Educational Advocacy

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking attorneys to provide educational advocacy services for transition-aged individuals supported by DDS. The selected attorneys will represent parents, foster parents, guardians, and other special education decision makers in disputes with local school districts regarding residential educational placements. The services will include appearing before the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), negotiating with school officials, and providing case-specific consultation to DDS staff. • The selected attorneys will be required to have at least 5 years of experience litigating cases regarding students with disabilities at the elementary and secondary level. • The attorneys will be paid an hourly rate of $200.00 per hour for their services. • The contract is expected to last for 5 years and 1 month, with an estimated value of $200,000. • The attorneys will be required to submit invoices and payment vouchers quarterly, and the Commonwealth will only pay for actual time spent completing a task.