ Rockdale County Autism Support Group - Conyers, GA - FIRST WORKSHOP: "Unraveling Special Education Myths in Public Schools: How Parents Can Advocate For Their Children" - Ever wanted to ask a special education attorney about something you were “told” at an IEP meeting? Numerous myths exist in special education. What do you need to know? Public school districts often have "rules" which are presented at IEP meetings as “obstacles”. Administrative "policies" and "procedures" may benefit the operation of the school or district but also block your child from receiving appropriate services. This seminar teaches parents what to do when “rules” or “policies” are quoted as reasons why your child cannot receive particular services or support which you believe your child needs. In this session, you will learn to recognize: (1) red flags that you, the parent, should respond to in the meeting; (2) what a parent can say at a meeting when someone mentions a "rule”; (3) what a parent should make sure is documented in IEP meeting minutes; (4) who in the District to follow up with and how to document what you're asking for; (5) how to propose certain resolutions and build evidence that will support your point of view and requests. SECOND WORKSHOP: "The IEP Cheat Sheet For Parents: What You Should Know About Effective Advocacy" Having a tough time in meetings and letter writing, expressing yourself and advocating for your child? Learn strategies and hear suggestions designed to help you collaboratively work through tricky situations in IEP meetings and on other occasions when advocating for your child. The materials prepared for you outline sample language for communicating with your child's school system.
March 1, 2014 ~ Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) - IEP Learning Seminar - Atlanta, GA - "Top Tips for IEP Advocacy and Discipline"
March 2014 - Grady High School PTSA - Atlanta, GA - "IEP Cheat Sheet for Parents - What You Should Know About Effective Advocacy"
March 2014 - Integrated Behavior Solutions - Atlanta, GA - "Legal Considerations with Special Education"
September 2016 - Matthew Reardon Autism Center Annual Conference - Savannah, GA - FOR PROVIDERS / PROFESSIONALS: "Special Education Advocacy and Least Restrictive Environment"
October 2016 - Rockdale County Autism Support Group - Conyers, GA - "Your IEP Rights"
November 2016 - Special Education Parent Alliance of Henry County - McDonough, GA - "IEP Basics"
November 2016 - Television interview - featured legal expert on Channel 11 Alive (NBC - WXIA, Atlanta) in an investigative journalism piece, discussing my opinion about unreported abuse of disabled students in Georgia public schools. LINK TO STORY: http://www.11alive.com/news/local/how-rampant-is-special-needs-abuse-in-ga-schools/354192287?fbclid=IwAR13kVP1Prf6qnu5aG_TZ359dZq8k-AYhAYWnclv0KJq70DSX_Wf_gZ8Q40
February 2017 - TACA - Real Help NOW - Autism Conference - Forsyth County, GA - "IEPs: How to Advocate" and "IEPs: An Essential Guide to Red Flags"
March 2017 - TACA - National Webinar - "The IEP Cheat Sheet: What Every Parent Should Know About IEPs"
April 2017 - B & B Care, Effingham County, GA - FOR PARENTS: "Your IEP Rights" - and FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS/PROFESSIONALS: "IEP Basics and Red Flags: How to Help Special Education Families"
February 2018 - North Georgia Autism Conference in Bartow, GA - "How to Be Your Child's Best IEP Advocate" with co-presenter special education advocate Debbie Dobbs
February 2018 - Effingham County Navigator - Effingham County, GA - "Hands On IEP Clinic" with co-presenter special education advocate Debbie Dobbs
February 2018 - TACA - Annual Autism Conference - Forsyth County, GA - "Smart Transition IEPs for Teens" and "How to Be Your Child's Best IEP Advocate" with co-presenter special education advocate Debbie Dobbs
March 2018 - Calhoun Autism Network - Calhoun, GA - "How to Be Your Child's Best IEP Advocate"
March 2018 - TACA - National Webinar - "How to Be Your Child's Best IEP Advocate" with co-presenter special education advocate Debbie Dobbs
March 2018 - Spectrum Autism Support Group - Gwinnett County, GA - "How to Be Your Child's Best IEP Advocate"
September 2019 - Southside Support Group - Southside Symposium Conference "Invisible Disabilities" - Fayetteville, GA - "Advocacy" breakout session panel expert
October 2019 - KidSpeech - Gwinnett County, GA - "Your IEP Rights"
November 2019 - Harris Gude Foundation's Annual Event "Especially for You" - Atlanta, GA - Special Education expert on panel discussion
January 2020 - Changing Faces, Inc. - Evans, GA - "IEP Basics" Workshop
February 2020 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) 33rd Annual Conference - Atlanta, GA - "IEP Cheat Sheet"
March 2020 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) Workshop - online webinar - "Ten Essential Things Parents Should Know About IEPs"
March 2020 - Southeastern Advocacy Group Special Ed Conference - online webinar - "School Closures and IEPs"
April 2020 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) - online webinar - "Special Education During School Closures"
July 2020 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) - online webinar - "Special Education Challenges During COVID-19"
July 2020 - Effingham County Navigator Team - online Q & A discussion - "Special Education Challenges During COVID-19"
August 2020 - Empowered Parents of Georgia in conjunction with RBR Consulting - online webinar - "Advanced IEP Toolkit for Parents: What to Say/Write and When"
January 2021 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) - 34th Annual Conference - online webinar - "Successful Parent Advocacy with IEPs"
January 2022 - FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress) - 35th Annual Conference - online webinar - "How to Create an Effective IEP"