We know the headlines around special education these days are hard to take in.

Federal layoffs in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) could affect oversight of $15 billion in IDEA funding, putting some services your child may be receiving at risk. 

In this episode, former OSEP chief of staff Meghan Whittaker joins host Julian and journalist Ray Jacobson from the Hyperfocus podcast to explain what this means for schools, IEPs, and families. Learn how funding, vouchers, and state control could impact your child — and what parents can do to protect their rights.

For more on this topic:

• What the special education layoffs mean for your child’s IEP and school services
• What happens to my child’s IEP if the U.S. Department of Education closes?
• The R-word is back: How do you get people to care? 
• Special education: Federal law vs. state law

Timestamps:  

(02:00) Federal layoffs at OSEP: What happened and why it matters

(06:00) Understanding IDEA and federal oversight

(11:00) Real-life impact on schools and students

(18:00) Vouchers vs. public school funding: What families should know

(26:00) States taking over: Risks and challenges

(30:00) Equity concerns and how parents can advocate

For a transcript and more resources, visit the episode page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at [email protected].

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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