Activities

COPAA combines both traditional and innovate means to support its members. This encompasses an ambitious combination of support, publications and communications. Volunteerism and use of the Internet is central to COPAA's activities. Materials are distributed in electronic form whenever possible to reduce costs and increase access. Examples include:

·Committees:

oExecutive

oLeadership and Governance

oMembership

oConference

§Logistics

§Program

oFinance

oFundraising/Public Relations

oProgram+Projects+Parent Training

oWebsite+Communications

oGovernment Relations/Legislative

oAmicus

·Training:

oAnnual Conference: COPAA hosts an annual multi-day institute providing information and

training for attorneys, advocates and parents on planning and obtaining effective special

education programs pursuant to the IDEA.

oStatewide Parent Training: With the support of local parent support organizations,

COPAA organizes and presents a one-day program designed to increase parents' knowledge

of their legal rights under Federal and state law and improve their ability to use those

rights effectively.

oAdvocacy Training (under development).

oAttorney Training (under development).

·Publications:

oMember Bulletin: COPAA Notes: password protected on-line publication of membership

news and related special education and advocacy developments.

oAdditional publications will be noted as available.

·Communications:

oExtensive site on the World Wide Web.

oE-mail Discussion Groups:

§COPAA Discussion List: closed moderated general e-mail listserv for all categories of

membership. Copaa membership permits listserv participation pursuant to the listserv

rules. Listserv information is archived and available for member access.

§COPAALAW Discussion List: Limited access, closed unmoderated e-mail listserv

available to any COPAA member who is an attorney and who joins at the attorney level.

Listserv information is archived and available for member access.

·Advocacy and Legal Resources:

oNET COPAA: state-by-state guide to COPAA members who have volunteered to be

available for information and support.

oParent Attorneys: state-by-state list of attorneys who represent parents of children

with disabilities (courtesy of EDLAW).

oDatabanks: sample legal documents (pleadings, motions, decisions etc.) on password

protected site for use by COPAA members.