Please join us as Elissa Green Kaustinen, Thompson Policy Institute Director and Paul Eisenberg, Educational Advocate, explain the Individual Education Plan (IEP) with suggestions on how to get the support your student needs.
About the Speakers
Elissa Green Kaustinen is the Thompson Policy Institute Families, Agencies and Students Together Director at The Thompson Autism Center @ CHOC. Prior to joining the Thompson Autism Center @CHOC Elissa has worked within the public school system the last 17 years, which included 7 years as a school psychologist and 10 years as an administrator within special education. Recently Elissa served the community of Newport Mesa Unified School district in the role of Special Education Coordinator. As a Special Education Coordinator Elissa has experience in many areas including special education assessments, inclusive practices, developing Individual Education Plans, counseling, developing and implementing behavioral programs, autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Throughout Elissa’s career she has promoted a culture of inclusivity and advocated to support all students.
Paul Eisenberg, Educational Advocate, has provided advocacy assistance and representation to over 2,000 families with special needs since 1984. He has represented families in the education process at Individual Education Planning meetings, Mediations, and Resolution meetings; Individual Program Planning meetings, Mediations, Informal Meetings and Fair Hearings for Regional Center services and Eligibility. He has facilitated workshops for support groups on special education issues and the Lanterman Act. He specializes in working with families using interest-based negotiations in a non-adversarial relationship. Mr. Eisenberg is also a parent of special needs children.
He has a Master's in Management, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and a background of working with autistic children and adults as a behaviorist. He also has worked for two different Regional Centers and was an advocate for the Developmental Disabilities Area Board, a state agency under the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. He has experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Behavior Management & IEP Development. Website