EDUCATION FIRST

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School suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement lead to higher drop out rates, increase the risk of delinquency or criminal involvement, and disproportionately target students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students. Simply put: Harsh school discipline does not work. The Education First program fights against the School to Prison Pipeline. We believe children belong in schools, not cages.

Since 2018, CJDC has provided direct representation in disciplinary and special education proceedings while supporting young people as they fight against municipal, delinquency, and criminal filings stemming from school-related issues. Through the generosity and support of the Nord Family Foundation, Elie Zwiebel has been supervising the Education First program since its inception. If you are facing a suspension, expulsion, or any other disciplinary issue at school, please contact our office; or if you are in need of special education advocacy support, please contact our office.  CJDC offers pro-bono legal representation for low income students and families.

Education First offers several different trainings for different audiences—including “Know Your Rights at School” workshops for students and families and primers on school discipline and special education law for advocates and professionals. If you would like more information about these trainings, please contact our office.

CJDC proudly partners with community organizations, including Padres y Jovenes Unidos. CJDC also partners with other legal organizations that serve young people experiencing poverty, including the Colorado Office of the State Public Defender, the Office of Alternate Defense Counsel, the Office of the Child’s Representative, and Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center. CJDC also works closely with Colorado guardians ad litem, treatment providers, social workers, foster families, probation officers, and other members of young peoples’ support teams.

If you are seeking representation because you received a favorable outcome in a state complaint and the school district filed a Due Process Complaint to appeal or reverse the outcome of the state complaint, please click here to see if you are eligible to have your representation paid for under HB23-1168.