Hinkle Prior & Fischer is providing relevant information and resources for families and guardians related to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
CLICK HERE for lists (lower on this page) of agency responses and online resources for families and children.
We have also scheduled a series of Wednesday and Friday Zoom Meetings on topics including Estate Planning, Special Education & Remote Learning, Assessment & Evaluation in Special Education and DDD, Guardianship and more. All Zoom Meeting events are listed below.
Zoom Meeting: Quarantine Q&A on Disability Services
March 27, 2020, 3:00 PM EST
We responded to your questions about special education, related services, remote learning, DDD, Medicaid and more in the midst of rapidly changing COVID-related closures and shut downs.
Zoom Meeting: Special Education: Legal Concerns When Schools Close
Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
This webinar will discuss education rights in a remote learning setting, provision of related services, and compensatory education issues. The presentation will focus on preparing you to advocate for your child’s needs when schools reopen. A Q&A session followed if time allowed.
Zoom Meeting: Quarantine Q&A on Adult Services
Friday, April 3, 2020, 3:00 PM EST
During this Q&A we will field your questions on various adult service related issues.
Zoom Meeting: Adult Services: Legal Concerns for Individuals in Group Homes
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
This webinar will focus on the intersection of the individual served, parents/guardians, and group home providers. The role of the group home provider to ensure the safety of all individuals and staff, along with the rights of the family will be discussed. Practical implications and limitations during this public health crises will be reviewed. A Q&A session followed if time allowed.
Zoom Meeting: Quarantine Q&A on Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts
Friday, April 10, 2020, 3:00 PM EST
During this Q&A we will field your questions on various estate planning, preservation of government benefits and special needs trust issues.
Zoom Meeting: Assessments and Evaluations in a Time of Social Distancing
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
This webinar will provide an overview of when and how to most effectively conduct meetings and evaluations. Considerations for IEPs, triannual reviews in special education matters, and NJCAT evaluations will be discussed. Preparing for the effects of social distancing, loss of service, change in routine, increased behaviors, regression and tips for what can be done once this public health crisis has passed will be provided. A Q&A session followed if time allowed.
Zoom Meeting: Quarantine Q&A on Special Education
Friday, April 17, 2020, 11:00 AM EST
During this Q&A we will field your questions on various special education related issues.
Zoom Meeting: Being a Guardian During a National Public Health Crisis
Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
This webinar will focus on the role of a guardian, access to the individual and ability to be keep informed, including whether the crisis can infringe on the rights of the guardian. Practical implications and limitation will be discussed. A Q&A session followed if time allowed.
Zoom Meeting: Quarantine Q&A on Medicaid, SSI, Housing & Other Important Benefits
Friday, April 24, 2020, 3:00 PM EST
During this Q&A we will field your questions on various government assistance benefits including Medicaid, SSI, housing, and other benefits.
Zoom Meeting: Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts: What You’ve All Been Thinking About, But Too Afraid to Ask
Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 12:00 PM EST
An overview of the need to ensure your estate planning documents are in order and how to complete these documents during a stay at home order. This webinar discussed the documents necessary to ensure your child with special needs is financially protected and maintains eligibility for benefits after your death. A Q&A session follow if time allowed.
COVID-19 Agency Responses
- New Jersey Department of Health Memo on Hospitalizations of Individuals with Disabilities: Support Person Permitted for a Patient with a Disability
- NJBOD/NJDOE Modification of N.J.A.C. 6A:14, Special Education, Related Services, adopted by State Board of Education, Department of Education
- USHHS/OCR Issues Bulletin on Civil Rights Laws and HIPAA Flexibilities That Apply During the COVID-19 Emergency
- USDOE Memo – Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
- COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies
- USDOE-OCR Memo – Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students
- NJDCF Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
- NJDHS Novel Coronavirus Information
- Governor Murphy Announces Departmental Actions to Expand Access to Telehealth and Tele-Mental Health Services in Response to COVID-19
- Social Security Administration News Release – Effective March 17, 2020, Social Security Offices Will Only Offer Phone Service – Online Services Remain Available
- USDOE/OCR/OSERS Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
COVID-19 and Children/Families
We’d also like to share some links with good information regarding Coronavirus for children and families:
- New Jersey Department of Health Memo on Hospitalizations of Individuals with Disabilities: Support Person Permitted for a Patient with a Disability
- Autism Society COVID-19 page
- Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) – Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
- CDC – Talking with Children about Coronavirus
- CDC – FAQs for Individuals and Families
- CDC – Coronavirus and Children
- PBS – How to talk to your kids about Coronavirus
- American Academy of Pediatrics – Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness
- UNICEF – What Parents Should Know About Coronavirus
Or 
Hinkle, Prior & Fischer attorneys are available to speak to your organization or constituents on a wide variety of relevant disability topics. 