The Launch of Our Education Advocacy Program
In 2017, the Board of Directors of the Children’s Law Center (CLC) determined that there is a lack of resources for children in our community related to their rights within the public education system and no organization for them to turn to. Given the need for child advocacy in public education in Forsyth County and that CLC is a champion of children’s legal interests, they decided the CLC should provide these services.
Since that day, the CLC has been working to understand the educational landscape in our community, identify specific needs of children as they pertain to public education, research similar work in our state and the nation, and secure funding for our own program. In May of 2023, we are officially launching the Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina’s Education Advocacy Program (EAP).
The goal of the EAP is to advocate for students’ right to an equitable, quality education. Our focus is to address individual needs and educate the public on the rights of students with Special Education, Section 504, and school discipline related issues.
The EAP provides free legal advocacy, information, and resources for students and families in Forsyth County. Our program focuses on the rights of students with disabilities, and students facing suspensions, expulsions, and alternative school placements, and students with mental or physical health needs that affect school performance. The program seeks to empower parents and guardians to advocate for their children’s educational rights. EAP Director Hayley Lampkin Blyth highlights the relationship between her role and the family, “As an education attorney, I have a certain toolkit, but that does not mean that I have all the answers. Families and students know what is best. My goal is to listen to students and families about their educational goals and then work together, as a team, to advocate for the best possible educational outcome. I learn something new from every student and family that I have the honor of working with.”
The EAP will have two main components: Community workshops and one-on-one advice and/or legal representation for education-related issues.
The Community Workshops will be held in various locations throughout Forsyth County and are aimed at helping students and families understand their legal rights related to special education, Section 504, suspensions, expulsions, and alternative school placements. These workshops are intended to empower and equip parents and guardians with knowledge about their student’s rights. Our goal is for parents and guardians to be able to more effectively advocate for their students once they are equipped with a better understanding of the system and how to navigate it.
In addition to hosting Community Workshops, the EAP will accept community referrals from parents and guardians who have special education, Section 504, or suspension, expulsion, or alternative school placement, as well as bullying, discrimination, and harassment related issues and may be in need of legal representation in Forsyth County.
