Welcome to
MoDE Foundation
Special Education Advocacy
We are parents, providers, family members, engaged citizens, and friends of varying abilities with a focus on disability issues that really matter!
This includes YOU!
MoDE Foundation welcomes Special Education Attorney, James Gallini, to Columbia.
Special Education Station/Legal Advocacy Fund
Assisting families and school teams to collaborate for better outcomes.
Do you have questions about your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 Plan, or anything else related to special education? Join MoDE Foundation and community partners at the monthly free Special Education Station. This is a free monthly, walk-in event where advocates, attorneys and other community resources will be on hand to review and discuss your questions around special education.
Grants to cover the cost of legal or advocacy services are available, if additional assistance if needed beyond the Education Station. Grants are subject to application and approval.
RestroomApp
Restroom needs should not limit people from living their lives as they desire.
Three years ago RestroomApp.org was created to identify where accessible restrooms are in public. This interactive map of gender neutral, family restrooms and universal changing stations throughout the country is now available as an app!
Thank you to the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri for their partnership in creating the app!
MoDE Foundation is especially grateful to David Nykodym for initially creating this map for us!
Grants
MoDE Foundation offers grants for disability related issues with a focus on special education. Currently, grants may be available for advocates, attorneys, starting a special education parent group, and music therapy.
Legislative
Since 2018, MoDE Foundation has supported the legislative advocacy work of Missouri Disability Empowerment (MoDE). The organizations partnered together to empower individuals with disabilities through grassroots advocacy and by promoting inclusivity. In the fall of 2022, MoDE Foundation took over the legislative advocacy work of MoDE.
MoDE Foundation is represented by one registered lobbyist in Jefferson City, as well as many volunteer MoDE Foundation advocates We believe anyone can advocate and should advocate. Often it is even a family affair!
News & Events
HB 1163 Hearing Scheduled for 4/5/2023
Wednesday is going to be a busy day!In addition to MoDE Advocacy Day at the Capitol (see event info below), we now also have a hearing in the Education Committee. Keep reading for more information. Why do we need this bill?When a student has disabilities, a team consisting of the parents or guardians, teachers, administrators,…
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ENDS TODAY!
The early bird discount for the Special Education Law Workshop ENDS TODAY 3/31/2023. Register at https://givebutter.com/gallini
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HB 1163 – Call To Action
The Time is NOW! HB1163, parental consent on significant changes to an IEP, needs a hearing in the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, but has not been scheduled yet. We need you to contact the members of this committee, especially the leadership (Rep Pollitt and Rep Baker), and ask for this bill to have a…
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