Specifications include, but are not limited to: Re-Opening-Legal Services-Educational Advocacy; represent parents, foster parents, guardians and other special education decision makers (hereafter collectively referred to as “education decision makers”) of DCF-involved children with disabilities pertaining to the provision of educational services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., M.G.L. c. 71B, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (hereafter “Section 504”), and federal and state regulations promulgated under these provisions. While there is no entitlement or obligation on the part of the Department to provide this service, attorneys contracted through this RFR will represent education decision makers for children who are currently receiving services from DCF area offices across the state. Second, to represent a DCF-involved child who is at risk of expulsion or is prevented from attending school because of discipline issues in matters pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71, s. 37H. Third, the Department also seeks to utilize the contracted attorneys for educational advocacy consults with the Departmental staff or their agents.
