Kidlaw

ACNJ

Navigating child and family law can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Our YouTube channel and podcast program are designed with you in mind, delivering clear, digestible breakdowns of the laws, regulations, and government programs that affect children and families at every level: federal, state, and local. No legal jargon. No confusion. Just real information you can actually use.

Our signature Whiteboard Explainer Videos walk you through everything from landmark Supreme Court decisions and upcoming legislation to benefits programs and advocacy resources. Every whiteboard video is also available as a podcast on Apple or Spotify, so you can tune in if you prefer to learn on the go. No screen required.

Kidlaw's content also powers the Digital Content Kits used by community seminar leaders across the country — so what you're watching and listening to is the same trusted material being used in classrooms, churches, and community centers everywhere.

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Yesterday · 18 min
School Environment
School Environment Every school day runs on an invisible rulebook of law. From lockers to lawsuits, discover the hidden legal system governing safety, speech, and rights in schools. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. Duty of care and the in loco parentis legal doctrine 2. How negligence claims against schools actually work 3. Bullying, harassment, and the Davis v. Monroe standard 4. School safety drills, threat assessment, and prevention 5. Zero tolerance and the Gun-Free Schools Act rules 6. Cybersecurity threats and the student privacy alphabet 7. The rising deepfake crisis and Title IX protections 8. Civil rights: Title VI, Title IX, and shifting rules 9. Disability rights under IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA 10. Free speech, searches, and AI use in classrooms today Behind every school day sits a dense web of law shaping how students are protected, disciplined, and taught. This description unpacks the legal duty schools owe students, why negligence claims succeed or fail, and how courts define liability for bullying under the Davis standard. It covers safety mandates, from emergency drills to the Gun-Free Schools Act's zero-tolerance rules, and explains how threat assessment models emerged from real attack data. Digital life gets equal attention: cybersecurity breaches, the FERPA-COPPA-CIPA-PPRA privacy framework, and the alarming rise of AI-generated deepfakes now treated as Title IX harassment. Civil rights protections under Title VI and Title IX, disability rights through IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA, plus newer laws like the CROWN Act, round out the equal-access picture. Landmark rulings on due process, free speech, and school searches show where constitutional rights meet institutional authority. Finally, the rapid rise of AI tools in classrooms raises fresh questions about privacy, integrity, and trust. Together, these threads reveal school as a living legal ecosystem balancing safety, freedom, and fast-moving technology. Learn more about School Environment by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/18/school-environment/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #SchoolLaw,#EducationLaw,#StudentRights,#DutyOfCare,#SchoolSafety,#Bullying,#TitleIX,#TitleVI,#CivilRights,#DisabilityRights,#IDEA,#Section504,#ADA,#CROWNAct,#FreeSpeech,#FourthAmendment,#DueProcess,#SchoolSearches,#Deepfakes,#StudentPrivacy,#FERPA,#COPPA,#CIPA,#PPRA,#Cybersecurity,#ZeroTolerance,#GunFreeSchoolsAct,#ThreatAssessment,#AIinEducation,#EdLaw,#KidLaw,#SchoolPolicy,#ParentsRights Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
Friday · 17 min
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act Every school day, over 30 million American kids depend on a 1946 law that still decides what lands on their lunch tray. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How Truman's 1946 signature created the National School Lunch Program 2. Why the Act was also designed to absorb American farm surpluses 3. How USDA funding and reimbursements actually flow to schools 4. Eligibility rules for free and reduced-price school meals 5. Why lunch assistance can't legally count as income or a resource 6. The rise of lunch shaming and the legal questions it raises 7. How school meals connect to grades, focus, and behavior 8. The Community Eligibility Provision and automatic enrollment 9. The 2025 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and its 2026 rule 10. What's next: universal free meals and the Kids Need Lunch Act The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act has quietly run the American school cafeteria since 1946, balancing two goals from the start: feeding children and supporting domestic agriculture. Renamed in 1999 to honor Senator Richard Russell Jr., the law has been reshaped repeatedly, most notably by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This broadcast traces how the Act funds schools, sets eligibility thresholds, and shields lunch assistance from being counted as income under any state or federal law. It also confronts harder chapters, from poorly enforced antidiscrimination riders in 1946 to today's fight against lunch shaming and meal debt. With over thirty million children served daily, the program is tied to measurable gains in health, attendance, and academic performance. The episode closes on where the law is headed now: the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, pending reimbursement increases, and proposals like the Kids Need Lunch Act that would make school lunch free nationwide. Learn more about Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/21/richard-b-russell-national-school-lunch-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #SchoolLunchAct,#NationalSchoolLunchProgram,#RichardBRussellAct,#ChildNutrition,#USDA,#HealthyHungerFreeKidsAct,#FoodInsecurity,#SchoolMeals,#FreeLunch,#ReducedPriceMeals,#LunchShaming,#CommunityEligibilityProvision,#ChildNutritionReauthorization,#WholeMilkForHealthyKidsAct,#KidsNeedLunchAct,#ACNJ,#Kidlaw,#EdPolicy,#FoodPolicy,#PublicHealth,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
Wednesday · 18 min
Perkins V Act
Perkins V Act A quiet federal law controls $1.4 billion a year and shapes millions of students' futures. Meet Perkins V, the act rewriting how America trains tomorrow's workforce, one classroom at a time. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What Perkins V is and why Congress passed it in 2018 2. How $1.4 billion in CTE funding reaches every state 3. The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) explained 4. Why Programs of Study replaced isolated CTE courses 5. How special populations gain equity protections 6. Why funding now reaches middle school students 7. How industry partnerships shape what's taught 8. New accountability metrics and non-traditional enrollment 9. Effects on correctional and juvenile justice education 10. Where Perkins V is headed between 2024 and 2026 Perkins V, formally the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, reauthorizes and modernizes the 2006 Carl D. Perkins Act. Since the 2020-2021 school year, it has directed federal dollars toward Career and Technical Education, linking high schools, colleges, and employers. The law requires local agencies to run a needs assessment every two years, build real pathways instead of standalone courses, and expand support for students with disabilities, foster youth, English learners, and other special populations. It also pushes career exploration into middle schools, mandates employer consultation, and tracks new outcomes like graduation rates and non-traditional enrollment. As of 2024-2025, federal officials are tightening oversight, standardizing data reporting, and revising what counts as a CTE "concentrator," signaling that career and technical education is now central to national education policy rather than a side path. Learn more about Perkins V Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/24/perkins-v-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #PerkinsV,#CareerAndTechnicalEducation,#CTE,#EducationPolicy,#WorkforceDevelopment,#CTEFunding,#CLNA,#EquityInEducation,#SpecialPopulations,#StudentSuccess,#SchoolAdministration,#CorrectionalEducation,#IndustryPartnerships,#HighSkillJobs,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#EducationLaw,#K12Education,#PostsecondaryPathways,#EducationReform,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
Monday · 15 min
Perez v. Sturgis
Perez v. Sturgis One deaf student. One unanimous Supreme Court ruling. Discover how Perez v. Sturgis dismantled a legal barrier and changed the fight for disability rights in schools forever. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. Why Miguel Luna Perez sued Sturgis Public Schools 2. How the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in March 2023 3. Why exhausting IDEA procedures is no longer required 4. When students can sue directly under the ADA for damages 5. How this raises school districts' financial liability 6. Why IDEA settlements no longer block later ADA lawsuits 7. How families can pursue emotional distress damages 8. Why staffing and interpreter access face new scrutiny 9. How advocacy groups view this as a landmark victory 10. Where the standard for proving discrimination may be heading In 2023, the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools removed a major procedural hurdle for students with disabilities. Families no longer must complete the IDEA's administrative process before seeking monetary damages under the ADA or Section 504. The ruling has already reshaped litigation strategy, settlement negotiations, and school compliance practices nationwide, with nearly every post-decision case siding with plaintiffs. For students, families, attorneys, and administrators alike, understanding this shift is essential to navigating special education law today. Learn more about Perez v. Sturgis by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/perez-v-sturgis-public-schools-2023/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #PerezvSturgis,#SupremeCourt,#DisabilityRights,#SpecialEducation,#IDEA,#ADA,#Section504,#EducationLaw,#DisabilityLaw,#DeafEducation,#FAPE,#SchoolDistrictLiability,#KidLaw,#EducationalAdvocacy,#CivilRights,#LegalNews,#SpecialEdLaw,#InclusiveEducation,#StudentRights,#AccessToJustice,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 17 · 17 min
Morse v. Frederick
Morse v. Frederick A fourteen-foot banner on a public sidewalk in Juneau, Alaska changed student speech law forever — and landed a teenager in front of the Supreme Court. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How a 2002 Olympic Torch Relay led to a landmark First Amendment case 2. The story behind the infamous "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner 3. Why Principal Deborah Morse suspended student Joseph Frederick 4. How the District Court and Ninth Circuit reached opposite rulings 5. The 5-4 Supreme Court decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts 6. Why schools can restrict speech seen as promoting illegal drug use 7. How Morse narrowed, without overturning, Tinker v. Des Moines 8. Justice Alito's limits and Justice Thomas's dissenting views 9. How school authority expanded to off-campus, school-sanctioned events 10. Why the drug-speech exception still applies despite marijuana reform Morse v. Frederick, decided in 2007, remains one of the most consequential student speech rulings in American law. When a Juneau high schooler unfurled a banner referencing drugs during a school-supervised Olympic Torch Relay viewing, the resulting suspension triggered a legal battle that reached the nation's highest court. The Supreme Court's narrow ruling gave school officials new authority to restrict messages reasonably viewed as encouraging illegal drug use, even without proof of substantial disruption. Rather than replacing the earlier Tinker standard, Morse carved out a specific exception tied to drug-related speech, while leaving broader student expression protected. This broadcast breaks down the case's origins, the Court's reasoning, the dissenting views, and the ripple effects on school administrators, advocacy groups, and students navigating free speech rights in and around campus today. Learn more about Morse v. Frederick by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/05/morse-v-frederick/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #MorseVFrederick,#BongHits4Jesus,#StudentFreeSpeech,#FirstAmendment,#SupremeCourt,#TinkerVDesMoines,#SchoolLaw,#EducationLaw,#StudentRights,#ConstitutionalLaw,#SchoolAdministration,#QualifiedImmunity,#DrugPolicy,#CivilLiberties,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#LetsTalkKids,#LegalHistory,#SchoolSpeech,#JuneauAlaska,#ChiefJusticeRoberts,#LandmarkCase,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 16 · 17 min
MHSSA Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2021 (H.R.721-S.1841)
MHSSA Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2021 (H.R.721-S.1841) Behind every locker is a student silently struggling—anxiety, grief, trauma, even thoughts of suicide. A bipartisan bill puts mental health help right down the hall. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. $200 million in grants for school-based mental health services 2. $130 million authorized yearly, FY2022-2025 3. Expands Project AWARE across the nation's schools 4. Trains staff to spot student mental health needs early 5. Targets foster, LGBTQ+, and suspended/expelled youth 6. Funds on-campus trauma-informed screening and treatment 7. Partners schools with community mental health providers 8. Shifts discipline from punitive to therapeutic approaches 9. Reduces school-to-prison pipeline and juvenile arrests 10. Bill's evolution: House passage in 2021, revived in 2025 The Mental Health Services for Students Act, H.R.721/S.1841, amends the Public Health Service Act to expand Project AWARE, funding on-campus screening, trauma-informed treatment, and suicide prevention for K-12 students. Passed by the House in 2021 but stalled in the Senate, its goals returned in 2025 as H.R.5557. Grants reach up to $2 million per entity over five years, prioritizing foster youth, LGBTQ+ students, and those facing suspension or expulsion. The law reframes discipline, shifting schools away from suspension and arrest toward therapeutic intervention, easing the school-to-prison pipeline. Administrators gain funding to hire counselors and psychologists, while advocacy groups push for full appropriations. As youth anxiety and depression diagnoses climbed sharply between 2016 and 2020, this legislation positions mental health support as a core part of education, not an afterthought. Learn more about MHSSA Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2021 (H.R.721-S.1841) by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/12/mhssa-mental-health-services-for-students-act-of-2021-h-r-721-s-1841/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #MentalHealthServicesForStudentsAct,#HR721,#S1841,#ProjectAWARE,#SchoolMentalHealth,#YouthMentalHealth,#SuicidePrevention,#SchoolToPrisonPipeline,#TraumaInformedCare,#K12MentalHealth,#PublicHealthServiceAct,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#StudentWellbeing,#MentalHealthPolicy,#SchoolCounselors,#RestorativeJustice,#EducationPolicy,#ChildAdvocacy,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 14 · 15 min
HEOA Education Opportunity Act of 2008
HEOA Education Opportunity Act of 2008 One federal law reshaped every college campus in America: the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Here's what it really changed for students, families, and schools. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What is the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008? 2. Its five core goals: transparency, cost, aid, accountability 3. Over 100 new reporting and regulatory requirements explained 4. Required public reporting on retention, graduation, crime data 5. Copyright rules colleges use to fight illegal file-sharing 6. FAFSA simplification and new student loan protections 7. Textbook cost disclosure rules, right down to the ISBN 8. New federal aid access for students with intellectual disabilities 9. Campus safety, fire logs, and missing student procedures 10. How the HEOA keeps evolving through 2025-2026 regulations The HEOA reauthorized the Higher Education Act of 1965, turning federal oversight into a near-constant presence on campus. It forced schools to police copyright infringement, publish extensive consumer data, and tighten campus safety and loan practices. Students with intellectual disabilities gained access to Pell Grants and work-study through CTP programs, without needing a diploma or GED. Advocacy groups now push to reverse the ban on federal student-level data, expand digital accessibility, and hold institutions accountable for loan practices, teacher preparation, and true transparency. Though never fully reauthorized since 2008, the law keeps evolving through regulation, litigation, and policy debate, still shaping how every American college operates today. Learn more about HEOA Education Opportunity Act of 2008 by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/06/heoa-education-opportunity-act-of-2008/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #HEOA,#HigherEducationOpportunityAct,#HigherEducationAct,#FAFSA,#StudentLoans,#CollegeCosts,#CampusSafety,#DisabilityRights,#CTPProgram,#PellGrant,#WorkStudy,#CopyrightLaw,#FileSharing,#StudentAid,#CollegeTransparency,#EducationPolicy,#KidLaw,#ACNJ,#EducationLaw,#TextbookCosts,#FederalLaw,#CollegeAdmissions,#StudentRights,#MaxineECarter Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 12 · 16 min
GFSA Gun-Free Schools Act
GFSA Gun-Free Schools Act One federal law changed how American schools handle guns—forcing mandatory expulsions, fueling zero-tolerance policies, and igniting decades of fierce debate over safety, fairness, and justice. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What the Gun-Free Schools Act (GFSA) actually requires 2. How GFSA differs from the Gun-Free School Zones Act 3. The mandatory one-year expulsion rule explained 4. How firearms and "school" are legally defined 5. Reporting and referral requirements for districts 6. The 1997 amendment extending rules to drugs 7. How GFSA fueled the school-to-prison pipeline 8. Disproportionate impacts on marginalized students 9. Legal challenges, including United States v. Lopez 10. Where GFSA stands today and proposed reforms The Gun-Free Schools Act, passed in 1994, ties federal education funding to a strict rule: districts must expel students who bring firearms to school for at least one year. Though distinct from the 1990 Gun-Free School Zones Act, GFSA transformed campus discipline, launching an era of zero tolerance that critics say deepened the school-to-prison pipeline and disproportionately harmed students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ youth. Supporters point to deterrence, national consistency, and safer classrooms. Decades of amendments, court rulings like United States v. Lopez, and shifting advocacy priorities-from stricter gun storage to restorative justice and trauma-informed care-continue to reshape how this law is applied. This broadcast breaks down the statute, its unintended consequences, and where reform efforts stand today. Learn more about GFSA Gun-Free Schools Act by visiting https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/15/gfsa-gun-free-schools-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #GunFreeSchoolsAct,#GFSA,#SchoolSafety,#ZeroTolerance,#SchoolToPrisonPipeline,#K12Education,#EducationLaw,#StudentRights,#SchoolDiscipline,#GunViolencePrevention,#EducationPolicy,#JuvenileJustice,#RestorativeJustice,#CivilRights,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#SchoolPolicy,#FederalLaw,#UnitedStatesVLopez,#EducationReform Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 10 · 16 min
Flores v. Arizona
Flores v. Arizona One lawsuit reshaped how America teaches English learners. Flores v. Arizona exposed broken school funding, sparked a Supreme Court showdown, and rewrote the rules for millions of immigrant students. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. Why Arizona was sued over English Language Learner funding 2. How Flores v. Arizona became Horne v. Flores in 2009 3. What the Equal Educational Opportunities Act requires 4. Why a court called Arizona's ELL funding arbitrary and capricious 5. How the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling shifted power to the states 6. What structured English immersion (SEI) means for classrooms 7. How House Bill 2010 boosted funding for EL students 8. Why administrators face personal liability for noncompliance 9. How advocacy groups keep pushing for equitable resources 10. What Senate Bill 1014 changed about the four-hour model Flores v. Arizona began in 1992 as a fight over funding for English Language Learner programs in the Nogales Unified School District. A federal court found the state's approach arbitrary and capricious, triggering years of litigation under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act. In 2009, the Supreme Court's decision in Horne v. Flores reshaped the case, favoring state flexibility over strict funding mandates and emphasizing student outcomes over dollar amounts. The ruling limited federal oversight of education policy, pushed Arizona toward structured English immersion, and led to real reforms like House Bill 2010's funding boost. More than three decades later, the debate over how best to serve English learners, and who controls that decision, continues to evolve through laws like Senate Bill 1014. Learn more about Flores v. Arizona by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/26/flores-v-arizona/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #FloresVArizona,#HorneVFlores,#EnglishLanguageLearners,#ELLEducation,#EEOA,#SupremeCourt,#EducationLaw,#SchoolFunding,#StructuredEnglishImmersion,#SEI,#BilingualEducation,#ImmigrantStudents,#EducationPolicy,#Federalism,#ArizonaSchools,#KidLaw,#ACNJ,#EducationEquity,#LanguageAccess,#CivilRights Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript
October 9 · 17 min
ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act What happens when a law shifts power from Washington to your local school board—and to kids in detention or foster care? Meet ESSA, the law quietly rewriting the American school day. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What ESSA is and why it replaced No Child Left Behind 2. How states now control accountability and standards 3. Required annual testing in grades 3-8, once in high school 4. Why transparent school report cards matter for parents 5. How ESSA protects disadvantaged and high-need students 6. New flexibility for federal funding and interventions 7. Why the "highly qualified teacher" mandate was dropped 8. How juvenile justice credits now transfer to home schools 9. Foster care enrollment protections built into ESSA 10. Why advocacy groups still watch state ESSA plans closely ESSA, the Every Student Succeeds Act, became the primary K-12 education law in 2015, replacing No Child Left Behind's rigid, test-only model. It shifts real authority to states, letting them design accountability systems, set standards, and choose interventions for struggling schools while preserving core equity protections for disadvantaged students. This episode explores how ESSA reshaped testing, funding flexibility, and teacher evaluation, plus its lesser-known reach into the justice system: juvenile detention credits must now transfer to home schools, and foster youth get stronger enrollment protections. Advocates continue tracking state ESSA plans to ensure flexibility doesn't erode equity for English learners, students with disabilities, and other high-need populations. It's a law still being written state by state. Learn more about ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/essa-every-student-succeeds-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #ESSA, #EveryStudentSucceedsAct, #EducationLaw, #NoChildLeftBehind, #K12Education, #SchoolAccountability, #EducationPolicy, #JuvenileJustice, #FosterCareEducation, #EnglishLearners, #StudentsWithDisabilities, #EducationEquity, #Kidlaw, #ACNJ, #SchoolReportCards, #TeacherQuality, #EducationReform Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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October 7 · 16 min
ESEA Elementary and Secondary Education Act
One law touches nearly every public school in America. Discover how the Elementary and Secondary Education Act became the backbone of equity, funding, and accountability in K-12 education. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How ESEA became the foundation of U.S. K-12 education law 2. Why Title I-A sends federal dollars to low-income schools 3. How annual assessments track student progress statewide 4. What accountability means for the lowest-performing schools 5. How Title II funds teacher training and recruitment 6. Why State Report Cards give parents transparency 7. How ESEA intersects with the school-to-prison pipeline 8. What NCLB and ESSA changed about federal oversight 9. How advocacy groups push for equity and accountability 10. What 2026 reforms could reshape ESEA's future Since 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has served as the nation's principal federal education law, sending resources to districts serving low-income children and pushing every state toward equal opportunity. This broadcast traces its path from President Johnson's original civil rights vision through No Child Left Behind and the Every Student Succeeds Act, explaining how testing, teacher quality, and parental transparency requirements evolved along the way. We examine how the law shapes school discipline and justice outcomes, what benefits reach students directly, how administrators manage its funding streams, and why advocacy groups remain vigilant about equity gaps. Finally, we look at 2026 developments, including proposed legislation that could redefine federal involvement in education for years to come. Learn more about ESEA Elementary and Secondary Education Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/13/esea-elementary-and-secondary-education-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #ESEA,#ElementaryAndSecondaryEducationAct,#EducationLaw,#TitleI,#NoChildLeftBehind,#EveryStudentSucceedsAct,#ESSA,#K12Education,#EducationalEquity,#SchoolFunding,#CivilRightsLaw,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#EducationPolicy,#SchoolToPrisonPipeline,#TeacherQuality,#StudentAccountability,#EducationAdvocacy,#SpecialEducation,#EnglishLanguageLearners Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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October 5 · 16 min
Dobbs Decision Supreme Court
One ruling ended fifty years of federal abortion rights and rewrote American law overnight. Here's what the Dobbs decision means for courts, schools, families, and children today. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey 2. Why the Court called Roe "egregiously wrong" under a new test 3. How abortion authority shifted from federal to state control 4. Why the viability standard was rejected as the dividing line 5. How the rational basis test now governs abortion restrictions 6. Why state courts became the main battleground for abortion law 7. How fetal personhood laws reshape custody and child support 8. Why colleges face new legal and Title IX questions 9. How advocacy groups shifted focus to states and ballots 10. What EMTALA, IVF, and contraception fights mean for the future On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ended nearly fifty years of federal abortion protection, returning regulatory authority to the states. The decision triggered a fragmented legal landscape: some states banned abortion outright while others enshrined new protections, sparking lawsuits, ballot fights, and unresolved questions over fetal personhood, custody, and child support. Schools now navigate liability, Title IX, and medical training gaps, while advocacy groups pivot from federal courts to state capitols. As of 2026, more than twenty states restrict access, even as voters in Michigan and Ohio pushed back. Emerging battles over EMTALA, IVF, and contraception show the ruling's reach extending far beyond abortion itself, shaping healthcare and law for young people nationwide. Learn more about Dobbs Decision Supreme Court by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/dobbs-decision-supreme-court/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #DobbsDecision,#RoeVWade,#SupremeCourt,#AbortionLaw,#PlannedParenthoodVCasey,#StatesRights,#ReproductiveRights,#FetalPersonhood,#TitleIX,#EMTALA,#ChildCustodyLaw,#KidLaw,#ACNJ,#LegalEducation,#StateLaw,#ConstitutionalLaw,#WomensHealth,#IVFRights,#ChildWelfare,#LawExplained Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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October 3 · 15 min
COPPA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
COPPA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Millions of kids go online every day, leaving behind names, photos, and locations. Here's the law built to protect them: COPPA. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What COPPA is and why Congress passed it in 1998 2. Which websites and apps COPPA actually covers 3. How verifiable parental consent actually works 4. What a compliant children's privacy policy must include 5. Parental rights to review, revoke, and delete data 6. How the FTC enforces COPPA and issues penalties 7. Why schools can consent on behalf of parents 8. How the 2025 amendments changed data retention rules 9. New AI-related consent requirements for children's data 10. What COPPA 2.0 could mean for teens' privacy COPPA (16 CFR Part 312) requires parental consent before companies collect data from kids under 13, covering privacy policies, security, and deletion rights. Enforced by the FTC, it reshapes litigation, school technology procurement, and advocacy priorities. The 2025 amendments overhaul retention limits, add AI-training consent rules, and introduce photo-ID and text-plus verification, with most compliance deadlines landing by April 2026. Proposed COPPA 2.0 would extend protections to teens. This broadcast breaks down what the law covers, how it's enforced, and where it's headed next. Learn more about COPPA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/coppa-childrens-online-privacy-protection-act/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #COPPA,#ChildrensPrivacy,#FTC,#DataPrivacy,#OnlineSafety,#ParentalConsent,#EdTech,#COPPA2,#KidsOnline,#DigitalPrivacyLaw,#ACNJ,#KidLaw Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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October 2 · 16 min
CCES Child Care Entitlement to States
Millions of families depend on it, yet few understand how this $3.55B fund shapes child care, courtrooms, and classrooms nationwide. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How CCES delivers $3.55 billion a year in child care funding 2. The two funding buckets: mandatory dollars and MOE matches 3. Who qualifies: TANF families, income caps, and work rules 4. How CCES links to CCDBG rules to form the CCDF 5. Legal fallout: audits, "Defend the Spend," and lawsuits 6. How the funds raise child care quality and access 7. New paperwork and reporting burdens for administrators 8. What advocacy groups are pushing states to change 9. CCES origins in the 1996 welfare reform law, PRWORA 10. The 2024 final rule and its uncertain future in 2025 CCES, or the Child Care Entitlement to States, sends mandatory federal dollars to states to help low-income working families afford safe, quality child care. Rooted in the Social Security Act and tied to the Child Care and Development Fund, it shapes eligibility rules, provider standards, and state budgets alike. Its reach extends into courts, school administration offices, and advocacy campaigns pushing for better pay and lower co-payments. A 2024 federal rule modernized the program, but 2025 developments have left key protections in flux, making this a critical moment to understand how CCES really works. Learn more about CCES Child Care Entitlement to States by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/cces-child-care-entitlement-to-states/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #CCES,#ChildCareEntitlement,#CCDF,#CCDBG,#ChildCarePolicy,#TANF,#SocialSecurityAct,#ChildCareSubsidies,#EarlyChildhoodEducation,#WelfareReform,#PRWORA,#ChildCareAffordability,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#FamilyPolicy,#ChildWelfareLaw,#PublicPolicy,#ChildCareFunding,#EarlyLearning,#AdministrationOfJustice Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 30 · 14 min
CASAs Court Appointed Special Advocates
CASAs Court Appointed Special Advocates A judge decides a child's fate in minutes. One volunteer changes everything. Discover how CASAs fight for kids nobody else has time for. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. How CASA volunteers began in 1977 Seattle 2. Who qualifies to become a trained CASA advocate 3. What a CASA investigation actually involves 4. Why judges accept nearly all CASA recommendations 5. How CASAs speed up overloaded court systems 6. Why children with CASAs reach stability faster 7. How CASAs improve foster youth graduation rates 8. Why CASAs matter for special education & IEPs 9. How trauma-informed care shapes CASA training 10. What new laws mean for the future of CASA advocacy CASAs are trained volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for abused and neglected children. Since 1977, the model has grown to nearly 900 programs and 79,000+ volunteers nationwide. They investigate, write independent reports, and stay with a case until a child finds permanency. Courts accept the vast majority of their recommendations, cases move faster, and children gain stability, emotional support, and better access to services. In schools, CASAs advocate for consistency, credit transfers, and special education rights. As trauma-informed and inclusive practices grow, and laws like ESSA and Family First reshape child welfare, one truth remains: every child deserves a voice. Learn more about CASAs Court Appointed Special Advocates by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/casas-court-appointed-special-advocates/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #CASA,#CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocates,#FosterCare,#ChildAdvocacy,#ChildWelfare,#JuvenileCourt,#GuardianAdLitem,#FosterYouth,#TraumaInformedCare,#EducationalAdvocacy,#KidLaw,#ACNJ,#ChildProtection,#FamilyCourt,#FosterChildren,#EveryStudentSucceedsAct,#FamilyFirstAct,#PermanencyPlanning,#IEP,#ChildrensRights Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 28 · 17 min
BASE Building an Affordable System for Early Education
BASE Building an Affordable System for Early Education A $9Billion federal plan to fix America's broken childcare system could also cut crime, ease courts, and rebuild the economy. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What BASE is and how its $9B annual funding works 2. Difference between BASE grants and MDRC's BASE project 3. How supply-side investment differs from family subsidies 4. Ways BASE raises educator wages and reduces turnover 5. How childcare investment lowers crime and legal costs 6. Perry Preschool Project's $171,473 per-child savings 7. Academic and social benefits BASE brings to children 8. Tools BASE gives administrators to stabilize staff 9. Advocacy groups' five-point priority framework 10. Current status of the Child Care for Working Families Act Childcare in America is broken: parents pay mortgage-sized bills while educators earn less than parking attendants. BASE, Building an Affordable System for Early Education, proposes $9 billion annually to fix it from the supply side, funding wages, benefits, training, and operations. This episode unpacks BASE's ripple effects across criminal justice, child development, school administration, and advocacy, plus how the Child Care for Working Families Act and state laws like New Jersey's S3910-A5717 are turning early care into public infrastructure. Learn more about BASE Building an Affordable System for Early Education by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/11/base-building-an-affordable-system-for-early-education/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #BASE,#ChildcarePolicy,#EarlyEducation,#ChildCareForWorkingFamiliesAct,#EducatorWages,#SupplySideInvestment,#SchoolReadiness,#CrimePrevention,#PerryPreschoolProject,#ChildcareReform,#EarlyChildhoodEducation,#PublicInfrastructure,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#LetsTalkKids,#PDGB5,#QRIS,#ChildDevelopment,#WorkforceStability,#FederalPolicy Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 26 · 16 min
Absolute Parens Patriae
Absolute Parens Patriae When family fails, who steps in? Discover the 900-year-old legal doctrine that lets the state become "parent" to the vulnerable. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. What parens patriae means and why it still matters today 2. Its royal origins in medieval England's Court of Chancery 3. How Ex parte Crouse (1839) brought it into American law 4. The 1899 birth of the first juvenile court in Illinois 5. Why Prince v. Massachusetts limited parental rights (1944) 6. How In re Gault (1967) gave kids due process rights 7. Key rulings: Addington, Santosky, and Troxel explained 8. How states use it to sue attorneys general for the public 9. Startling statistics on foster care and guardianship today 10. Why "absolute" power is never truly unlimited Parens patriae, Latin for "parent of the country," is the legal doctrine allowing the state to protect those who cannot protect themselves: children, incapacitated adults, and the mentally ill. Born from medieval English royal prerogative, it crossed the Atlantic and became the foundation for juvenile courts, child protective services, and guardianship law. Landmark Supreme Court cases like In re Gault and Santosky v. Kramer added constitutional guardrails, proving that even this ancient power has limits. From opioid settlements to foster care statistics, this doctrine quietly shapes millions of American lives every day. Learn more about Absolute Parens Patriae by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/05/absolute-parens-patriae/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #ParensPatriae,#JuvenileJustice,#ChildProtection,#FamilyLaw,#Guardianship,#SupremeCourt,#InReGault,#DueProcess,#FosterCare,#LegalHistory,#KidLaw,#ACNJ Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 25 · 17 min
Winkelman v. Parma City School District
Winkelman v. Parma City School District Your child's IEP isn't enough, you lost the hearing, and you can't afford a lawyer. In 2007 the Supreme Court told parents to walk in anyway. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. Why Winkelman v. Parma City School District changed IDEA cases 2. How parents gained independent, enforceable rights under IDEA 3. What "party aggrieved" means and why it opens federal court 4. How parents may litigate pro se, without hiring an attorney 5. Jacob Winkelman's IEP dispute and the Sixth Circuit dismissal 6. Why Justice Scalia concurred in part and dissented in part 7. How FAPE claims reach substance, not merely procedure 8. What frivolous-suit attorney fee rules mean for districts 9. How districts must tighten every IEP step and record 10. Why Arlington Central v. Murphy still limits cost recovery Decided at 550 U.S. 516, this ruling reversed a Sixth Circuit holding that non-lawyer parents could not sue on their child's behalf. Seven Justices agreed that the parent-child relationship creates a genuine legal interest in a child's education, so families may bring civil actions themselves after exhausting administrative remedies. The fallout runs both directions: advocacy organizations gained a durable tool for low-income households, while administrators face sharper review of every meeting, notice, and signature. This broadcast walks through the holding, the partial dissent, the fee-shifting safety valve, and the questions the Court deliberately left open. Learn more about Winkelman v. Parma City School District by visiting https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/18/winkelman-v-parma-city-school-district/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan, Esq. - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #Winkelman,#IDEA,#SpecialEducation,#IEP,#FAPE,#ProSe,#DisabilityRights,#SupremeCourt,#ParentalRights,#EducationLaw,#Autism,#SchoolLaw,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#AdvocatesForChildrenOfNewJersey,#StudentRights,#DueProcess,#PartyAggrieved,#AccessToJustice,#ParmaCitySchoolDistrict Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 23 · 15 min
USA Uninterrupted Scholars Act
USA Uninterrupted Scholars Act Four schools in one year. That is the reality for many children in foster care — and a 2013 federal law was written to stop the churn. On January 14, 2013, Congress passed the Uninterrupted Scholars Act, amending FERPA so a child's education records can finally travel as fast as the child does. This broadcast unpacks what changed, who it protects, and how it plays out in courtrooms, front offices, and classrooms. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. Why the Act became Public Law 112-278 in January 2013 2. How it amends FERPA, the 1974 student privacy statute 3. When schools may release records without parental consent 4. Which agencies and tribal organizations actually qualify 5. How the clarified court order exception works in practice 6. Why parents already in a case receive no duplicative notice 7. What confidentiality and redisclosure limits agencies face 8. How faster records speed juvenile dependency proceedings 9. What administrators must document with every disclosure 10. How ESSA, IDEA guidance and FAFSA updates widened its reach A caseworker who cannot get a transcript cannot get a child enrolled. This law removes that hurdle, letting districts hand grades, attendance, and IEPs directly to the agency legally responsible for a student's care and protection. We trace the six key provisions, the courtroom consequences, and the administrative duties that come attached — including the five-year lockout for improper redisclosure. We also examine what the statute does not do: it never strips a parent's own right to their child's records, and it does not cover children served by an agency but never placed in foster care. One goal throughout — education that does not stop when a placement does. Learn more about USA Uninterrupted Scholars Act by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/13/usa-uninterrupted-scholars-actaa-lrp-type-post-template/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan, Esq. - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #UninterruptedScholarsAct,#FosterCare,#FERPA,#PublicLaw112278,#EducationalStability,#ChildWelfare,#FosterYouth,#SchoolOfOrigin,#FosteringConnections,#JuvenileLaw,#DependencyCourt,#ChildAdvocacy,#EducationLaw,#StudentRecords,#SpecialEducation,#IDEA,#ESSA,#IEP,#Caseworkers,#SchoolEnrollment,#SchoolToPrisonPipeline,#JuvenileLawCenter,#ChildrensRights,#EducationPolicy,#ACNJ,#Kidlaw,#LetsTalkKids Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
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September 21 · 16 min
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 You had the skills. You had the experience. Before 1964, being turned away for who you are was perfectly legal. Title VII changed that forever. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS BROADCAST 1. The five protected traits every covered U.S. employer must respect 2. Who Title VII reaches, and the 15-employee threshold that triggers it 3. Disparate treatment vs. disparate impact, explained in plain English 4. How the EEOC investigates, conciliates, and sues to enforce the law 5. Why Bostock (2020) extended coverage to LGBTQ+ workers nationwide 6. What schools, parents, and children gain from fair hiring practices Passed at the height of the civil rights movement, this single statute rewired American working life, reaching hiring, firing, training, promotion, pay, and benefits across private companies, government agencies, unions, and schools. It outlawed harassment and retaliation, gave victims back pay, reinstatement, attorney's fees, and damages, and became the template for the ADEA, the ADA, and GINA. Its reach keeps growing through amendments, EEOC guidance, and Supreme Court rulings. We break down how the law works, who it shields, why administrators treat it as a daily duty, and how its protections quietly follow a paycheck home to the family. Learn more about Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by visiting https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/13/title-vii-of-the-civil-rights-act-of-1964/ SOCIAL & WEB LINKS Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org PODCAST LINKS Buzzsprout Link: https://kidlaw.buzzsprout.com Apple Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kidlaw/id1896798336 Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/033liLtlloBnXvjIJac6Z3?si=cbfc7e412df24c3c CONTACTS mcoogan@acnj.org - Mary Coogan, Esq. - Host of Let's Talk Kids | CEO of ACNJ npeckman@acnj.org - Nina Peckman, Esq. - Staff Attorney vjabon@acnj.org - Viggo Jabon - Multimedia Specialist at ACNJ Carter@DiedreMoire.com - Maxine E Carter - Producer #TitleVII,#CivilRightsAct1964,#EmploymentLaw,#EEOC,#WorkplaceDiscrimination,#EqualOpportunity,#Bostock,#DisparateImpact,#Retaliation,#PregnancyDiscriminationAct,#SchoolAdministration,#ChildAdvocacy,#Kidlaw,#ACNJ,#LetsTalkKids,#KnowYourRights,#HRCompliance,#WorkplaceHarassment,#EquityPlans,#LaborRights Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice. This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney. The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.
- Transcript

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